PARIS // The formalities are over and work building up to Dubai Expo 2020 – the first in the region – can begin.
The 158th general assembly of the Bureau International des Expositions in Paris on Wednesday officially ratified Dubai as host for the next world fair, with the theme “Connecting Minds, Creating the Future”.
Designs will now be approved and building will commence after the ceremony, which included the UAE national anthem.
“The clock is ticking and the countdown has begun to Dubai Expo 2020,” Reem Al Hashemy, Minister of State and director general of the Expo 2020 Bureau, told delegates.
“The UAE has hit the ground running and we are determined not to waste a single minute.
“Make no mistake, our site will transform into a very special area clustering together science and industry hubs. We are today registered and ready for the journey ahead.”
Ms Al Hashemy said the aim was “simple and ambitious, to present an event that will enthral and amaze our visitors”.
The white and blue Expo flag was handed over to Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, higher committee chairman for the Expo.
Wearing a scarf in the UAE colours, Sheikh Ahmed said: “There will be a lot of surprises in Dubai over the next few years.”
He vowed to deliver an Expo that would “inspire the world to come together and begin to solve some of our most pressing global challenges”, and said pavilions would be built for countries that could not afford them.
The immediate focus would be to encourage the public to take part in gearing up for the Expo, Sheikh Ahmed said.
Up to Dh22 billion will be spent on the Expo, of which Dh10bn will go towards a Dubai Metro extension and other infrastructure projects.
The new metro line and zero-emission buses will connect to an Expo village, while a national museum dedicated to the event, a university and conference centre will be built from the pavilions’ materials as part of the sustainability theme.
Thousands of volunteers will be on hand to run the site and about 275,000 jobs will be created over the next five years in transport, property, tourism, infrastructure and hospitality.
Preparatory work can now begin on the 438-hectare site in Dubai South set aside for pavilions.
Photovoltaic panels in a solar-powered canopy will generate 50 per cent of the site’s energy requirements.
The general assembly meets twice a year. The delegates on Wednesday examined proposals for new projects and were briefed on other world exhibitions.
“We wanted to create an Expo culture not only in Dubai but in the region, and this is the culmination of two years’ work,” said Vicente Loscertales, BIE secretary general.
“From bidding and voting to a project that can be implemented, Dubai has shown a high level of engagement and commitment.”
Two years ago Dubai captured 70 per cent of votes at the general assembly.
Ms Al Hashemy also reiterated the UAE’s condemnation of the recent attacks in Paris and its support for the country, while paying homage to the victims.
rtalwar@thenational.ae
