When Dubai formally launched its bid to host the "greatest show on earth" in 2012, it had already been under discussion for three years.
In June 2009, a working group was set up by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, to explore the potential of Dubai hosting Expo 2020.
Two years later, in November 2011, the UAE sent a letter to the Bureau International des Expositions in Paris, naming Dubai as a candidate city for Expo 2020. Sheikh Mohammed tweeted: “Today we launched our campaign to host the World Expo 2020 in UAE.”
It was in 2012, however, that the Higher Committee for Hosting the World Expo 2020 formed and the official bid was launched. An international campaign followed, promoting the theme Connecting Minds, Creating the Future.
It was the fifth city to bid — the others being Sao Paulo in Brazil, Ayutthaya in Thailand, Ekaterinburg in Russia and Izmir in Turkey — and followed the widespread acclaim for the UAE Pavilion at the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai, which won two architecture awards and attracted two million visitors.
Dubai's bid was a popular one and even garnered some leftfield celebrity endorsements, including Pamela Anderson, Lindsay Lohan and Miley Cyrus’s mother Tish.
In November that same year the bid team unveiled the masterplan for the proposed Expo site, called Dubai Trade Centre ― Jebel Ali, and the next month a 623-page dossier, setting out plans, was submitted to BIE.
There's very little downside to doing this
Rohit Talwar,
chief executive, Fast Future
"Economically, it [Dubai's bid] makes incredible sense," said Rohit Talwar, the chief executive of the consultancy Fast Future, which was conducting research into the future of convention centres at the time.
"It will drive a huge amount of traffic to the country. It will benefit the airlines, it will benefit the local hotels and the economy. There's very little downside to doing this."
Thankfully, BIE clearly agreed with Mr Talwar, and a year later Dubai was named as host city for Expo 2020 at the BIE general assembly in Paris, triggering huge celebrations across the emirate.
With 10 years of hindsight, of course, we know Mr Talwar was right on all counts. Despite a one-year delay owing to the Covid-19 pandemic, a 35,000 workforce, including tens of thousands of volunteers, went on to stage the first world’s fair in the Middle East, attracting millions of visitors from all over the world, including high-profile world leaders and politicians, such as Britain's Prince William, as well as renowned celebrities such as Cristiano Ronaldo.
Scroll through the gallery below to see what celebrities and leaders had to say about Expo 2020 Dubai
Dubai was already firmly on the world's tourism map, but Expo undoubtedly cemented its reputation as a world-class destination.
Almost three months after Expo 2020 Dubai closed its successful six-month run, its transformation into Expo City Dubai was announced. The legacy city will offer visitors a “world-class experience” including access to pavilions with new offerings, a museum and leisure facilities, not to mention that many of the world fair's most popular attractions will still be available, including Al Wasl Dome and the striking water feature.
The 4.38-square-kilometre site will cater to visitors as well as residents of the 2,000 apartments. There are plans to expand these neighbourhoods to help the legacy site fully transform into a thriving community, made up of tenants, homeowners, businesses and attractions.
It may have started as a mere bid 10 years ago, but there is plenty of mileage in the Expo journey yet.
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
Chef Nobu's advice for eating sushi
“One mistake people always make is adding extra wasabi. There is no need for this, because it should already be there between the rice and the fish.
“When eating nigiri, you must dip the fish – not the rice – in soy sauce, otherwise the rice will collapse. Also, don’t use too much soy sauce or it will make you thirsty. For sushi rolls, dip a little of the rice-covered roll lightly in soy sauce and eat in one bite.
“Chopsticks are acceptable, but really, I recommend using your fingers for sushi. Do use chopsticks for sashimi, though.
“The ginger should be eaten separately as a palette cleanser and used to clear the mouth when switching between different pieces of fish.”
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
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The specs
Engine: four-litre V6 and 3.5-litre V6 twin-turbo
Transmission: six-speed and 10-speed
Power: 271 and 409 horsepower
Torque: 385 and 650Nm
Price: from Dh229,900 to Dh355,000
Liverpool's all-time goalscorers
Ian Rush 346
Roger Hunt 285
Mohamed Salah 250
Gordon Hodgson 241
Billy Liddell 228
Mobile phone packages comparison
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Starring: Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenny Ortega
Director: Tim Burton
Rating: 3/5
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Evacuations to France hit by controversy
- Over 500 Gazans have been evacuated to France since November 2023
- Evacuations were paused after a student already in France posted anti-Semitic content and was subsequently expelled to Qatar
- The Foreign Ministry launched a review to determine how authorities failed to detect the posts before her entry
- Artists and researchers fall under a programme called Pause that began in 2017
- It has benefited more than 700 people from 44 countries, including Syria, Turkey, Iran, and Sudan
- Since the start of the Gaza war, it has also included 45 Gazan beneficiaries
- Unlike students, they are allowed to bring their families to France
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GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
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The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
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Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
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Who was Alfred Nobel?
The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.
- In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
- Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
- Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
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MATCH INFO
Syria v Australia
2018 World Cup qualifying: Asia fourth round play-off first leg
Venue: Hang Jebat Stadium (Malacca, Malayisa)
Kick-off: Thursday, 4.30pm (UAE)
Watch: beIN Sports HD
* Second leg in Australia scheduled for October 10
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Palestine and Israel - live updates
The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Transmission: seven-speed auto
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
