Dubai: A delegation representing the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), the inter-governmental organisation based in Paris that is responsible for World Expo, arrived in the UAE on Sunday, with an aim to conduct a four-day Enquiry Mission to assess the UAE’s ability to host the World Expo 2020 in Dubai.
The global gathering is expected to attract 25 million visitors.
Welcoming the delegation, Shaikh Ahmad Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline & Group, in his capacity as Chairman of the Higher Committee for Hosting the 2020 World Expo in Dubai, said in a statement: “We are honoured to welcome the BIE Enquiry Mission to the UAE so they can see first-hand the excitement, spirit and support for Expo 2020 exhibited by our multicultural nation. With great pride we look forward to the Mission’s discovery of our capabilities to not only host the event but to make it the best Expo in the event’s 150-year history.”
The Enquiry Mission, led by Steen Christiansen, Chairman of the BIE Executive Committee, follows the UAE’s recent submission of its official Expo bid dossier. The delegation will use the bid dossier as a guide during its mission and discuss the vision behind the country’s bid theme of “Connecting Minds, Creating the Future”, along with expected financial costs, worldwide promotion of the event, expected visitor numbers and the long-term use of the proposed Expo site, Dubai Trade Centre – Jebel Ali, according to the Higher Committee.
The visit will include insights into the country’s key aspects in addition to meeting with the country’s government and business leaders.
“The Enquiry Mission represents a critical stage in our bid to host the World Expo 2020. We have worked diligently to develop a thorough and detailed plan so I am confident that we can portray our capability to host such a mega-event,” said Reem Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State and Managing Director of the Higher Committee for Hosting the World Expo 2020 in Dubai.
As a result of the visit, the Enquiry Mission will prepare a report detailing their recommendation to all BIE member states as to whether Dubai and the UAE would be a feasible host for the World Expo 2020. The report will be presented at the next BIE General Assembly in Paris in June 2013.
