UAE campaign to host Expo 2020

The UAE on Tuesday launched its special campaign focusing on potentials of Dubai to be the ideal place for hosting the World Expo 2020. Following an official bid submitted under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, the global campaign will underscore why Dubai is the ideal candidate to host this international event that takes place once every five years. The campaign kicked off in parallel with the first official visit to the UAE, since the country submitted its bid in November, by Vicente Gonzalez Loscertales, Secretary General of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), the intergovernmental organisation in charge of overseeing the calendar, bidding, selection, and organisation of World and International Expos. During his visit to the country, the BIE Secretary General is meeting a range of high-level decision-makers in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Under the theme, “Connecting Minds, Creating the Future,” the 2020 World Expo in Dubai will serve as a global hub for ideas and a springboard for creativity, according to Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of the Emirates Group, and Chairman of the Higher Committee for Hosting the 2020 World Expo. Addressing regional and international media at a briefing in Dubai, Sheikh Ahmed said, “Since 1851, World Expos have provided significant opportunities to engage the world community in a shared project. This is also our goal, here in Dubai, where we unite peoples and cultures from across the globe every day.” “Expos are unique events of international cooperation dedicated to the communication of innovation and the promotion of global dialogue,” said Loscertales. “We look forward to learning more about the UAE project, its vision and its bid campaign for hosting World Expo 2020 in Dubai.” Replying to a query, Hilal Saeed Al Marri, CEO of Dubai World Trade Centre and member of higher committee for World Expo 2020, said Dubai will be pumping roughly $2 billion to $4 billion to develop the exhibition area and infrastructure there. Reem Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State and Managing Director of the Higher Committee for Hosting the 2020 World Expo, said that “By connecting people, which lies at the heart of our vision as a cosmopolitan nation, we can foster greater cooperation and understanding between peoples and cultures.” From golftoday