Expo 2020

Expo 2020 (Arabic: إكسبو 2020‎) is a World Expo to be hosted by Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, originally scheduled to open on October 20, 2020, and to end on April 10, 2021. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, it has been postponed to 2021 and the rescheduled new dates calls for an opening on October 1, 2021.[3] Despite being held in 2021, organizers will keep the name Expo 2020 for marketing and branding purposes, marking the first time that the World Exposition has been postponed rather than cancelled. The Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) general assembly in Paris awarded Dubai as the host on November 27, 2013.

2021-2022 Dubai
Overview
BIE-classUniversal exposition
CategoryInternational Registered Exhibition
MottoConnecting Minds, Creating the Future
Area438 hectares (1,080 acres)
Organized byReem Al Hashimi (managing director)
MascotSalama, Rashid, Latifa, Alif, Opti, and Terra[1]
Participant(s)
Countries192 confirmed April 2019[2]
Location
CountryUnited Arab Emirates
CityDubai
Timeline
AwardedNovember 27, 2013 (2013-11-27)
OpeningOctober 1, 2021
ClosureMarch 31, 2022
Universal expositions
PreviousExpo 2015 in Milan
NextExpo 2025 in Osaka
Specialized expositions
PreviousExpo 2017 in Astana
NextExpo 2023 in Buenos Aires
Horticultural expositions
Previous2019 World Horticultural Exposition in Beijing
Next2021 World Horticultural Exposition in Doha
Internet
Websitewww.expo2020dubai.com

Parameters

As a World Expo, it may be a maximum of six months in length[4] and adhere to a wide universal theme that applies to all humanity. Past themes of Universal Expositions include "Man and His World" Montreal Expo 67, "The Age of Discovery" Seville Expo 92 and "Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life" Milan Expo 2015.

Organization

The main site of Expo Dubai 2020 will be a 438-hectare area (1083 acres) located between the cities of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, near Dubai's southern border with Abu Dhabi. The master plan, designed by the American firm HOK,[5] is organized around a central plaza, entitled Al Wasl, enclosed by three large Thematic districts. Each one is dedicated to one of the sub-themes of Expo 2020 – Opportunity, Mobility and Sustainability.[6] Dubai has also been emphasizing on investments in various sectors such as economic growth, real estate, environmental avenues and public affairs. In recent times, Dubai has made major investments in Real Estate[7] as well as introduced a world's largest Solar Power Project which is all set to start by Expo 2020.[8] Apart from pumping money, the nation is also keen on giving equal prominence to public relationships. The initiative – Dubai Happiness Agenda, has 16 programmes under four themes that sums up 82 projects to be set in the city with an aim to make the city the happiest by 2020.[9] The Dubai Expo 2020 also would see a rise in the GDP as predicted by the International Monetary Fund.[10][11]

Participants

The following nations have announced their participation in Expo 2020:

  1.  Afghanistan
  2.  Algeria
  3.  Australia
  4.  Angola
  5.  Argentina
  6.  Australia
  7.  Azerbaijan
  8.  Austria
  9.  Bahamas
  10.  Bahrain
  11.  Belarus
  12.  Belgium
  13.  Bhutan
  14.  Bulgaria
  15.  Burkina Faso
  16.  Bangladesh
  17.  Brunei
  18.  Brazil
  19.  Canada
  20.  Cambodia
  21.  Cape Verde
  22.  Central African Republic
  23.  Chile
  24.  China
  25.  Colombia
  26.  Cuba
  27.  Cyprus
  28.  Czech Republic
  29.  Congo
  30.  DR Congo
  31.  Denmark
  32.  Dominican Republic
  33.  Djibouti
  34.  Ecuador
  35.  Egypt
  36.  Estonia
  37.  Ethiopia
  38.  France[12]
  39.  Fiji
  40.  Finland
  41.  Greece
  42.  Grenada
  43.  Guinea
  44.  Germany
  45.  Hong Kong
  46.  Hungary
  47.  India
  48.  Indonesia
  49.  Israel
  50.  Italy
  51.  Iran
  52.  Iraq
  53.  Iceland
  54.  Ireland
  55.  Japan
  56.  Jordan
  57.  Kazakhstan
  58.  Kenya
  59.  Kosovo
  60.  Kuwait
  61.  Kyrgyzstan
  62.  Laos
  63.  Lesotho
  64.  Lebanon
  65.  Liberia
  66.  Lithuania
  67.  Luxembourg
  68.  Latvia
  69.  Macau
  70.  Marshall Islands
  71.  Malaysia
  72.  Mauritius
  73.  Monaco
  74.  Mongolia
  75.  Morocco
  76.  Myanmar
  77.  Mexico
  78.  Mozambique
  79.  Nauru
  80.  Netherlands
  81.    Nepal
  82.  Nigeria
  83.  New Zealand
  84.  North Korea
  85.  Norway
  86.  Oman
  87.  Pakistan
  88.  Palestine[13][14]
  89.  Philippines
  90.  Poland
  91.  Portugal
  92.  Peru
  93.  Panama
  94.  Qatar
  95.  Russia
  96.  Romania
  97.  Rwanda
  98.  Senegal
  99.  Serbia
  100.  Singapore
  101.  Sierra Leone
  102.  Slovenia
  103.  Slovakia
  104.  Solomon Islands
  105.  Somalia
  106.  Spain
  107.  Saint Kitts and Nevis
  108.  Saint Lucia
  109.  Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
  110.  Saudi Arabia
  111.  South Korea
  112.  Sweden
  113.   Switzerland
  114.  South Africa
  115.  Sudan
  116.  San Marino
  117.  Sri Lanka
  118.  Taiwan
  119.  Thailand
  120.  Togo
  121.  Tunisia
  122.  Tuvalu
  123.  East Timor
  124.  Turkey
  125.  Turkmenistan
  126.  Tajikistan
  127.  Tanzania
  128.  Ukraine
  129.  United Arab Emirates[15]
  130.  United Kingdom
  131.  United States
  132.  Uganda
  133.  Uruguay
  134.  Uzbekistan
  135.   Vatican City
  136.  Vietnam
  137.  Venezuela
  138.  Yemen
  139.  Zimbabwe

