Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid: UAE expo can connect minds


More than 1,200 years ago, while Europe was in its Dark Ages, the Muslim world was ruled by a dynasty of Islamic leaders who embraced free thought and creativity from all corners of the globe.


Never before had history witnessed such cultural openness and symbiosis as during the reign of the Abbasid Caliphs. They built the world's first university, named it Bayt Al Hikma ("House of Wisdom"), and filled its library with the finest cultural, scientific and literary creations known to mankind.

As early as the 9th century, under the caliph Al Mamoun, Baghdad had become the world's capital of science and culture. The city was renowned for embracing all races and religions. It became a magnet for intellectuals, free thinkers and innovators from East and West. Its people developed a passion for gathering together all of the fruits of mankind's quest for happiness. This celebration of human creativity flourished for more than five centuries and set the stage for the European Renaissance.


Looking at the Middle East and its challenges today, it is tempting to think back to that golden age of Islamic culture with wistful nostalgia for a faraway time. But Al Mamoun's vision is more than ancient history. It is also a solution for the present and the future - a model that we are actively rebuilding, right now.

My own country stands where it stands today because since our inception we have given the utmost priority to the human mind. Our land has always been a safe harbour for great thinkers. We have welcomed innovative minds and given them the freedom to create. By working together, thousands of experts and specialists from the UAE and around the world have built in Dubai the world's tallest skyscraper, the largest man-made islands, the largest automated metro network and the third largest airline in the world. In our capital Abu Dhabi, they built the world's largest carbon-free city, complete with advanced research facilities for renewable energy. Great artistic and cultural minds are collaborating to build a vast cultural and artistic city complete with the greatest international museums.

We have been building on an idea that is more than 1,000 years old. Today we want to extend this vision to an international level.

We want to host Expo 2020 - a global event in which the cultures, innovations and creations of the world will meet in Dubai. We want to welcome more than 25 million people during six months, so they can see the best of what the human mind can achieve across cultures and races. We want to host the greatest minds in the world to share innovative solutions for global challenges that cannot be dealt with in isolation.
Expo 2020 will bring together expert thinkers to share inventive ways to deal with pressing issues such as energy and water. Great minds will also come together to share smart solutions for transportation, sustainability and global economic stability.

When we proposed to host the world's biggest cultural event, we promised to astonish the world. Today we pledge to breathe life into our slogan: we will bring minds together for a better future.

We propose to host this international event in 2020 to deliver three important messages.


Our first message is to tell the world that the Middle East is not a region of conflict, war and tension. Its history and geography prove that this is a region where cultures, civilisations and innovation can meet and flourish. Initiatives such as Expo 2020 are an opportunity to restore this role by playing host to the world, communicating positively and openly with its diverse cultures, accepting and embracing ideas and interacting with all people.

Read more: http://www.thenational.ae/thenationalconversation/comment/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-uae-expo-can-connect-minds#ixzz2WecxtirE 
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Thursday, June 13, 2013

Transport me! : DUBAI, THE CITY OF THE FUTURE

On French chanel TV LCP...

Documentary about Dubai on the occasion of the candidacy for EXPO 2020!

A monthly magazine (26 ') presented by Sabine QUINDOU
Offered by Gerard Feldzer and Bernard VAILLOT

This month, "transport me! "Went to the United Arab Emirates, on the occasion of the bid of the city of Dubai at the Universal Exhibition of 2020, with the theme:" Connecting Minds - Building the future. "The aerotropolis concept: while most airports are located farther away from urban centers, the Aerotropolis philosophy offers the reverse. The airport is located in the heart of Dubai, with a pharaonic project of € 33 billion! True "hub", the city of 140 km2 combines a seaport by channeling 12 million tons of cargo, an airport able to accommodate 120 million passengers, a business city, shopping centers and homes.

Masdar sustainable city: the UAE more than elsewhere, it is crucial to develop innovative projects for the generation, transmission and consumption of natural resources. The main challenges are to ensure universal access to energy and water, and to promote the adoption by all the principle of sustainable development. Concrete example with Masdar, "sustainable city" in the middle of the desert that runs on solar energy.

