UAE is ‘100% ready’ to host Expo 2020 Dubai – Sheikh Mohammed

The UAE is fully prepared to host the mega Expo 2020 Dubai exhibition, which begins in October this year, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai has said.

The six-month event, which runs from October 1, 2021 until March 31, 2022, is the first World Expo to be held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region. It is expected to attract millions of visitors from across the world.

Earlier this year, Expo 2020 Dubai also welcomed more than 100,000 visitors to experience Terra – The Sustainability Pavilion as part of a preview which ran from January 22 until April 10.

“As part of the preparations for Expo 2020 Dubai, 72 working teams from federal and local authorities have completed a joint strategic exercise to simulate Expo in October,” Sheikh Mohammed said on Twitter.

“And we can say that the UAE is 100 per cent ready for the largest cultural event in the world,” he added.

ضمن الاستعدادات لاكسبو دبي ٢٠٢٠ .. أنهى ٧٢ فريق عمل من الجهات الاتحادية والمحلية تمريناً استراتيجيا مشتركاً لمحاكاة إكسبو في أكتوبر القادم … ونستطيع القول أن دولة الإمارات مستعدة ١٠٠٪ لأكبر حدث ثقافي في العالم ..

— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) April 12, 2021

During the preview, a number of health and safety practices – from social distancing and capacity controls to on-site rapid testing for staff and vendors – were incorporated across the site, organisers said.

According to an onsite survey, visitors ranked health and safety precautions above eight on a scale of one to nine, “highlighting Expo’s readiness to safely host the world when it opens its doors”, organisers said.

During a meeting held last week, the Expo 2020 Dubai Higher Committee also reviewed final preparations for the event as well as the programming that will be on offer during the 182 days.

The legacy of the Expo 2020 site was also addressed, with a focus on ensuring that Expo’s plans are fully aligned with the recently unveiled Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, and to contribute to the UAE’s continued development.

During the meeting, Expo 2020 officials also updated the committee on precautionary measures developed and implemented to protect the health, well-being and safety of all visitors.

The committee also discussed plans to provide vaccines to all official representatives of participating countries to ensure an inclusive and safe experience.

Expo 2020 will welcome participants from across the globe for the final International Participants Meeting (IPM), which will take place in Dubai from May 4-5, 2021.

The IPM will see participating countries review progress and visit their pavilions on the Expo 2020 site.

Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman of the Expo 2020 Dubai Higher Committee said: “In just a few months, Expo 2020 Dubai will open its doors to the world and, soon after, we will mark the UAE’s Golden Jubilee.

“Expo 2020 looks forward to welcoming the world to Dubai, and we intend to not only honour the UAE’s incredible accomplishments, but also to enable action toward a better future for both people and planet.”