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Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid hosted a meeting with the Supreme Committee for Disaster and Crisis Management in Dubai on Thursday to discuss the country's readiness for Expo 2020 Dubai.
The Vice President and Ruler of Dubai praised the team responsible for the safety of the event - which also managed the emirate’s response to the pandemic - and said "they were up to the responsibility in the past period".
"We have great expectations from them during the upcoming Expo period, and our national way of dealing with the pandemic was a wise model that balanced health and economic aspects," Sheikh Mohammed said on Twitter.
During the meeting, Sheikh Mohammed was briefed about the preparations for Expo 2020 Dubai and the readiness of all local and federal agencies ahead of the event.
Expo 2020 Dubai will open its doors to visitors on October 1 and run for six months. The world fair was delayed for a year by the pandemic, but will now go ahead with additional safety precautions in place, including mandatory mask-wearing and social distancing.
The meeting included a review of all the arrangements in place to protect the health and safety of exhibitors and delegations representing 190 countries, as well the millions of visitors who are set to visit Expo 2020.
The UAE has, in recent months, hosted a number of large-scale in-person events, including Gitex, Arab Health and Arabian Travel Market.
Sheikh Mohammed expressed his confidence in the arrangements in place to host a safe global event.
“The UAE has become a unique model to the world in its ability to address different challenges and discover new opportunities," said Sheikh Mohammed.
"The UAE’s response to the Covid-19 outbreak was one that was based on teamwork and effective co-ordination between various teams at the national level."
He said the plans in place to host Expo 2020 will guarantee that it will be a safe and enjoyable event for visitors.
“I’m confident in our teams’ ability to ensure Expo 2020 is held in an environment that embraces the highest global benchmarks of safety and security," said Sheikh Mohammed.
"We have all the technical capabilities, human resources and field measures required to ensure the best atmosphere for our guests.”
During the meeting, Sheikh Mohammed was presented with the emirate’s strategic pandemic response plans. Currently, Dubai’s screening and vaccination centres are able to conduct 60,000 PCR tests and provide 30,000 vaccine doses daily.
There are also 1,000 field inspectors in Dubai working to ensure all precautionary measures are being implemented. Additionally, there are 2,500 volunteers supporting the emirate’s Covid-19 response plans.
Take a tour of Expo 2020 Dubai - in pictures
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Laser lights will dart out of the ceiling as part of a dazzling light installation at the France Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai. Photo: France Pavilion Expo 2020 -
Claude Monet's famous Water Lilies oil painting is the inspiration for the France Pavilion at the Expo 2020 Dubai. Photo: France Pavilion Expo 2020 -
Solar panels line the roof and façade of the France pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai. Photo: France Pavilion Expo 2020 -
A 'Pavilion of Lights' is how the France Pavilion will be described at Expo 2020 Dubai. Photo: France Pavilion Expo 2020 -
The design of the Luxembourg Pavilion echoes an object with no boundaries. Photo: Luxembourg Pavilion -
The Luxembourg Pavilion at the World Expo in Dubai comprises of a three-storey slide made of plexi-glass and stainless steel. Photo: Luxembourg Pavilion -
A slide will take visitors past lush trees and plants inside the Luxembourg Pavilion. Photo: Luxembourg Pavilion -
Reem Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation and Cecilie Hollberg, director of the Galleria dell’Accademia Di Firenze, during the unveiling ceremony of the David statue at the Italy pavilion at the Expo 2020 site in Dubai in April. -
A 3D copy of the famous David statue is the centrepiece of the Italy pavilion at Expo 2020 in Dubai. -
A lifesize model of the David statue inside the Italy Pavilion at Expo 2020 in Dubai is the most realistic copy of the world's most famous marble masterpiece. -
Three boat hulls that resemble a large wave form the roof of the Italian Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai. Photo: Italy Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai -
A view of the Italy pavilion at the Expo 2020 site during construction in April. -
A statue in the Mobility Pavilion. Photo: Dubai Expo 2020 -
The Dubai Expo will open its doors in October. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai -
An aerial view of the Dubai Expo site. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai. -
Aerial general view of the Sustainability Pavilion.
