Dubai will take the next step in its bid to host the World Expo 2020 today in Paris.

Paris: Dubai’s Higher Committee for Hosting the 2020 World Expo the will gave a 20-minute presentation at the International Exhibitions Bureau (Bureau International des Expositions, BIE) before noon. The presentation is expected to unveil portions of the UAE’s master plan for the expo, and is also likely to focus on Dubai’s ability to host the global event.

The World Expo is the third largest global, non-commercial event in terms of economic and cultural impact, after the Fifa World Cup and the Olympic Games. World Expo aims to promote several aspects of society including art and design, education, culture, science, international trade, technology and tourism.

If Dubai wins its bid, the expo is expected to provide jobs for residents and citizens. The estimated budget for development of infrastructure ranges between $2-$4 billion (Dh7.3-Dh14.6 billion).

Hosting an World Expo can bring between 20 and 45 million visitors to the host city, an influx of thousands of new businesses prior to and during the event, representation from over 160 countries, and potentially billions of dollars in new economic activity.

If Dubai hosts the event, it will likely take place near the Al Maktoum Airport and would open in October 2020 and run for six months.

Competitors

Four other countries are also competing for the honour of hosting the Expo: Turkey, Brazil, Russia, and Thailand.

Today’s presentation is the third of five to be given to 160 country members of the Bureau des Expositions by the UAE. The winning city will be announced in November 2013 in Paris.

If Dubai is selected, it would be a first time the international expo has been hosted in the Arab World.

On Wednesday night, the UAE hosted a reception and gala dinner at the Palais Garnier. It included a welcoming address by Shaikh Ahmad Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and CEO of Emirates airline and Group and President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, and the managing director of the Higher Committee, Reem Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State.

Opera singer and UAE national Sara Al Qaiwani performed at the event, as did singer Leona Lewis of X Factor fame.