Expo 2020 site masterplan unveiled in Paris

Expo 2020 team reveal plans for Dubai Trade Centre-Jebel Ali 
to support country’s 2020 World Expo bid.

Dubai, UAE; November 23rd, 2012: In a major step for the UAE’s 2020 World Expo campaign, the Expo 2020 team unveiled the masterplan for Dubai Trade Centre-Jebel Ali, the proposed site to host the six-month event if the country’s bid is successful. The site was selected due to its strategic location, equidistant between Dubai and Abu Dhabi and adjacent to the Dubai World Central airport and Jebel Ali Port, providing ease of access for the millions of international and local visitors expected. The unveiling took place in Paris, France, during a presentation at the 152nd General Assembly of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), the intergovernmental body in charge of overseeing the bidding, selection and organisation of World Expos.

The site masterplan, which was designed by HOK, Populus and Arup, is a manifestation of the country’s Expo bid theme: Connecting Minds, Creating the Future. At the core of the site isan open plaza called Al Wasl (“the connection”) – a historical name for Dubai, and branching out from the plaza are three main zones that symbolise the bid’s sub themes of sustainability, mobility and opportunity. Inspired by traditional Arab souks, the site integrates the UAE’s unique architectural heritage and environment of vibrancy and trade with the requirements of the Expo to foster the fundamental principles of innovation, partnership and collaboration between participants and visitors.

Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State and Managing Director of the Higher Committee for Hosting the 2020 World Expo in Dubai, highlighted the site’s visitor capacity and plans for its long-term use after 2020.

“Today, we are very pleased to share the masterplan for Dubai Trade Centre-Jebel Ali, our proposed site to host the 2020 World Expo,” Her Excellency said. “This 438-hectare site will be one of the largest ever used for a World Expo and will ensure an unforgettable experience for the event’s 25 million visitors, who will collectively make upwards of 33 million visits. Throughout the development process, we have also sought to ensure that the site will serve as a permanent attraction beyond 2020 and will enhance further the UAE’s long-term appeal as a premier destination for high-profile global events.”

The design is aligned to the legacy proposition and future use of the site, with the main walkways shaded by a photovoltaic fabric structure, which will capture solar energy to generate clean power, plus contribute nearly 50 per cent of the power requirements that are needed for Expo.

Commenting on the environmental sustainability of the site, Mr. Helal Saeed Al Marri, CEO of Dubai World Trade Centre, said: “Legacy planning will be deployed at the earliest stages of Expo preparations, leveraging every opportunity for Dubai Expo 2020 to re-energise research, innovation and collaboration across the site, and truly resonating the core principles of our bid theme and sub themes. Every element of the masterplan has been designed with due consideration to its after-life and with a defined strategy for re-use, striking a balance between long-term requirements for the city as well as the six months of Expo operations. The Dubai Trade Centre-Jebel Ali Site has been master-planned to create a legacy in environmental sustainability for the BIE and the global community, while delivering a cost-efficient and viable infrastructure for Dubai and the region.”

This presentation is the third of five opportunities the UAE will have to formally support its bid to the BIE in the lead up to the November 2013 selection of the host nation for the Expo. The night preceding the presentation, the Expo 2020 team welcomed members of the international diplomatic community, including BIE officials, to a special Expo 2020 reception at the Palais Garnier to celebrate the country’s bid.

Dubai, UAE, is competing against four other candidate cities bidding to host the 2020 World Expo, including Ayutthaya (Thailand); Ekaterinburg (Russia); Izmir (Turkey); and Sao Paulo (Brazil).

The winning city will be announced in November 2013 following a vote by the 161 member nations of the BIE.


Site Web : www.expo2020dubai.ae
Facebook : www.facebook.com/DubaiExpo2020
Twitter : @Dubaiexpo2020

BLOG : http://expo2020-dubai.blogspot.fr/

Expo 2020 DUBAI UAE in Paris - November 21, 2012

Yesterday evening at the Paris Opera, the candidature of Dubai had an appointment with the world of Expos during an evening that will stay I think, memorable for all attendees.

Dubai Expo 2020, to present its candidature for Expo 2020 chose a prestigious setting, which we imagine, is quite in mind that Dubai and the UAE want to give in this project.

Imagination and power are certainly the key words of this bid always very dynamic and innovative.
Of course, as everyone will have noticed, this is a candidacy that provides the means to get there, and that is certainly very strong.

