Expo 2020
Expo 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. 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 general assembly in Paris awarded Dubai as the host on November 27, 2013.
Parameters
As a World Expo, it may be a maximum of sixmonths in length 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 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, 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.
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 as well as introduced a world's largest Solar Power Project which is all set to start by Expo 2020. 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. The Dubai Expo 2020 also would see a rise in the GDP as predicted by the International Monetary Fund.
Participants
The following nations and regions have announced their participation in Expo 2020: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.The Palestine pavilion will be between the Saudi and UAE pavilion and occupy 1250 square metres.
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.
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, each with its own pavilion. The Opportunity pavilion is designed by Cox Architecture, Mobility by Foster and Partners, and Sustainability by Grimshaw Architects.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 andWalk 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.
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.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."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.
In order to raise awareness about smart recycling, Expo 2020 will organize nationwide bus tours with the waste partner Dulsco.
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.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.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.
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. 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.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. 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. A final decision would need a two third's majority vote from BIE members.
On 21 April the executive committee unanimously agreed to delay the expo until 1 October 2021 – 31 March 2022, with this then going to a remote vote of the general assembly. There is no proposal to change the name of the expo.
On 4 May 2020 the BIE announced that the threshold to agree a delay had been passed, although the vote was to open until 29 May. At 6pm Paris time, 29 May the decision was confirmed, along with retention of the name Expo 2020 Dubai. New dates have been announced 01 October, 2021 - 31 March, 2022.
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.
The following cities lodged bids to the BIE for hosting the 2020 EXPO:
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."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 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. 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. 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. 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.