Senior UAE Delegation Presents Key Themes, 
Strengths Of Country’s Bid To Host 2020 World Expo

In line with the national campaign to host the 2020 World Expo in Dubai, a senior UAE delegation has presented in-depth insights into the country and its bid to a General Assembly of the 160 member nations of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), the international organisation responsible for overseeing the calendar, bidding, selection and organisation of World Expos.

This presentation in Paris, France, which took place on June 12, 2012, was the second of five opportunities the UAE will have to formally support its bid to the BIE in the lead up to the November 2013 selection of the host nation for the Expo. The delegation included members of the Higher Committee for Hosting the World Expo 2020, which was formed earlier by decree by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister, in his capacity as Ruler of Dubai.

Led by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman of the Emirates Group, in his capacity as Chairman of the Committee, additional members of the delegation included: His Excellency Mohammed Ibrahim Al Shaibani, Director-General of His Highness the Ruler’s Court of Dubai, who serves as Deputy Chairman of the Higher Committee for Hosting the World Expo 2020; Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimy, Minister of State and the Committee’s Managing Director; Ahmed Abdullah Al Shaikh, Director General of the Government of Dubai Media Office; and Helal Saeed Al Marri, CEO of Dubai World Trade Centre.

Addressing the 160 member nations of the BIE, Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimy said: “The UAE is leading growth across the Middle East and wider region, and also leading by example. By focusing on sustainable development, the incubation of talent and the generation of new ideas, we are determined to continue ensuring success and prosperity in our country. Hosting the 2020 World Expo would be another manifestation of this national goal.”

Emphasising the UAE’s commitment to addressing the global priorities of clean energy and water, efficient transportation and logistics, and new models of development, Her Excellency linked the solutions to these challenges to the theme of the country’s bid to host the Expo.

“The theme of our bid is ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future,’ which reflects our belief in building a better tomorrow though connectivity and partnerships,” said Her Excellency. “Expos are the perfect platform through which such connections can take place, and Dubai is the ideal city in which to identify shared solutions to the world’s challenges.”

Following these remarks, the members of the BIE General Assembly were shown a short film entitled Ali’s Film, which tells the story of the nation through the eyes of an Emirati boy. This purpose-produced film is available for viewing on the UAE Expo 2020 website (www.expo2020dubai.ae) and Facebook page (www.facebook.com/DubaiExpo2020).

In his remarks, Helal Saeed Al Marri then highlighted to the BIE member nations the UAE’s strength and ability to host a World Expo attracting a truly international audience – based on its unique global market access, unmatched infrastructure and track record of hosting world-class events.

“As a hub for global trade, as the home for global cultures and as a tested stage for global events, the UAE has the means, expertise and vision to host an Expo for the world,” he said.

The presentation to the BIE took place just days ahead of the UAE’s special national celebrations at its pavilion at the 2012 International Expo in Yeosu, South Korea, a three-month event that is expected to attract up to 8 million visitors from across the world. Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimy will travel to South Korea for those celebrations, which will take place tomorrow (June 14).

Dubai, UAE, is competing against four other candidate cities bidding to host the 2020 World Expo, including Ayutthaya (Thailand); Ekaterinburg (Russia); Izmir (Turkey); and Sao Paulo (Brazil). 

Emirate:  Dubai

Date: Jun 13, 2012

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