Last Updated on May 7, 2020 by WFD
The Expo 2020 Dubai has been postponed by a year because of the coronavirus outbreak and will now be held from October 1, 2021, to March 31, 2022.
The six-month, multibillion-dollar global innovation fair, set to be the largest event ever staged in the Arab world, was expected to attract some 24 million visitors starting from October 20 this year.
But on Monday, a two-thirds majority of member states of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) voted in favour of a delay requested by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), saying in a statement the postponement “allows all participants to safely navigate the impact of COVID-19, and allows the World Expo to focus on a collective desire for new thinking to identify solutions to some of the greatest challenges of our time.”
His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Expo 2020 Dubai Higher Committee, said: “We welcome the decision of BIE Member States to support the delay Expo 2020 Dubai by one year. We are thankful to the Member States for their continued commitment to contributing to a World Expo in Dubai that will play a pivotal role in shaping our post-pandemic world at a time when it will be most needed.”
He said they have, for the past 50 years, sought to build bridges, connections, and partnerships around the world because they believe in genuine collaboration to safeguard the future of all.
According to him, the swift and overwhelming vote reflects the strength of the UAE’s international partnerships and truly reflects the positive role the UAE and Dubai play with all countries around the world.
Dimitri S. Kerkentzes, Secretary-General of the BIE applauded the rapid response by the BIE Member States. He said, BIE Member States’ support for the postponement of Expo 2020 Dubai – which will be formally approved on 29 May – is a renewed sign of solidarity, and demonstrates the shared will to work together in ‘creating the future’.
The Expo 2020 Dubai will retain its name despite its postponement, the organising committee announced.
The Expo 2020 Dubai will “remain committed to hosting an exceptional event that will celebrate humanity’s resilience, creativity, culture and innovation – including major technological advances in the fields of medicine and science,” the committee said.
It is expected that 192 countries, plus businesses, multilateral organisations, and educational establishments attend this event.
Meanwhile, Dubai is expected to open to tourists in early July.