Region deserves Expo 2020 honour

That was the message for the world and the delegates attending the symposium in Madinat Jumeirah on Tuesday to discuss Dubai’s theme for Expo 2020: ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future: Partnerships for Global Innovation and Sustainable Development’.

His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, met the members of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), and international experts who are participating in the three-day seminar, individually welcoming and greeting them, and wishing them a pleasant stay.

He also hoped they would be acquainted with the historical and contemporary landmarks of Dubai’s heritage and absorb the culture of Emiratis.

BIE is the Paris-based intergovernmental organisation that has 167 states as its members and oversees the selection of host countries for international expos.

It will announce which city will host Expo 2020 in November.

Tweeting on his personal page, Shaikh Mohammed said: “Thanks to all the countries who declared their support to us. Our message to the world is love, goodness and peace, and our motto will always remain ‘Connecting minds will build a better future for everyone’”.

The theme, he added, “will be a practical reality for writing practical solutions that mankind will benefit [from]”.

Openness to boost bid Shaikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development said Dubai’s openness and cultural diversity will increase the emirate’s chances of winning the bid and fulfill the event’s objectives of promoting peace, security, peaceful coexistence among nations and peoples, he added. “If you want an incomparable expo — if you want an expo that provides living experiences that blend the many diverse elements of the global society — if you want an expo that expresses the state and aspirations of the world, you have come to the right city — for Dubai is a city dedicated to human progress — a city whose success is based on the innovation and creative energy of its people — a city that values the educational power of Dubai Expo 2020 — a city whose leader is a man of wisdom and vision — and a city that has always been a crossroads for people, ideas, and commerce, and has always welcomed travellers and visitors,” said Shaikh Nahyan. news@khaleejtimes.com

The best brains will interact at Expo 2020 for solutions to issues that worry mankind, such as sustainable energy, water and economic development.

Shaikh Mohammed underlined Dubai’s readiness to host the mega fair. “We are ready to welcome the world in 2020, and are capable of organising the best session in the history of this international gathering,” he said. “Our region deserves this honour.”

The seminar was also attended by Shaikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, Shaikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Shaikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman of Emirates Group and President of the Supreme National Committee for Expo 2020.

Shaikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development, was the first speaker at the session, which was also attended by Shaikha Lubna Al Qasimi, Minister of Development and International Co-operation, Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Gargawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs, Reem Ibrahim Al Hashemi, Minister of State and Managing Director of the Supreme National Committee for Expo 2020, and Mohammed Ibrahim Al Shaibani, Director-General of Dubai Ruler’s Court.

Members of the Higher National Committee for Dubai Expo 2020 and senior officials, along with a number of heads of diplomatic and consular missions in the country were also present.

news@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE