Dubai 2020 World Expo Bid And Dubai 2024 Summer Olympics Bid News

[THE DUBAI GUYS]

ah ha! had a feeling ramadan wuld be in may...so they will get the eid crowds too...but it mite be quiet for ramadan...

R

[THE DUBAI GUYS]

the KT has the wrong date...but the workding of the article was interesting...simply becuase they sed the UAE submitted a bid...the fact that if we win it will be in dubai only comes at the end...

UAE eyes World Expo
(Wam)

17 November 2011, 6:56 AM

DUBAI — His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has issued directives to set up an executive body that will be responsible for the UAE’s international bid to host Expo 2020, one of the world’s oldest and largest international events.

Shaikh Mohammed stressed that the UAE, under the leadership of the President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, has all it takes to host the world’s cultural event. He also noted the capabilities of the UAE and its people to organise the global event and lobby for international support for its bid to host the fair, which attracts millions of visitors throughout six months with the many countries having large pavilions to showcase their social, cultural and economic achievements.

“The UAE can amaze the world and is well-prepared for such a large-scale event with its infrastructure which ranked high in reports by the World Economic Forum (WEF), its strategic location which makes it an ideal gateway between the East and the West as well as a history of successes in hosting global events,” Shaikh Mohammed stressed.

According to the resolution issued by Shaikh Mohammed, the Executive Authority for Expo 2020 will be chaired by Shaikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Emirates Airline and Group Chairman and Chief Executive, with Minister of State Reem Al Hashemi as deputy chairman and chief executive officer. Members of the Authority include federal and local representatives.

The authority will prepare a full dossier for the international competition on hosting the world fair and lobbying for international support from 156 member countries of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE).

In its bid to host Expo 2020, the UAE is competing with Russia, Brazil, Turkey and Thailand. The winning country will be announced in 2013. If its bid wins, the UAE will host the World Expo under the theme “Connecting Minds, Building the Future” in Dubai between February 4, 2020, to June 30, 2020.

The said dossier will include details on the capabilities and expertise of the UAE for hosting the event as well as the changes the UAE, and Dubai in particular, will make in preparation for receiving the huge numbers of visitors expected to throng the venue.

The World Expo represents an international opportunity to celebrate the world’s different cultures. The latest edition of the event saw 23,000 cultural and heritage events which represented all of the world’s cultures. It takes place every five years and lasts for six months and is organised by the 156-member BIE (International Exhibitions Bureau). The UAE will present its case to the BIE and all the participating countries in a coordinated programme over the coming year, aimed at achieving the required votes.

http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayA...section=theuae

R

[Face81]

More movement on this subject.... Sheikh Mohammed has sent Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed and a large delegation from the UAE to meet the BIE.....

Team heads to Paris for World Expo bid

Following the orders of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, a high ranking delegation headed by Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Civil Aviation Authority in Dubai, Chairman and Chief Executive Emirates Airline & Group, will head to Paris for talks with officials and members of the BIE (International Bureau of Exhibitions) over the UAE’s bid to host the World Expo 2020.

The delegation will include Reem Al Hashimy, Minister of State, Mohammed Ibrahim Al Shaibani, Director General of the Court of Dubai Ruler, Ahmed Al Shaikh, Director General of the Dubai Government Media Office, Helal Saeed Almarri, CEO, Dubai World Trade Centre and Mohamed Meer Abdalla Al-Raeesi, UAE Ambassador to France. Representatives of a number of federal and local organisations will also accompany the delegation.

During the meetings of the BIE’s General Assembly, the delegation will give a detailed presentation of the UAE’s strengths and credentials as a potential host for the World Expo 2020. Russia, Brazil, Turkey and Thailand, the other four countries competing for the event will be presenting during the meeting as well. The winning bid will be announced in 2013.

The UAE delegates will also meet representatives of a number of the BIE’s 157 member states to highlight the country’s qualifications as a potential host, including its state of the art infrastructure, its central position on the world map and remarkable record of success in organising and hosting global events and exhibitions.

The move shortly follows Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s directives to set up an executive body that will be responsible for the UAE’s international bid to host Expo 2020 chaired by Shaikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, with Reem Al Hashimy as deputy chairman and chief executive officer. Should the UAE bid be successful, the country will host the World Expo under the theme ‘Connecting Minds. Creating the Future’ in Dubai between January 4, 2020 and June 30, 2020.

The World Expo is one of the largest international events organised for more than 150 years. It takes place every five years and lasts up to six months.

