Dubai: Nearly 150 nations have now confirmed their participation in Expo 2020 in Dubai, organisers behind the event said as they met with representatives from around the world to discuss planning details.
The annual International Participants Meeting, first held last year, brought together 500 senior representatives in Dubai on Thursday from around 180 countries, the number of nations organisers hope to attract to participate in Expo 2020.
The meeting was attended by Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, and Shaikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
During the meeting, organisers confirmed that close to 150 countries have formally accepted the UAE government’s invitation to take part in Expo 2020, including 15 new announcements of participation. The new announcements included the participation of the US, Austria, Malaysia, and Mexico.
The meeting brought together representatives of countries that have already confirmed their participation as well as those still considering participation. Some of those who have already confirmed signed their participation contracts after choosing a theme, budget, and pavilion plot.
Organisers also discussed updates on site delivery and legacy plans, details on marketing and communications plans, Expo Live, and some of Expo’s partners.
Speaking there, Reem Al Hashemi, the UAE’s Minister of State for International Cooperation and director general of Dubai Expo 2020 Bureau, said the event is “moving firmly and swiftly from a mission to reality.
“Our Expo 2020 family has grown significantly, and the number of confirmed participants is now close to 150. This clearly shows how committed we all are to working together in the cause of human progress … We will always embrace new opportunities for cooperation,” she said.
Progress
Attendees were also briefed about progress made on the Expo site.
Ahmad Al Khatib, vice president for real estate and delivery behind the Dubai Expo, said construction of the Expo site has “progressed tremendously,” in the past 18 months.
From a business perspective, organisers discussed opportunities the Expo will provide for small and medium enterprises.
“In 2017 alone, contracts for a range of goods and services to the value of $3 billion (Dh11 billion) will be awarded to suppliers from 22 countries. To raise awareness of these opportunities, the Expo team has been travelling around the globe, engaging with business communities and international companies of all sizes,” said Marjan Faraidooni, senior vice president for legacy development and impact.
She said that this outreach will intensify in the coming months and years.
As for plans for the site once the event wraps up, Faraidooni said the site, District 2020, will be an innovative hub that attracts business.
“District 2020 has been designed to maximise synergies within a diverse tenant mix, and to deliver long-term advantages to leading businesses from key growth industries regionally and internationally. These industries include logistics and transport, travel and tourism, construction and real estate, and education,” she said.
Governing body
Additionally, organisers discussed Expo’s social impact programme, Expo Live, a $100 million initiative to help projects around the world.
The meeting on Thursday was organised with the Bureau International des Expositions, the governing body of World Expos. It is held regularly to update Bureau member nations on progress of the Expo.
The Expo 2020 runs for six months from October 20, 2020, and is expected to attract 25 million visits. It will be held under the theme, “Connecting Mind, Creating the Future,” and will provide a platform to encourage creativity, innovation, and collaboration.