Burj Khalifa: how works the world's tallest tower, which rises to 828 meters work?

A century of world expositions: From London 1851 in Yeosu (South Korea) in 2012 via Paris, New York and San Francisco, back on these events, real showcases of human genius, who scored and transformed cities and host countries. The France itself wishes to be a candidate for 2025.

LCP / Galaxie Presse co-production.
with partners MAAF Assurance et ADEME support.

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Next diffusions on french TV :


24/24        samedi 15 juin 2013 à 23h25
24/24        dimanche 16 juin 2013 à 08h00
LCPdimanche 16 juin 2013 à 08h20
24/24        dimanche 16 juin 2013 à 20h30
24/24        lundi 17 juin 2013 à 12h00
24/24        lundi 17 juin 2013 à 23h55
LCPmardi 18 juin 2013 à 00h00
24/24        mardi 18 juin 2013 à 13h25
24/24        samedi 22 juin 2013 à 10h30
LCPsamedi 22 juin 2013 à 10h30
LCPlundi 24 juin 2013 à 09h25
24/24        lundi 24 juin 2013 à 09h30
LCPmercredi 26 juin 2013 à 03h30
24/24        mercredi 26 juin 2013 à 03h35
24/24        mercredi 26 juin 2013 à 21h30
LCPmercredi 26 juin 2013 à 21h30
LCPdimanche 30 juin 2013 à 08h00
24/24        dimanche 30 juin 2013 à 08h00



Wednesday, June 12, 2013

The "Russian" empire strike back ... Ekaterinburg 2020

Also as part of the 153th General Assembly of the BIE, the second evening of reception had been reserved by the Russian bid of Ekaterinburg 2020.
In answer to Dubai, which was particularly well illustrated during their evening in November 2012, it appears that the Russians had wanted to be very strong, but relying on another register.

I remember these events, evenings in marges of the General Assemblies of the BIE are of course better to know the candidates and the culture of their country, but also to prove to the guests, most of whom are delegates from member countries of the BIE, the involvement of the main advantages of the bid, with a reception of quality, which also involved personalities supporting the project.

We saw Monday, Sao Paulo 2020 has chosen for its reception a place in direct relation with the Expos, the Palais de Chaillot, built for the International Exhibition of 1937 in Paris, it was the same for Ekaterinburg Expo 2020, with a very prestigious place, linked to the most famous of the universal Exhibition that took place in Paris, also a reflection of the Franco-Russian friendship ... a symbol!

Indeed, it is at the foot of the Grand Palais and the Pont Alexandre III that Russia's bid was chosen to install this event!
As for the reception itself? this is actually the Russian Empire, in all its splendor and its classicism, which had made ​​an appointment to all BIE delegates. I rather not go into the details of the evening, you can watch the photos below.

The Ekaterinburg reception along the Seine, at the foot of the Pont Alexandre III.

So what's about the Russian bid? what are his chances?

Of the five candidates in the presence (Turkey - Thailand - Russia - UAE - Brazil), it is clear that the two tenors Dubai and Ekaterinburg, to keep it simple, on each side, deep pockets and a strong desire to accomplish but there will be only one winner!


But money is not everything, many criteria are taken into account, the criteria that will be decisive for the BIE delegates during the votes in next November.

Already, we can't say that one of these two candidates shines the light of the chosen theme ... Dubai is interested in "Connectivity" (similar to the Belgian candidate for 2017 theme) and Ekaterinburg in "The Planetary Spirit: The Future of Globalization and its impact on our world," they summed up in "Global Mind, "but not much more explicit ... and as to approach the theme of Ayutthaya, but much less understandable. Moreover, it has been observed many times they struggle to explain the concept of this topic.


But if the theme is one thing, the whole project is another much larger and complex, this project has been submitted to the BIE enquiry mission from 25 to 29 March 2013.
The project had the approval of BIE about the prerequisites, and appears in the good average of the Expos project. With 32 million visitors expected, the candidacy of Ekaterinburg provides a most popular event in the case of Dubai, which is especially international visitors. We still have to remember that these Expos are primarily large public events, it is an undeniable point in favor of Ekaterinburg.
However, the Russian still need to work hard to reassure, persuade, and to be very honest.