Source


Mods, please change the title of the thread to Dubai 2020 World Expo Bid And Dubai 2024 Summer Olympics Bid News

[THE DUBAI GUYS]

oooh how exciting!

R

[THE DUBAI GUYS]

both the KT and the GN had LARGE articles on the expo bid...

Bid to bring the expo home

Scrutineers expected in six months following application to host mega event

By Derek Baldwin, Senior Reporter
Published: 00:00 November 25, 2011
Gulf News

Dubai: An application to host the World Expo 2020 submitted by Dubai on November 2 to the organising body International Bureau of Exhibitions (BIE) is an immense work-intensive effort over several years, says the BIE website.

Caretakers of the BIE application process said the act of applying is only the beginning of a long process and noted that hosts must go "through a series of steps before culminating in the actual event… Altogether, an Expo project takes several years to complete. Furthermore, there must be at least five years in between two World Expos."

The BIE confirmed that it has received Dubai's formal application nine years in advance as is the rule to qualify as a certified applicant.

"Mohammad Al Shaibani, [Director-General of the Dubai Ruler's Court], on behalf of the Government of Dubai has submitted the official letter of candidature… for an international registered exhibition to be held in the city of Dubai in the year 2020," the BIE said in a statement.

The letter was endorsed by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

Officials said that the application seeks to host the event for the customary World Expo schedule for six months if Dubai emerges as the selected applicant against competing applicants Izmir of Turkey, Ayutthaya of Thailand, Sao Paulo of Brazil and Yekaterinburg of Russia.

"The expo is due to take place from January 4 to June 30, 2020, in the theme ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future'."

Clear instructions

To help applicants navigate the maze of regulations, rules and requirements, the BIE's prepared outline gives clear instructions to cities such as Dubai that want to host an event that draws world attention.

The BIE has informed Dubai government officials that six months from its application submission date, BIE officials will send a team of scrutineers to Dubai to assess the potential host site.

"At the end of the six-month period following the submission of the first candidacy application, enquiry missions are carried out by the BIE in the candidate country or city," the BIE stated. "The enquiry missions assess the feasibility and viability of the expos project as well as the political and social climate in the candidate country and city that would ensure necessary support for the Expo project."

Assessors from the BIE team will arrive in Dubai with a complete itemised checklist against which the emirate will be graded in each category as part of the initial phase of the selection process.

In its outline, the BIE checklist includes:
-Theme of the exhibition, its definition and its contents
-Date and duration
-Location
-Area of the expo site and the area proposed to be allocated to each participant
-Number of visitors expected
-Measures proposed to ensure financial feasibility and guarantees
-Indicators which will make it possible to calculate the cost of participation and the financial and material dispositions for the participants in order to minimise the cost of their participation
-Attitude of relevant authorities and interested parties."

Dubai already meets one of the primary requirements not on the list that no country can host a World Expo within 15 years of a prior exhibitions because the UAE has never hosted the event.

If Dubai were to win the World Expo 2020 bid, it would be the first time such a global event — dubbed by some as The Olympics of exhibitions — would be hosted in the history of the Arabian Peninsula.

Meanwhile, once results of the BIE assessment team visit sometime in 2012 to Dubai are compiled, a report will be sent to the BIE executive committee which will then forward the results to the BIE general assembly.

"The general assembly decides which proposals the BIE will further investigate. Once approved, the report forms the basis of evaluation by the BIE member states during the vote."

UAE pavilion popular

The global exposure afforded Dubai as a future host would only cement major strides already achieved by leaders to place the emirate on the world map as a critical metropolitan hub midway between the West and the Far East.

The UAE's strong showing at the World Expo 2010 Shanghai serves as but a small reminder of the benefits from participating on a world stage.

When Gulf News visited the iconic UAE's pavilion last year, officials said there were a recorded two million visitors in six months.

"There is no doubt that this has been an extraordinarily successful participation for the UAE and we have been proud to represent our country to the people of China," said Salem Al Amiri, commissioner-general of the UAE pavilion at the time.

The striking gold-coloured structure — shaped in the form of sand dunes — was a strong landmark leading to high popularity among visitors.

It has been returned to the UAE and erected permanently on Yas Island for visitors to continue to enjoy.

73m: people visited Shanghai World Expo in 2010
22,900: events were held at the last World Expo
5.28: size of Shanghai World Expo (in sq km)
246: number of pavilions set up at the last Expo

http://gulfnews.com/business/feature...-home-1.937098

R

[Face81]

I wonder where they would propose to host this if they were to win? Perhaps somewhere near the global village? That would be a good base for it.....

