Industry leaders and global experts in the fields of Mobility, Sustainability and Opportunity — the Dubai Expo 2020 subthemes — spearheaded discussions with representatives from the 167 member-nations of the Bureau international des Expositions (BIE) on the final day of the Dubai Expo 2020 Theme Symposium.
The symposium was titled ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future: Partnerships for Global Innovation and Sustainable Development’.
Speaking in the plenary session Sultan Ahmad Bin Sulayem, Chairman of DP World, highlighted the role of infrastructure, a key factor for mobility and connectivity, that not only contributed to a country’s economic growth but also allowed for the international economic integration of other nations.
Bin Sulayem threw light on the development of Jebel Ali Port, the flagship port of DP World and the largest container port between Rotterdam and Singapore, and the significant role it played in facilitating global trade; ultimately contributing to Dubai becoming the third largest re-export hub in the world.
Located just 10 minutes from the proposed Dubai Expo 2020 site, he highlighted the benefits and opportunities that Jebel Ali Port and the UAE’s operational readiness could bring to a World Expo in Dubai, both for its visitors and participants.
Reem Al Hashemi, UAE Minister of State, and Managing Director of Dubai Expo 2020, also focused on the global relevance of Mobility, Sustainability and Opportunity. “The issues addressed by our subthemes, energy and water, transportation, job creation, market access for example, are critical components of any type of development agenda. They are interconnected areas where we witness huge change,” she said.
“If we have the ambition and commitment to tackle the complex challenges the world is facing we have to take a holistic approach. The foundation of our theme is the recognition that we cannot face these challenges alone and Expo Live, the Dubai Expo 2020 programme of global collaboration, is a concrete mechanism to develop innovative solutions together to deliver direct impact in global communities around the world.”
The sessions also provided an opportunity for the delegates to share their thoughts and perspectives on the Dubai Expo 2020 theme and subthemes. Understanding the variety of country priorities, experiences and objectives is of particular importance to Dubai Expo 2020.
The global innovation programme, Expo Live, will engage with all participants in the seven years that lead up to 2020 to identify the priorities within Mobility, Sustainability and Opportunity.
The solutions and projects of Expo Live will find a home at Dubai Expo 2020 in a newly-created Innovation Pavilion that will inspire, attract and engage the 25 million expected visitors with content-rich exhibitions.
Al Hashemi closed the morning sessions reiterating the aim of Dubai Expo 2020 to deliver a tangible legacy of innovative solutions and ideas in the fields of Mobility, Sustainability and Opportunity.
In the afternoon, delegates had the opportunity to explore Dubai and the UAE with thematic and cultural tours highlighting some of the UAE’s key assets and initiatives.
