Dubai The UAE has formally launched a campaign as part of its bid for the 2020 World Expo - the largest rotating global exposition.
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, said Shaikh Ahmad Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman of the Higher Committee for hosting the World Expo 2020.
The last World Expo was held in Shanghai, where the UAE participated with a large pavilion.
In November of last year, the UAE officially presented its bid in Paris, France, at the BIE headquarters to host the 2020 World Expo in Dubai. The bid is being led by the Higher Committee for Hosting the 2020 World Expo, which was recently formed by decree by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister, in his capacity as Ruler of Dubai.
Delegation to arrive on Tuesday
Meanwhile, a senior delegation from the organisation that will decide if Dubai, UAE, will be awarded the right to host the World Expo in 2020 arrives in the UAE is due to arrive on Tuesday for the first official visit since the country proposed Dubai as a Candidate City to host the event in eight year’s time.
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, is leading the delegation.
He will hold a series of meetings with high-level decision-makers in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
The UAE is competing against four other international candidate cities: Ayutthaya (Thailand), Ekaterinburg (Russia), Izmir (Turkey) and Sao Paolo (Brazil). The winning bid will be announced by the BIE following a vote by its 160 member nations in November 2013.
Eiffel Tower, Heinz Tomato Ketchup
Since 1851, World Expos have provided unique opportunities for people from across the globe to appreciate the world’s cultural diversity and marvel at its technological wonders. Held every five years for a period of six months, the event attracts millions of visitors.
Highlights of previous World Expos include The Eiffel Tower, which was purpose built to serve as the entrance arch for the 1889 Expo in Paris, France. The first World Expo in the United States, in 1876, is famous for introducing the public to the first telephone, the first commercial typewriter ... and Heinz Tomato Ketchup.
Better City — Better Life
Most recently, the 2010 World Expo was held in Shanghai, China, with the theme “Better City - Better Life”.
More than 73 million people visited, with as many as 1.03 million on just one day – October 16, 2010.
The next World Expo will take place in Milan, Italy, in 2015 with a focus on “Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life”. It is expected to attract 21 million visitors.
The Higher Committee for Hosting the World Expo 2020 was formed by decree by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister, in his capacity as Ruler of Dubai.
His Highness Shaikh Ahmad Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman of Emirates Group, serves as Chairman of the Committee.
Additional committee members include: Mohammad Ebrahim Al Shaibani, Director of Dubai Ruler’s Office, who serves as Deputy Chairman; Reem Al Hashemi, Minister of State and the Committee’s Managing Director; and Ahmad Abdullah Al Shaikh, Director General of Dubai Government Media Office; and Hilal Saeed Al Marri, CEO of Dubai World Trade Centre.
The committee submits regular reports directly to His Highness Shaikh Mohammad on the outcomes, milestones, challenges, solutions, proposals and recommendations towards achieving the ultimate goal of ensuring success in hosting World Expo 2020.