Pavilions

The 15.5 acre Lithuania pavilion called Openarium will be in the sustainability zone and designed by MB "Baukas" who won a design competition against 11 other entrants.[16]

The Palestine pavilion will be between the Saudi and UAE pavilion and occupy 1250 square metres.[14]

The Russia pavilion is planned to be 27 metres tall and cover more than 4500 square metres. It is being designed by Tchoban SPEECH and Simpateka Entertainment.[17]

International Participant Meeting (IPM)

2017 IPM meeting was held in October 2018.

2018 IPM meeting was held on 26-27 Nov 2018 hosted by Reem Al Hashimi, the Managing Director of Expo 2020 Dubai.

Themes

The expo will have a theme called "Connecting Minds, Creating the Future". The expo will also have three subthemes: opportunity, mobility and sustainability,[6] each with its own pavilion. The Opportunity pavilion is designed by Cox Architecture,[18] Mobility by Foster and Partners,[19] and Sustainability by Grimshaw Architects.[20]

Sustainability

In the sustainability district in addition to the sustainability pavilion, there is a Hammour House which explores coral reef; a district stage which seats 300 and Walk through a waterfall Brazil's national pavilion, Water the desert Czech Republic's, Enter a rainforest Singapore's, Wear cutting-edge devices Germany's, and Enter a miniature world Netherlands's pavilion.[21]

Mobility

Opportunity

Tour of Dubai Expo 2020 site

Expo 2020 organisers have invited UAE residents to visit the Expo 2020 site as it nears completion. Visitors would board colorful Expo 2020 branded coaches at various pick up points across the UAE. The bus journey includes an introduction to the history of World Expos. At the site, the visitors would disembark at the Visitor Centre for snacks and activities, followed by a tour of the site and its iconic architecture.[22]

Preparations

The emirate's tourism and hospitality sectors will face new opportunities and challenges in hosting the event. Najeeb Mohammad Saleh, head of the planning research at Dubai Municipality said "We looked at three different scenarios – low, medium and rapid. We have adopted the medium-growth scenario, and expect the population by 2020 to be about 2.8 million."[23] The upcoming Expo 2020 means that most premium hotels will be operating near full capacity through to 2021. Benjamin Moore Middle East is focussed on the UAE's luxury hospitality segment as the moment. By helping hotels upgrade the paints and coatings they use to more durable products, while simultaneously helping them reduce their maintenance costs.[24]

In order to raise awareness about smart recycling, Expo 2020 will organize nationwide bus tours with the waste partner Dulsco.[25]

Emergency care services at Expo 2020 site

The on-site emergency centre includes an isolation room, emergency care room, ambulances and helicopter services. Rob Cooling, vice president of health, safety and environment at Expo 2020 Dubai stated in a media interview that equipment and preventive measures are in place to manage emergencies. The centre is equipped to provide immediate care and stabilisation in the 'golden hour'. The golden hour in emergency care means the first sixty minutes after an injury or illness when medical care may be most effective.[26]

Developments

In November 2019, the UAE permitted Israeli passport holders to enter the country during Expo 2020. Israelis were allowed to have their own pavilion at the event and to even visit the country afterwards.[27]

A French luxury brand Cartier was expected to set up a women centric pavilion in association with prominent human rights lawyer Amal Clooney, in October 2020. Clooney was to lend her voice to the initiative to discuss the role of women in society and ways to tackle gender inequality, while celebrating female achievers.[28]