This is already the shock when we arrive at the place of the event. For the occasion, the UAE bid gave to the Paris Opera a beautiful dress of blue lighting, recalling the color of the candidacy of Expo 2020 Dubai.
It's also noted that the Parisians and tourists passing seem amazed, admiring and discovering this monument beautifully and artistically dressed!

It was not a simple reception, but already a full evening to learn about Dubai's project, in a very fun and very "Expo" in the form of an initiation, somewhat similar to the visit a real pavilion, such as those you can find in the real World Expos!

After a very warm welcome and well organized, we can visit the gallery, where panels, displays, models and fabulous decors informed us about the content of the Dubai bid, on its goals and expectations.

Needless to comment on the reactions of the guests. Members of various diplomatic corps, the delegates of the Bureau International des Expositions, delegations ... everyone appreciated the effort to implement a pleasant and entertaining presentation of this application.

It was a little hard to leave this long gallery of the pavilion, with so many interests.

We also have the pleasure of meeting a group of young people win a contest organized by Expo 2020 Dubai UAE, on an artistic creation in different fields, supporting the bid. We extend our warmest congratulations.

It's now time to continue the tour and visit the Grand Foyer of the Opéra de Paris, a welcome cocktail.

The Grand Foyer for this event is indeed a great choice.
The reception actually starts at 20h, with a nice concert by Sara Al Qaiwani, the famous soprano UAE. Pure bliss!

Sara Al Qaiwani, international Emirati opera singer.

Then we hear the welcome speech of His Highness Sheikh bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Higher Committee for the World Expo 2020 bid and Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State, and Managing Director of the Higher Committee for the World Expo 2020 bid.

His Highness Sheikh bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Higher Committee for the World Expo 2020 bid.

Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State, and Managing Director of the Higher Committee for the World Expo 2020 bid.

If something appears mainly in these speeches, it's the immense will of Dubai to organize this Expo, we can even speak of a national concern! Surrounded by a team of quality professionals, they want to put themselves in a strong position to achieve their goals.
Then, we have the pleasure of listening to an exclusive performance of the famous international singer Leona Lewis, a feast for the ears ... performance will continue again in the evening after dinner.

International headline artist, Leona Lewis.

What about the reception?
Certainly, Dubai wants Expo 2020 ... and is already showing his power and will. There is no doubt that this means this candidacy is ready to be implemented in order to organize this global event in 8 years !

Expo 2020 Dubai is also understood that the next deadline is in one year, and every minute counts in this bidn process. Don't waste time and prove to everyone, including delegates from the Bureau International des Expositions, the value of the application Dubai, around the theme chosen for this strong future Expo: "Connecting Minds, Creating the Future" .

We look forward to the presentations today at the 152nd General Assembly of the BIE.

International Business Authority gets behind Dubai Expo Bid

MIDDLE EAST - The Ajman Free Zone Authority (AFZA) in Dubai has pledged its support for the emirate's bid to host the 2020 World Expo as the official partner.

The 16-year old AFZA is a body responsible for the economic expansion of Dubai, and is currently overseeing the development of Ajman Free Zone, an area created to attract 4,000 international businesses operating on an unrestricted basis in Dubai.

Dubai is competing to stage the 2020 World Expo with four other cities including Sao Paulo (Brazil), Ayutthaya (Thailand); Izmir (Turkey) and Ekaterinburg (Russia).

The AFZA confirmed its support for Dubai's bid at the third Creativity Without Borders exhibition in the Ajman Free Zone.

Commenting on Dubai's bid for the event, the representative of the ruler of Ajman for financial and administrative affairs and chairman of Ajman Free Zone Authority, Sheikh Ahmed bin Humeed Al Nuaimi, said: "We at the Ajman Free Zone Authority pledge our support for the country's Expo 2020 bid with the full confidence that the UAE has a unique ability to host a truly global event of this scale.

“Ajman Free Zone Authority is fully committed to supporting this important nationwide effort and will promote the bid through a wide range of initiatives to raise awareness among our internal and external stakeholders."

The winning bid will be announced on November 2013 following a vote by the 161 member nations of the Bureau International des Expositions, the intergovernmental organisation in charge of overseeing the calendar, bidding, selection and organisation of the World Expo, held every five years.

Authorities in the United Arab Emirates have introduced a multiple entry visa for businessmen, property investors and cruise passengers, following three years of negotiation.