[Face81]

Wed Nov 23, 2011

2011-11-23 23:15:47


Dubai, Nov 23rd, 2011 (WAM)--The UAE has presented a bid to the International Exhibitions Bureau at the conference held today in Paris at head-office of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), to host Expo 2020 in Dubai.

The move follows the directives by Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

Headed by H. H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, CEO of Emirates Airlines Group, the UAE delegation demonstrated its credentials and capacities at the conference to qualify as a potential host of World Expo 2020 in Dubai City.

Four countries besides the UAE took part at the conference to compete for hosting the world event in which 130 countries take part every five years.

Sheikh Ahmed said in a statement at the conclusion of conference that the chances of UAE are great to host the highly reputed event, citing the infrastructure, security, support of the leadership and the Arab culture that tolerates over 200 nationalities and cultures in the UAE in secure and stable community.

He added that the chances of Dubai to host this grand event "make us to work harder to achieve this national goal", calling for concerted efforts of Emiratis and local institutions to sustain the reputation and welfare of the UAE.

The UAE delegation included Reem Al Hashimy, State Minister, Mohammed Ibrahim Al Shaibani, Director General of the Dubai Ruler's Court, Ahmed Abdullah Al Sheikh, Director of Media Office of Dubai Government, Mohammed Abdullah Al Raisi, UAE Ambassador to France.

Reem Al Hashimy delivered the UAE's speech on behalf of Sheikh Ahmed. The speech was supported by a documentary film on the achievements of the UAE and its experiences on hosting specialised exhibitions.

Below is the text of the speech made by Reem Al Hashimy: Mr. President, Mr. Secretary General, Your Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed, BIE delegates, ladies and gentlemen .

On behalf of the leadership and the people of the United Arab Emirates it is a tremendous honour for me to be here today representing the candidacy of Dubai, as host for the 2020 World Expo.

Distinguished delegates, it has been a fascinating, if long, day for you. You have heard compelling presentations from countries with great histories.

But our story is quite different.

In about a week's time, my country will celebrate its 40 year anniversary. In 1971, the UAE was a small nation, with limited resources, but ambitious dreams.

Dubai was a little more than a small fisherman's village - robust in its own right, linking up with merchants and trade routes from far away nations in Africa and India. In my part of the world, Dubai was known, for centuries, as a bustling, albeit limited, trading hub.

In the four decades since our inception as a nation, we have truly come a long way.

Today, the UAE is a thriving, dynamic and cosmopolitan nation and Dubai - a true global city. We are a people, proud of our heritage - ambitious about our future, inspired by innovation and eager to embrace the possibilities ahead.

This extraordinary transformation has been based on two twin principles: the pursuit of excellence and an openness to the rest of the world. And it is these two principles that are the heart of our bid which we wish to share with the World Expo.

Since its first Great Exhibition in London in 1851, World Expo has encouraged innovation, the sharing of knowledge and has fostered cultural diversity.

This ability to connect countries and peoples, ideas with opportunities and problems with solutions has been the reason for its continued relevance, popularity and success.

It is a recognition that while a single human mind, an individual country, or a specific community is both unique and remarkable, it is by coming together and strengthening connections that humanity can truly advance.

As we face ever more complex challenges - challenges which now go beyond national boundaries - these links have never been more important.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai has said, "Connected thinking is the best hope for progress and for successful and peaceful existence in the generations to come." And it is these connections - between people, nations and ideas - that have created Dubai itself. Whether a small village earlier this century, or the bustling metropolis it is today, Dubai is a manifestation of a series of connections and connectivity.

That is why our theme for the World Expo to be held in 2020 is "Connecting minds, creating the future." It underscores the importance of knowledge transfer, education and exposure.

By showcasing what makes us all different, we can collectively identify the common denominator and build the platform for greater growth and success. We need to connect - and through these connections, some of the most complex challenges we are faced with can begin to be resolved.

It is both a celebration and a call for action. But as well as celebrating our individual achievements and rich diversity, it is an opportunity, a demand, to share knowledge and forge new partnerships both through what we share and how we do so whether through remote information technology enabled meetings or face to face ones. Strengthened connections will help drive improvements in the quality and reach of learning, to give our future innovators, entrepreneurs and leaders the tools and confidence to change our surroundings for the better.

