With five months to go, Expo’s International Participants confident and committed to a World Expo that will unify, excite and inspire. World Expo
Countries participating in Expo 2020 Dubai are united in their commitment to hosting a World Expo that builds bridges, inspires action and delivers real-life solutions to global challenges – that is the message from delegates attending the sixth International Participations Meeting (IPM), which ended on Wednesday.
More than 370 delegates travelled from around the world to attend the IPM in person, held 4-5 May at Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC), Expo 2020 Dubai, to see first-hand Expo 2020’s advanced state of readiness. They represented 173 of Expo’s 190-plus participating countries, with many other participants attending virtually.
Dr Ahmed Maghawry Diab, Head of Egyptian Commercial Service – Ministry of Trade and Industry and Commissioner General for Egypt at Expo 2020 Dubai said “We are eagerly awaiting the opening of Expo 2020 Dubai in October, particularly after we took the hard decision to postpone for one year due to the COVID pandemic – a delay that was necessary to review the precautionary measures to ensure the safety of workers and visitors. The inspiring Egypt Pavilion will take visitors on a breathtaking experience, where they will discover the incredible opportunities that Egypt has to offer based on the legacy of the Egyptian Civilisation.” World Expo
The most diverse World Expo ever, Expo 2020 will welcome more than 200 participants, including nations, multilateral organizations, academic institutions and businesses. For the first time in the 170-year history of World Expos, each participating country will have its own pavilion – a dedicated space where it can showcase its culture and progress to the world, creating partnerships and exploring solutions relevant to its circumstances and people. Some nations, including South Sudan, the world’s youngest country, are participating in a World Expo for the first time.
The first World Expo to be held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA), and the largest event to be held in the Arab word, Expo 2020 is a point of pride for the whole region and an opportunity to showcase Arab culture on an international stage.
During the two-day IPM, attendees were briefed on the latest in operations, security, city readiness, marketing and communications, and programming, while organisers also presented the stringent measures being taken to ensure the health and well-being of Expo’s workforce, participants and visitors, in line with the UAE’s wider efforts to combat COVID-19.
Expo 2020 Dubai will run from 1 October 2021 to 31 March 2022, coinciding with the 50-year anniversary of the founding of the UAE. It is inviting visitors from every corner of the globe to join the making of a new world, as they discover life-changing innovations that will have a meaningful, positive impact on both people and planet.
More than 2,500 online travel agents, tour operators, hotel groups and airlines have signed on as Authorised Ticket Resellers (ATRs) for Expo 2020 Dubai, organisers announced at Arabian Travel Market 2021 (ATM).
Spread across key markets, from 100-plus countries, the ATRs will offer value-added travel packages for international visitors to experience the best Expo 2020 has to offer based on a wide range of budgets and preferences, supporting Expo’s mission to welcome visitors from across the planet to join the making of a new world.
Earlier this year, Expo 2020 also welcomed more than 100,000 visitors for a preview experience of Terra – The Sustainability Pavilion, providing a glimpse of what is to come when Expo 2020 opens its doors to the world.
Both events allowed those present to experience first-hand the far-reaching programme of precautionary measures Expo 2020 has taken to ensure the safety of all visitors, participants and staff, working in close collaboration with the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention and Dubai Health Authority, and in line with the latest information and advice from the World Health Organisation. These measures include the installation of thermal cameras and sanitisation stations across the site, mandatory face-mask wearing and the implementation of social-distancing regulations. Expo 2020 is also offering free COVID-19 vaccinations to all official participants and their staff.
About Expo 2020 Dubai
From 1 October 2021 to 31 March 2022, Expo 2020 Dubai will welcome visitors from every corner of the globe to join the making of a new world, as it brings together the planet in one place to reimagine tomorrow.
- With the purpose of ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’, Expo 2020 will be the world’s most impactful global incubator for new ideas, catalysing an exchange of new perspectives and inspiring action to deliver real-life solutions to real-world challenges
- Expo 2020 will provide a visually striking, intellectually enlightening and emotionally inspiring 182 days, as more than 200 participants – including nations, multilateral organisations, businesses, and educational institutions, as well as millions of visitors – create the largest and most diverse World Expo ever
- Expo 2020’s sub-themes of Opportunity, Mobility and Sustainability will inspire visitors to preserve and protect our planet, explore new frontiers and build a better future for everyone
- Expo is committed to building a more equitable and just world for everyone, while keeping visitors safe by following the latest guidance of the world’s leading medical, science and health experts
- Expo 2020 is the first World Expo to take place in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region, located on a 4.38 sqkm site adjacent to Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai South
- Built with a meaningful and measurable long-term legacy in mind, the Expo site will transform into District 2020 – a model global community that will rethink the cities of the future – after Expo 2020 closes its doors
