UAE launches campaign to host 2020 World Expo in Dubai

The United Arab Emirates launched today the country’s campaign to host the 2020 World Expo in Dubai. Following an official bid submitted under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, the global campaign will underscore why Dubai is the ideal candidate to host this international event that takes place once every five years.

The campaign kicked off in parallel with the first official visit to the UAE, since the country submitted its bid in November, by Mr. Vicente Gonzalez Loscertales, Secretary General of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), the intergovernmental organisation in charge of overseeing the calendar, bidding, selection, and organisation of World and International Expos. During his visit to the country, the BIE Secretary General is meeting a range of high-level decision-makers in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

Under the theme, “Connecting Minds, Creating the Future,” the 2020 World Expo in Dubai will serve as a global hub for ideas and a springboard for creativity, according to His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of the Emirates Group, and Chairman of the Higher Committee for Hosting the 2020 World Expo.

Addressing regional and international media at a briefing today in Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Ahmed said, “Since 1851, World Expos have provided significant opportunities to engage the world community in a shared project. This is also our goal, here in Dubai, where we unite peoples and cultures from across the globe every day.”

“Expos are unique events of international cooperation dedicated to the communication of innovation and the promotion of global dialogue,” said Mr. Loscertales. “We look forward to learning more about the UAE project, its vision and its bid campaign for hosting World Expo 2020 in Dubai.”

Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State and Managing Director of the Higher Committee for Hosting the 2020 World Expo, said that “By connecting people, which lies at the heart of our vision as a cosmopolitan nation, we can foster greater cooperation and understanding between peoples and cultures. By connecting minds, we celebrate our common aspirations and work to create a brighter future. That is our vision for the 2020 World Expo in Dubai.”

The UAE has proposed hosting the six-month Expo at “Exhibition City,” a 400-hectare site to be constructed on the southwestern edge of Dubai, adjacent to Dubai World Central, home to Al Maktoum International Airport, which will host the 2013 Dubai Airshow.

In November of last year, the UAE officially presented its bid to the BIE in Paris, France, to host the World Expo in Dubai between January 4-June 30, 2020. The bid is being led by the Higher Committee for Hosting the 2020 World Expo.

The winner among the five candidate cities – which include Ayutthaya (Thailand); Ekaterinburg (Russia); Izmir (Turkey); and Sao Paulo (Brazil) – will be announced by the BIE following a vote by its 160 member nations in November 2013.

Source : http://expo2020dubai.ae

Dubai, UAE Expo 2020 launches its bid at a press conference in Dubai. Pictured, from left to right: Mr Hilal Saeed Al Marri, CEO of Dubai World Trade Centre; Mr Vicente Gonzalez Loscertales, Secretary General of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE); His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of the Emirates Group, and Chairman of the Higher Committee for Hosting the 2020 World Expo; Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State and Managing Director of the Higher Committee for Hosting the 2020 World Expo.