We want the 2020 World Expo to be a global hub for ideas, a springboard for new creativity, to help shape a new future just as these connections have helped shape Dubai.

By connecting people, as we have also seen in Dubai and the UAE - we can break down barriers and foster co-operation and understanding between peoples and cultures. We can learn to celebrate differences and rejoice in our common aspirations and goals.

In an increasingly globalized world, collaboration between nations, cooperation between individuals and interaction between cultures are at the heart of prosperity and advancement.

These principles will be embodied in Expo 2020.

The United Arab Emirates is the most suited place to demonstrate the environment in which these connections are fostered. In three generations, our lives as Emiratis have changed dramatically - we started as pearl divers and fishermen, and quickly moved to cosmopolitan cities that embrace more than 200 nationalities.

The vision, commitment and courage of our founding fathers to form a nation, with the bedrock principles of openness and respect, with a focus on prosperity and equity for all has helped shape an economy and society, unique in its competitiveness and its rigor.

Our communities live in a safe and stable environment, where families and individuals alike enjoy a quality of life that ensures a culture of respect.

In just a few decades, we have created multinational global champions that in their own right, have shaped their industries. Whether it is Emirates Airlines for aerospace, Masdar for renewable energy, or Dubai Ports in port operations, our companies have created a new global benchmark in their own respective businesses.

We understand what it takes to create excellence, and it is that unwavering commitment which we hope to bring to our 2020 Bid.

Indeed, Dubai is strategically placed at the cross roads of the world, connecting east and west and increasingly the south. Over one third of the world's population lives within a four hour flight.

But we have not simply relied on geography to cement our position as a global hub. We have invested in modern transport links that are so efficient and so reliable, the number of passengers who come through is a testament to that excellence. In Dubai International Airport alone, over 47 million passengers transit through en route to destinations in every continent, and by 2015, this airport is forecasted to be the busiest in the world.

But this, my dear colleagues, is just the start.

By the time the Expo is held, a second airport, the Al Maktoum International airport, will have a capacity of 160 million passengers. I will let the facts speak for themselves - for exhibitors and visitors alike, this is critical.

The accessibility of Dubai, the ease in which one can arrive and depart - and the increased connectedness we have with all central capitals of the world increases our value proposition exponentially.

For the exhibitors, too, we have world-class facilities. Every sixty seconds, almost one hundred containers are either loaded or unloaded in Dubai Port which is linked seamlessly through a logistics corridor to our airport. This integrated logistics platform links air, land and sea and as a result, cargo can move between airport and seaport in less than one hour.

I think this merits a repetition - to move a cargo container from a ship in the water, to a plane on the runway, a timespan of less than one hour is needed. This is unrivalled anywhere else in the world.

As for our welcomed travellers to the UAE, they will quickly find a city waiting eagerly to embrace them. With already over 80,000 hotel beds - a number growing by the month- and highly developed tourism infrastructure, they are promised an unforgettable and unique experience.

Superb transport links, its convenient location and the warm welcome for visitors help explain why Dubai has become the venue of choice for some of the world's major trade shows.

The biennial Dubai Airshow has become a global forum for the aerospace industry. This year's event occupied 325,000 square metres covering over a 100 hospitality centres, 11 pavilions and as many as 100 aircrafts on display of varying types and sizes.

Almost 1000 companies exhibited their products - from over 50 countries. This is more than a 10% increase from last year.

Likewise, the Dubai Motorshow has grown to provide a showcase for more than 150 of the world's top motoring manufacturers. In 2011, a record number of global and regional launches were held here and some of the most exciting and innovative concept cars were on display.

The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Formula One, the World Economic Forum, the Dubai World Cup and countless other major international events also demonstrate our expertise in hosting significant forums and managing global events. Between Abu Dhabi and Dubai alone, we prepare more than 400 global events annually.

But we will not be relying on what we already have to provide a home for the World Expo. We have already identified a site which will make the best of our world-class transport links and which, like previous events, will leave a permanent and positive legacy.

A new multi-purpose-built 400-hectare site (4-square-kilometres), within the boundaries of the new international airport, has been chosen to house the 2020 World Expo.

It will offer participating nations an unrivalled opportunity to showcase their exhibits - and an unmatched experience for visitors.

The Exhibition site will remain a place where people can come together to connect, long after the lifetime of the Expo. A reminder of a great event and an enduring legacy.

