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-class | Universal exposition |
Category | International Registered Exhibition |
Motto | Connecting Minds, Creating the Future |
Area | 438 hectares (1,080 acres) |
Organized by | Reem Al Hashimi (managing director) |
Mascot | Salama, Rashid, Latifa, Alif, Opti, and Terra[1] |
Participant(s) | |
Countries | 192 confirmed April 2019[2] |
Location | |
Country | United Arab Emirates |
City | Dubai |
Timeline | |
Awarded | November 27, 2013 |
Opening | October 1, 2021 |
Closure | March 31, 2022 |
Universal expositions | |
Previous | Expo 2015 in Milan |
Next | Expo 2025 in Osaka |
Specialized expositions | |
Previous | Expo 2017 in Astana |
Next | Expo 2023 in Buenos Aires |
Horticultural expositions | |
Previous | 2019 World Horticultural Exposition in Beijing |
Next | 2021 World Horticultural Exposition in Doha |
Internet | |
Website | www |
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 and regions have announced their participation in Expo 2020:
Afghanistan Algeria Angola Argentina Australia Azerbaijan Austria Bahamas Bahrain Belarus Belgium Bhutan Bulgaria Burkina Faso Bangladesh Brunei Brazil Canada Cambodia Cape Verde Central African Republic Chile China Colombia Cuba Cyprus Czech Republic Congo DR Congo Denmark Dominican Republic Djibouti Ecuador Egypt Estonia Ethiopia France[12] Fiji Finland Greece Grenada Guinea Germany Hong Kong Hungary India Indonesia Israel Italy Iran Iraq Iceland Ireland Japan Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya Kosovo Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Laos Lesotho Lebanon Liberia Lithuania Luxembourg Latvia Macau Marshall Islands Malaysia Mauritius Monaco Mongolia Morocco Myanmar Mexico Mozambique Nauru Netherlands Nepal Nigeria New Zealand North Korea Norway Oman Pakistan Palestine[13][14] Philippines Poland Portugal Peru Panama Qatar Russia Romania Rwanda Senegal Serbia Singapore Sierra Leone Slovenia Slovakia Solomon Islands Somalia Spain Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Saudi Arabia South Korea Sweden Switzerland South Africa Sudan San Marino Sri Lanka Taiwan Thailand Togo Tunisia Tuvalu East Timor Turkey Turkmenistan Tajikistan Tanzania Ukraine United Arab Emirates[15] United Kingdom United States Uganda Uruguay Uzbekistan Vatican City Vietnam Venezuela Yemen 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
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] New dates have been announced 01 October, 2021 - 31 March, 2022.[37]
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.[38]
The following cities lodged bids to the BIE for hosting the 2020 EXPO:
Izmir, Turkey Yekaterinburg, Russia[39][40] São Paulo, Brazil[41][42] Dubai, United Arab Emirates[43]
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.[44][45]
"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.[46] 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.[47] 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.[48] 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.[49]
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".[50]
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.[55]
References
- "Mascots | Expo 2020 Dubai". Retrieved November 3, 2019.
- "192 countries to take part in Expo 2020". Retrieved April 25, 2019.
- "Dubai Expo confirms new dates: Oct 1, 2021 until Mar 31, 2022". Khaleej Times. Retrieved May 14, 2020.
- "How is an Expo organised?". www.bie-paris.org. Retrieved May 1, 2019.
- HOK. "Dubai Expo 2020 Master Plan". www.hok.com. Retrieved May 1, 2019.
- "Themes at Expo 2020 Dubai". www.expo2020dubai.com. Retrieved May 1, 2019.
- Nagraj, Aarti. "Dubai Properties launches two-tower project". Gulf Business. Retrieved May 30, 2016.
- Nagraj, Aarti. "Dubai launches world's largest concentrated solar power project". Gulf Business. Retrieved June 2, 2016.
- Hamdan, Lubna. "Dubai scores 89% on happiness index for government services". Arabian Business. Retrieved May 29, 2016.
- Al Heialy, Yasmin. "Expo 2020 spending to help Dubai's economy outperform peers". Arabian Business. Retrieved May 10, 2016.
- "UAE Gears Up Ahead of Dubai EXPO 2020". Shuraa Business Setup. Retrieved June 16, 2016.
- Sam Bridge (May 2, 2019). "Construction starts on France's Expo 2020 Dubai pavilion". Arabian Business. Retrieved May 7, 2019.
...construction work has started on the French Pavilion, Lumière Lumières, for Expo 2020 Dubai.
- "Design for Palestine Pavilion at Expo 2020 – Dubai | Al Nasher". Retrieved September 18, 2019.
- "هوتيل اند ريست – القدس مهد الأديان حاضرة في «إكسبو 2020 دبي»". Retrieved September 18, 2019.
- "Construction of Expo 2020 Dubai pavilions set to start in April". Arabian Business. January 20, 2018. Retrieved May 7, 2019.
Last month, the foundations of the futuristic falcon-inspired UAE pavilion were laid.
- "Lietuvos paviljonas Dubajuje bus statomas pagal „Baukas" projektą - Statybunaujienos.lt" (in Lithuanian). Retrieved June 9, 2020.