Impact of the 2019–20 coronavirus pandemic
See also: COVID-19 pandemic in the United Arab Emirates

In 2020, the globally expanding COVID-19 pandemic brought Expo 2020 Dubai under questions, as the event was expected to attract nearly 25 million visitors in October that year.[29] In March, the Geneva Council for Rights and Liberties warned against the abuse and exploitation of migrant workers in the United Arab Emirates. While rest of the country was under a lockdown due to the spread of coronavirus, the migrants continued to work on Expo 2020. The Geneva Council condemned the “discriminatory treatment of migrant workers”, urging the WHO to encourage the UAE to ensure their health and safety.[30]

On 30 March 2020 the expo indicated that it was investigating postponement of the world's fair. An event that would require a two third's majority agreement from a BIE annual general meeting.[31] On 4 April 2020 the BIE announced that a meeting of the executive committee would take place virtually on 21 April to discuss a proposal to hold the expo between 1 October 2021 and 31 March 2022.[32] A final decision would need a two third's majority vote from BIE members.[32]

On 21 April the executive committee unanimously agreed to delay the expo until 1 October 2021 – 31 March 2022,[33] with this then going to a remote vote of the general assembly.[33] There is no proposal to change the name of the expo.[33]

On 4 May 2020 the BIE announced that the threshold to agree a delay had been passed,[34][35] although the vote was to open until 29 May.[35] At 6pm Paris time, 29 May the decision was confirmed, along with retention of the name Expo 2020 Dubai.[36]

Bids and bidding

Once the first city had lodged a bid with the BIE, other cities had six months to respond. In early 2011, Izmir of Turkey and Ayutthaya of Thailand submitted bids to the BIE, initiating the six-month window for other cities to bid. When this window closed on 2 November 2011, there were five prospective cities, with Dubai making a last minute entry. The BIE voted and selected the host city on 27 November 2013.

Five cities originally bid for the slot for a world's fair in 2020, with four remaining: Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Yekaterinburg, Russia; Izmir, Turkey; or São Paulo, Brazil. Expo 2020 will represent a first as a Middle Eastern destination will be hosting the event for the first time.[37]

The following cities lodged bids to the BIE for hosting the 2020 EXPO:

São Paulo was eliminated from contention after the first round of votes. Izmir was knocked out in the second. Yekaterinburg lost to Dubai in the third and final round of voting.

Dubai Expo

UAE selected the theme "Connecting Minds, Creating the Future", sub-themes being Sustainability, Mobility and Opportunity.[43][44]

"In today’s highly interconnected world, a renewed vision of progress and development based on shared purpose and commitment is key. While a married human mind, an individual country, or a specific community is both unique and remarkable, it is by working collaboratively that we truly advance." Dubai Ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said in support of the bid.

The World Expo in Dubai in 2020 will be the first to be held in the MENA & SA (Middle East and North Africa & South Asia) region. On 27 November 2013, when Dubai won the right to host the expo 2020, fireworks erupted at the world's tallest building, Burj Khalifa. A national holiday was declared the following day for all educational institutions across the country. The Dubai Ruler promised Dubai would "astonish the world," in 2020. The staging of the world fair and the preparations leading up to it are expected to result in 277,000 new jobs in the UAE, an injection of nearly $40 billion into the economy, and an increase in visitors of at least 25 million and up to 100 million.[45] Director General of Dubai Municipality, Hussain Nasser Lootah, said that they have the largest laboratory in the region, and can easily research new materials and technologies required for construction.[46] The world's tallest commercial tower to be built in Dubai, in Jumeirah Lake Towers, was given the name "Burj 2020" in honour of the World Expo 2020.[47] Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum also went to the top floor of the Burj Khalifa to wave the UAE flag, a few days after the World Expo 2020 win.[48]

Yekaterinburg Expo

The Russian bid The Global Mind would have run from May 1 to October 31, and would have been the second largest expo (after 2010 in Shanghai) and intended to "survey world opinion through seven universal questions".[49]

İzmir Expo

The Turkish bid had a theme of New Routes to a Better World / Health for All and would have run from April 30 to October 31.[50] A Health for All symposium was held in October 2013 for BIE delegates and was to discuss health issues across the world.[51]

São Paulo Expo

A Brazilian expo would have been called Power of Diversity, Harmony for Growth,[52] run from May 15 to November 15 and would have covered 502 hectares.[53]

Ticket prices

The normal 1-day tickets for the expo cost AED 120, while the 3-day tickets are AED 260. There is a 50% discount on entry for students of any age and youth aged 6 to 17. The expo gives free access to children up to 5 years and adults 65 years & above. Disabled persons are also allowed free entry and a caregiver can also visit with them at half the ticket price.[54]

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