We believe this is important. Indeed, the UAE's pavilion at Shanghai 2010 has already been re-assembled on the skyline of Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi - the only pavilion to 'come home'.

We believe we can offer something new and exciting to the BIE. In a region that is emerging, that has never witnessed the glories of a World Expo, with a population that is primarily young who could begin to understand the power of connectivity and connectedness - the BIE would break new ground by bringing World Expo 2020 to Dubai.

Distinguished Member Delegates - through your participation - your endorsement, the principles that embody the BIE would truly help shape the future should the Expo take place in my country.

At the core of these ideals, of course, is the bringing of people from all over the world, from all nationalities and cultures into one place with a common purpose.

This is the reality of Dubai and the UAE every single day.

Allow me to give you a glimpse of richness and diversity of life in the Emirates as experienced by the people who live and visit my country.

I hope I have given you some idea of what it would mean to us if you were to grant us the opportunity to host the 2020 World Expo. I hope, too, I have shown what we would offer in return for this honour.

I know today is just the start of a long process. We are determined to listen to your ideas and respond to your priorities. You will have, I know, many questions to ask. We will strive to answer every one of them over the coming months.

We hope to build connections so we can not only meet, but exceed your expectations. That is our commitment, and it is in this spirit that we present our city to this distinguished forum.

Thank you very much for your time and attention.

WAM/MN WAM 2137 2011/11/23 END WAM/MAB


http://www.wam.ae/servlet/Satellite?...=1135099399852

[Face81]

New Dubai 2020 World Expo bid website is now up and running!!!

http://expo2020dubai.ae/



Mods, PLEASE sort out the thread title!

[THE DUBAI GUYS]

Originally Posted by Face81

New Dubai 2020 World Expo bid website is now up and running!!!

http://expo2020dubai.ae/



Mods, PLEASE sort out the thread title!

thanks for sharing!

[Face81]

Not the most informative website, but definitely worth watching as it is likely to be updated as time goes on

[noir-dresses]

I'm a little worried Doha might pull off getting the 2020 games, which would mean Dubai's 2024 bid would be a very long shot of winning because it's in the same region.

[Face81]

You're going to inflame the whole UAE section with comments like that, Noir

Let's be realistic here.....

[THE DUBAI GUYS]

Mohammed names higher committee on World Expo
(Wam)

20 February 2012
DUBAI — His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE, in his capacity as Ruler of Dubai, has issued a decree forming a higher committee for hosting World Expo 2020 under the chairmanship of Shaikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority & Chief Executive of the Emirates Group.

As per decree No. 2 for 2012, the committee members are: Mohammed Ibrahim Al Shaibani, Director of Dubai Ruler’s Office, who shall also act as the

Deputy Chairman; Reem Ibrahim Al Hashemi, Minister of State, who will be the Committee’s Managing Director; Ahmed Abdullah Al Shaikh, Director General of Dubai Government Media Office and Hilal Saeed Al Marri, CEO of Dubai World Trade Centre.

The committee shall submit regular reports directly to Shaikh Mohammed on the outcomes, milestones, challenges, solutions, proposals and recommendations.

The decree stipulates that all local government departments and public authorities must cooperate with the committee and provide full support for it to meet its ultimate goal of ensuring success in hosting World Expo 2020.

According to Article 4 of the decree, the committee is mandated to draw up necessary strategic plans for achieving the goal of hosting the World Expo 2020 in accordance with the international standards, as well as ensuring availability of appropriate infrastructure and identifying financial, technical, media, security, economic and tourims requirements.

The committee shall handle coordination with public and private stakeholders in and outside Dubai, as well as selection of appropriate venues to host the event and defining the activities to be held on its sidelines. The committee shall also oversee the marketing communication to promote Dubai locally, regionally and internationally.

Article 5 of the decree states that the committee may form sub-committees or working teams to assist it in carrying out its mission, whose duties shall be specified by the chairman. The committee may also invite experts and professionals to attend its meetings.

This decree shall replace the decree No. 28 for 2009 and shall supersede any other provisions or legislations conflicting with the provisions of this decree. It shall be effective from the date of issuance and shall be published in the official gazette.

http://www.khaleejtimes.com/displaya...on=theuae&col=

R

[THE DUBAI GUYS]

Originally Posted by Face81

Mods, please change the title of the thread to Dubai 2020 World Expo Bid And Dubai 2024 Summer Olympics Bid News

yes please!

R

[bizzybonita]

OK .

