'Dubai Expo 2020 to cost Dh20-22 billion'

Paris - "Now is the time for us to translate our vision into reality": Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum.

Dubai on Wednesday became an official World Expo Host City as the 158th general assembly of the Bureau International Des Expositions (BIS) in Paris confirmed the emirate as host city of the next World Exposition in 2020.
The meeting, which started two-hour late due to incomplete quorum, ratified the Expo 2020 registration document, which set out detailed plans for the mega event.
The 168-member governing body numinously endorsed detailed plan to execute the World Exposition, which is considered world's third largest global event after the Olympics and the World Cup.
It is first time in the history this mega event will be staged in the Middle East. Members of the Expo 2020 Dubai Higher Committee led by Shaikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum travelled to Paris for the historic announcement, which marks the start of the next chapter in Dubai's journey to 2020 and a new phase of increased activity.
To mark Dubai's formal appointment, Shaikh Ahmed was presented with the official BIE flag by the governing body's President Mr Nagy.
"For two years we have worked tirelessly to plan and prepare for a truly exceptional World Expo in 2020. Today, the member nations of the BIE have officially endorsed these plans," said Shaikh Ahmed, who is also Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates airline and Group.
Shaikh Ahmed paid tribute to the international support that Dubai has received and said now it is time to translate the vision into reality.
"There is no time to rest. Now is the time for us to translate our vision into reality, as we deliver an Expo that will inspire the world to come together and begin to solve some of our most pressing global challenges," he said.
Reem Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State and Director-General of Bureau Dubai Expo 2020, said Expo 2020 Dubai will support the ongoing development, diversification and long-term success of the UAE's economy and naturally there will be a significant quantity of economic activity directly and indirectly stimulated in the course of the design, build and operational phases of the event.
“The expo will cost Dh20-22 billion including a Dh10 billion extension plan for Dubai Metro project,” she told media at the event.
 The members of the Higher Committee were joined by a delegation of UAE business people, who have been strong partners of Expo during the journey to becoming Host City. Their presence at the BIE ceremony demonstrated their intent to continue to support the effort to deliver the Expo, now that this major milestone has been passed.
Loscertales, the BIE Secretary-General, said Dubai has presented a compelling vision, and detailed plans to ensure its realisation. We will continue to support and work alongside the Expo 2020 team over the next five years as these ideas are turned into reality.
"As the first World Expo to take place in the Middle East, South Asia and Africa, we look forward to what we believe will be a meaningful moment in history, not only for this young nation and the BIE, but also for the wider region and indeed, the world," Loscertales said.
The Expo 2020 Registration Document, which was officially submitted to the BIE for review in July, was the result of comprehensive research and rigorous planning, and provided detailed information about the mega-event, including the theme 'Connecting Minds, Creating the Future', the site Master Plan, participant and visitor engagement strategies, communications and marketing, business operations, sustainability and the post-event legacy.
In moving from the planning to delivery phase, activity will increase to include formal engagement with international participants, including nations, corporations, multilateral organisations, NGOs and academic institutions.
This next phase will also see the continuation and extension of existing stakeholder initiatives, both domestic and international, including the current series of BusinessConnect workshops, the annual Youth Connect event, and ongoing dialogue with young entrepreneurs, regional SMEs and global thought leaders.
Opening its gates to the world on October 20, 2020, Expo 2020 Dubai will be the most international and inclusive event in World Expo history, welcoming more than 25 million visits and over 200 participants over its six months duration. The vast majority of visitors (some 70%) are expected to come from overseas.


(Photos: Muzaffar Rizvi)
muzaffarrizvi@khaleejtimes.com

• Dubai