Paris: Reem Al Hashemi, Minister of State and Managing Director of the Higher Committee for Hosting the World Expo 2020, spoke to delegates of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) at the final presentations to hold the World Expo in 2020.
She pledged to the audience the UAE's "assets, skills, and expertise to give Expo 2020 the weight and recognition it deserves."
Hashemi, who has been giving presentations in both English and in French through the five rounds of presentations, told delegates and the global media, that the UAE would "always strive for quality, excellence, and respect that we will remain consistent and determined to deliver an inclusive and engaging Expo.”
In her speech Al Hashemi described the UAE as a "young country", able to "look to the future with enthusiasm and hope.
Al Hashemi also used her time to stress that Dubai and the UAE would make sure funding would be made abailable to ensure the six month global event's success.
She said: "To ensure the best possible presentation for each participant, we have pioneered the concept of one-nation-one-pavilion and supported it with a robust assistance package."
She said one of the UAE's key strengths was its ability to integrate supporting partners, and Al Hashemi played that card to the audience, noting that the entire infrastructure of the emirate would be woven together in the build-up and then running of the event.
She said: “We [have] worked with our airlines, our hospitality industry, and our tourism board to develop a programme that can generate global awareness and excitement.
“Your pavilions will become must-see attractions for the largest number of international visitors ever in an Expo."
The UAE bid has, since its inception, stressed it would be a boost to "green" initiatives. Masdar, Abu Dhabi's renewable energy company has played heavily in the bid's videos, with the green city's university, the Masdar Institute, playing host to Ali, the young boy who has stressed Dubai's advantages. Al Hashemi told the audience: “An ambitious sustainability plan will make the Expo 2020 the first carbon-neutral mega event."
Sustainability would though only be one "breakthrough" in Dubai should it win Al Hashemi said. "Expo Live will harness the power of this community of countries to foster partnerships for innovation".
Emphasising the level of support for the bid in the UAE, Al Hashemi is joined in Paris by His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, Prime Minister and Vice President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and the Ruler of Dubai.
Shaikh Mohammed told the Expo audience: "Today we are joined by 10 Federal Ministers and under the guidance of Shaikh Ahmed we deliver to you the strongest [field] we can."
Sao Paulo completed its presentation with the city's mayor speaking of the city as the heart of Brazil and at the cutting edge of sporting talent, scientific achievements, movie industry and cuisine.
He said Latin America has never hosted an Expo and it was time for the expo to come to Sao Paulo.
Russian Prime minister Dmitry Medvedev, in a televised address, promised the most exciting Expo ever, should Ekatarinburg win this race for 2020. It followed Russian deputy prime minister making a case for his country.
Andre Geim, 2010 winner of physics Nobel Prize, also spoke to the delegates to make a case for Ekaterinburg. He highlighted the Russian space programme and 26 Nobel Prize winners in his statement.
The Russian government is guaranteeing visa-free travel for all travellers to the Expo. The Russians closed their presentation by wishing all other candidates the best of luck, saying 'Iit was a fair, open and friendly fight.''
The first round of Expo voting is due to begin at 5.30pm UAE time. There will be three rounds of voting - knocking out a city each time. However, even on the first round, should a candidate city gets 2/3 of the votes - 112 votes - it would automatically be declared the winner.