- "Russia sets its sights high for pavilion | Expo 2020 Dubai". Retrieved January 29, 2020.
- "Opportunity Pavilion". Retrieved July 14, 2019.
- "Mobility Pavilion". Retrieved July 14, 2019.
- "Sustainability Pavilion". Retrieved July 14, 2019.
- "Sustainability District | Expo 2020 Dubai". Retrieved March 16, 2020.
- Reporter, Staff (July 17, 2019). "Free bus tour of Dubai Expo 2020 site for residents announced". Khaleej Times. Retrieved August 11, 2019.
- "HOW IS DUBAI PREPARING FOR THE WORLD EXPO 2020?". The First Group. March 1, 2015. Retrieved December 25, 2019.
- Arora, Roma (November 10, 2019). "Paint it!". Design Middle east. Retrieved December 25, 2019.
- "All aboard for Expo's recycling bus | Expo 2020 Dubai". www.expo2020dubai.com. Retrieved January 27, 2020.
- Ryan, Patrick (August 5, 2019). "Expo 2020 Dubai emergency centre to provide 'Olympic quality' care to visitors". The National. Retrieved August 12, 2019.
- "Dubai to open its doors to Israeli tourists in 2020". Yedioth Ahronoth. Retrieved November 6, 2019.
- "Amal Clooney Partners With Cartier To Empower Women At Dubai Expo 2020". Harper’s Bazaar Arabia. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
- "Gulf economies rocked by coronavirus and oil price war". Financial Times. Retrieved March 23, 2020.
- "Coronavirus: Migrant workers in UK and overseas face 'disproportionate risk' from Covid-19". The Independent. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
- "Expo 2020 Dubai and the UAE response to COVID-19 | Expo 2020 Dubai". Retrieved March 30, 2020.
- "BIE convenes 21 April meeting of its Executive Committee to discuss change of dates for Expo 2020 Dubai". Retrieved April 5, 2020.
- "BIE Executive Committee proposes postponement of Expo 2020 Dubai, Member States to vote on change of dates". Retrieved April 22, 2020.
- "Expo's one-year postponement confirmed | Expo 2020 Dubai". Retrieved May 4, 2020.
- "Resolution for postponement of Expo 2020 Dubai surpasses required two-thirds threshold". Retrieved May 4, 2020.
- "BIE General Assembly officially approves Expo 2020 Dubai date change". Retrieved May 30, 2020.
- "Home | Connecting Minds, Creating the Future | Expo 2020 Dubai". www.expo2020dubai.com. Retrieved July 2, 2020.
- "ExpoMuseum / Expo 2020, Ayutthaya, Thailand; Dubai, USA; Izmir, Turkey; Sao Paulo, Brazil; or Yekaterinburg, Russia". Expomuseum.com. Retrieved October 2, 2013.
- "Russia to propose Yekaterinburg as Expo 2020 venue | Business | RIA Novosti". En.rian.ru. Retrieved October 2, 2013.
- "Yekaterinburg, new candidate for World Expo 2020". Retrieved October 29, 2011.
- "Portal da Prefeitura da Cidade de São Paulo". Prefeitura.sp.gov.br. Retrieved October 2, 2013.
- "Sao Paulo, new candidate for World Expo 2020". Retrieved October 29, 2011.
- "København vil huse verdensudstilling | www.b.dk". Berlingske.dk. Retrieved October 2, 2013.
- Maeve Hosea (November 28, 2013). "Dubai World Expo 2020: Dubai celebrates in style". vision.ae. Vision Magazine. Archived from the original on December 23, 2014. Retrieved September 19, 2015.
- His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum January 2015 (January 2014). "Dubai World Expo 2020: From vision to victory". vision.ae. Vision Magazine. Archived from the original on October 27, 2014. Retrieved September 19, 2015.
- "Dubai wins right to host Expo 2020". Gulf News. Retrieved November 28, 2013.
- "Dubai is ready to deal with Expo 2020 construction boom: Lootah – Emirates 24|7". Emirates247.com. November 19, 2014. Retrieved September 19, 2015.
- "Turner to Project Manage Burj 2020". DMCC. Retrieved February 3, 2017.
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- "Ekaterinburg – Russia". Retrieved November 17, 2013.
- "Izmir – Turkey". Retrieved November 18, 2013.
- "Health For All Symposium". Archived from the original on December 3, 2013. Retrieved November 18, 2013.
- "The theme – São Paulo Expo 2020". Retrieved November 28, 2013.
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- "Dubai Expo 2020 Facts and Statistics". Retrieved December 16, 2019.
External links
- Official website
- Expo 2020 page at the BIE
- European Patent Office
- Official stats for UAE population
- ExpoBids.com Noticias sobre las Ofertas de la Feria Mundial de Todo El Mundo.
- 2020 Dubai (BIE World Expo) – approximately 95 links
- Expo 2020 Dubai - YouTube User
- Emarati (Dubai Expo 2020 Song) - YouTube, music video, 3m50s
- Impact of EXPO 2020 on UAE Business