We will see after this 153th BIE General Assembly if the presentations of different teams have made real new elements, and if the balance between the candidates has changed.




Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Sao Paulo Expo 2020 ... still in the race ?

On 11 and 12 June 2013 will be held the 153th General Assembly of the BIE.
On the sidelines of this event, bids organize receptions where guests are the various delegations and BIE member countries. This is an opportunity to involve personalities candidate countries who come to Paris to give their support, at a party as festive as friendly.
Monday, June 10, 2013, it was the turn of Brazil, Sao Paulo candidate city to host this event, followed by a concert of Brazilian music with the famous singer Daniela Mercury, all in the magnificent setting and very "EXPO" Palais de Chaillot.

The governor of Sao Paulo, Geraldo Alckmin, the mayor of Sao Paulo, Fernando Haddad and Vice President Michel Temer were present to give their unconditional support.

If we could lament over a year since the lack of communication from the Brazilian candidacy, though it appears to be determined to work hard until the vote in November 2013.
But that leaves only six months to convince, 6 months is short!

Brazilian candidacy has many advantages, starting with its theme: "The Power of Diversity, Harmony for Growth", which is one of the most understandable current five nominations themes.
It is worth remembering that the theme of the Expo is important, and it must be clear, easily identifiable and understandable, and be at the heart of current concerns of humanity.

But waiting for the presentations of 12 June 2013 the General Assembly of the BIE for the real "temperature" of this application!

Meanwhile, some images of the evening Sao Paulo Expo 2020 in Paris, Palais de Chaillot :

Accueil au Palais de Chaillot.

S.E.M. Jose Mauricio Bustani, Ambassadeur du Brésil à Paris, Geraldo Alckmin, gouverneur de Sao Paulo et Fernando Haddad, maire de Sao Paulo.

Fernando Haddad, maire de Sao Paulo

 Geraldo Alckmin, gouverneur de Sao Paulo.
Michel Temer, Vice-Président du Brésil.

Geraldo Alckmin, Daniela Mercury et Fernando Haddad.

Une ambiance survoltée, grâce à la musique brésilienne !



Monday, June 3, 2013

Hello 2020 - Newletter n12 May 2013

Welcome to the May edition of Hello 2020. This month’s focus is on mobility, with innovative approaches to logistics and transportation a key sub-theme of the UAE bid to host World Expo 2020 in Dubai.

As future world populations prepare to be overwhelmingly urban, governments and policy-makers need to make cities better places in which to live, keeping sustainability front of mind at all times.

Download Hello 2020 - Newletter n12 May 2013 PDF



UAE Expo 2020 Bid News
- Africa Business Forum uses Dubai as a platform to reach out to global markets
- Mobility in Dubai goes green with new cycling tracks
- London Mayor backs Dubai’s Expo 2020 bid


FOCUS
Going Places
With business and work transformed by global mobility and the internet,
Hello 2020 investigates how a new generation of entrepreneurs and talent is dissolving borders



INTERVIEW
Q&A - ‘We have to shift our relationship with information and understand “big data” as an integral part of our environment’
Carlo Ratti, architect, engineer and Director of the MIT SENSEable City Laboratory
and Dietmar Offenhuber, a media artist and research fellow at the MIT SENSEable City Laboratory, discuss the opportunities and challenges of planning technology into the city.

World Expo Legacy :
Shanghai World Expo, 2010

Global Events Agenda
- UITP World Congress
Geneva, Switzerland, 26-30 May
- World Economic Forum on The Middle East and North Africa
Dead Sea, Jordan, 24-26 May
- European conference on Mobility Management
Gävle, Sweden, 29-31 May
- International Conference on Advanced Logistics and Transport
Sousse, Tunisia, 29-31 May

The Big Picture
Electric taxis are now being introduced in Costa Rica as part of a ‘Green Taxi’ initiative.