Dubai: British Prime Minister, Theresa May has confirmed that the UK will participate in Dubai’s Expo 2020, adding the UK to a list of six other countries which have announced their participation. May met with His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai on the margins of the annual gathering of GCC leaders, currently being held in the Bahraini capital, Manama.

Speaking yesterday, the British Prime Minister said, “I can confirm that the UK will take part in Dubai’s “Expo 2020””, continuing the tradition started in Britain with the first world exposition in 1851.

“Dubai 2020 will offer an enormous commercial opportunity. It is an opportunity which I am determined we should seize together”, said May.

British Ambassador to the UAE, Philip Parham echoed May’s statement, saying, “We are very excited at the prospect of UK participation in Expo 2020. I am confident that the Expo in Dubai — which will be the first in this region — will leave an enduring legacy; and that the UK’s participation will be an important part of that”.

The UK was one of Dubai’s earliest supporters in its bid to become the host of the 70th World Expo.

Global connectivity

In 2013, then British foreign secretary William Hague said, “We assess that the Dubai bid is exceptionally strong: focused on global connectivity and accessibility, underpinned by its geographical location and its position as a global logistics and transport hub. All these would allow exhibitors to reach a large and varied international audience”.

Opening in October 2020, Dubai’s Expo is forecast to contribute €17.7 billion (Dh69.8 billion) in gross value added to the UAE economy over the period of development and operations, and to sustain up to 277,000 jobs.

British architects have designed two of the three themed pavilions, and British firms are involved in the building of key projects. Construction began on the site, which is located within the Dubai South district adjacent to Al Maktoum International Airport, in September 2016.

The concept of a World Expo started in the UK with The Great Exhibition of the Works of Industry of All Nations in 1851. It was an event that started a legacy in the UK that continues to this day. Imperial College London, Natural History Museum, Royal Albert Hall, Royal College of Art and other world renowned educational and cultural institutions can trace their origins to this first World Expo.