100-day Expo 2020
countdown begins

100-day Expo 2020
countdown begins Staff Reporter / 26 August 2013 The final countdown for deciding who gets to host World Expo 2020 has officially begun. In less than 100 days, representatives from 167 member nations of the Paris-based Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) will cast their votes to decide which city will host the World Expo 2020. An artist’s impression of the main site where World Expo 2020 will be held if Dubai’s bid succeeds. Voting will take place on November 27 as a team from the Dubai Expo 2020 team will focus on hosting a theme symposium in Dubai this October. The symposium, which will be held by each of the candidate cities, is an opportunity for the UAE to further demonstrate to BIE delegates the global relevance and timeliness of the bid theme. Dubai’s Expo 2020 bid is centered around the theme ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’. Delegates will have the chance to explore the three sub themes — Mobility, Sustainability and Opportunity — which represent the key drivers of global development. The event will also allow delegates to witness and experience first-hand unique advantages the UAE has to offer as a potential host nation, including the country’s robust infrastructure, warm hospitality and global connectivity. As a result of the country’s infrastructure and geographical positioning, Dubai Expo 2020 expects to attract 25 million visitors offering a diverse and exciting international profile. For the first time in the history of World Expo, more than 70 per cent of the visitors would stem from beyond the host nation. An Expo in Dubai would take place on the eve of the UAE’s 50th anniversary, starting countrywide celebrations. It would also be the first time that a World Expo is held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia region, presenting a significant opportunity. More than 277,000 jobs are forecast to be created by Dubai Expo 2020 and for each one of these, an additional 50 jobs are expected to be sustained across the wider region. Dubai Expo 2020 will leave a powerful legacy, both in terms of the Expo site itself and also as an inspiration for future generations. Dubai is competing against three other candidate cities in its bid to host World Expo 2020. The other candidate cities are Sao Paulo in Brazil, Yekaterinburg in Russia and Izmir in Turkey. news@khaleejtimes.com Taylor Scott International