20.10.2020: Dubai's date with the world

Shaikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Reem Ibrahim Al Hashemi and other officials at the closing ceremony of the Expo Milano 2015 on Saturday.

"We are ready to take on the responsibility of hosting the next World Expo in Dubai and eagerly await our formal appointment as host city next month," said Shaikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Expo 2020 Higher Preparatory Committee, as he attended the closing ceremony of Expo Milano 2015 on Saturday.
Top officials from Dubai, including Shaikh Ahmed and Reem Ibrahim Al Hashemi, UAE Minister of State, attended the ceremony.
On November 25, Dubai will be officially appointed as the host city for the next World Expo in 2020.
Shaikh Ahmed, who is also President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA) and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates airline and Group, said: "Milan and Italy have achieved great success as host city and host nation of the (World) Expo 2015. It has been a pleasure for our nation to take part in this expo, providing us with valuable insights as we prepare to host the next World Expo in 2020. I would like to take this opportunity to extend my gratitude to the National Media Council, our volunteers and everyone who tirelessly displayed the human face of our nation at the UAE Pavilion."
Vicente Loscertales, Secretary-General of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), said: "Today, we have lowered the World Expo flag which has flown over Milan for the last six months. It will next rise over Dubai when the Expo opens on October 20, 2020. Having recently seen the progress which the city, and the UAE, have made in their preparations, I look forward to confirming Dubai as host city for Expo 2020 at the BIE General Assembly in Paris next month."
Over 1.1 million visitors experienced the UAE Pavilion at Expo Milano. Its award-winning design and interactive features proved to be a great draw for audiences. After bidding farewell to Expo Milano 2015, the whole pavilion will move to a new home in Masdar City, UAE.
In 2020, over the course of six months, millions of people will come to the UAE to celebrate human ingenuity and create a better future for humanity and the planet.
reporters@khaleejtimes.com