[Face81]

Good find, R and thanks Bizzy

[Face81]

The UAE has formally launched a campaign as part of its bid for the 2020 World Expo - the largest rotating global exposition

By Shweta Jain, Senior Reporter Published: 14:35 February 28, 2012


Dubai The UAE has formally launched a campaign as part of its bid for the 2020 World Expo - the largest rotating global exposition.

Under the theme, Connecting Minds, Creating the Future, the 2020 World Expo in Dubai will serve as a global hub for ideas and a springboard for creativity, said Shaikh Ahmad Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman of the Higher Committee for hosting the World Expo 2020.

The last World Expo was held in Shanghai, where the UAE participated with a large pavilion.

In November of last year, the UAE officially presented its bid in Paris, France, at the BIE headquarters to host the 2020 World Expo in Dubai. The bid is being led by the Higher Committee for Hosting the 2020 World Expo, which was recently formed by decree by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister, in his capacity as Ruler of Dubai.


Delegation to arrive Wednesday

Meanwhile, a senior delegation from the organisation that will decide if Dubai, UAE, will be awarded the right to host the World Expo in 2020, arrives in the UAE is due to arrive Wednesday for the first official visit since the country proposed Dubai as a Candidate City to host the event in eight year’s time.

Vicente Gonzalez Loscertales, Secretary General of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), the intergovernmental organisation in charge of overseeing the calendar, bidding, selection, and organisation of World and International Expos, is leading the delegation.

He will hold a series of meetings with high-level decision-makers in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

The UAE is competing against four other international candidate cities: Ayutthaya (Thailand), Ekaterinburg (Russia), Izmir (Turkey) and Sao Paolo (Brazil). The winning bid will be announced by the BIE following a vote by its 160 member nations in November 2013.


Eiffel Tower, Heinz Tomato Ketchup

Since 1851, World Expos have provided unique opportunities for people from across the globe to appreciate the world’s cultural diversity and marvel at its technological wonders. Held every five years for a period of six months, the event attracts millions of visitors.

Highlights of previous World Expos include The Eiffel Tower, which was purpose built to serve as the entrance arch for the 1889 Expo in Paris, France. The first World Expo in the United States, in 1876, is famous for introducing the public to the first telephone, the first commercial typewriter ... and Heinz Tomato Ketchup.


Better City — Better Life

Most recently, the 2010 World Expo was held in Shanghai, China, with the theme “Better City - Better Life”.

More than 73 million people visited, with as many as 1.03 million on just one day – October 16, 2010.

The next World Expo will take place in Milan, Italy, in 2015 with a focus on “Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life”. It is expected to attract 21 million visitors.

The Higher Committee for Hosting the World Expo 2020 was formed by decree by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister, in his capacity as Ruler of Dubai.

His Highness Shaikh Ahmad Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman of Emirates Group, serves as Chairman of the Committee.

Additional committee members include: Mohammad Ebrahim Al Shaibani, Director of Dubai Ruler’s Office, who serves as Deputy Chairman; Reem Al Hashemi, Minister of State and the Committee’s Managing Director; and Ahmad Abdullah Al Shaikh, Director General of Dubai Government Media Office; and Hilal Saeed Al Marri, CEO of Dubai World Trade Centre.

The committee submits regular reports directly to His Highness Shaikh Mohammad on the outcomes, milestones, challenges, solutions, proposals and recommendations towards achieving the ultimate goal of ensuring success in hosting World Expo 2020.


http://gulfnews.com/business/general...-2020-1.987502

[Face81]

Tuesday, Feb 28, 2012

DUBAI (Zawya Dow Jones)--Dubai is ready to spend as much as $4 billion on infrastructure and construction projects should it be picked to host the World Expo in 2020, the emirate's officials said Tuesday.

"The estimates we have of what other countries had spent on hosting such an expo in the past, range between $2 billion to $4 billion on projects related to the expo including developing of infrastructure and construction... And Dubai looks to spend a similar sum," Hilal Al Marri, CEO of Dubai World Trade Centre told reporters.

However, "what Dubai will be spending on campaigning until the name of the host is announced on November 2013, will be a really small amount. The $2 billion to $4 billion, give or take, will be spent on expo-related projects until 2020 if we get to host it," he later told Zawya Dow Jones on the sidelines of a conference that launched the United Arab Emirates' campaign to host the 2020 World Expo in Dubai.


Dubai, which is competing with five other candidates including Russia, Brazil, and Turkey, still has to convince the 160 member-countries of the Bureau International des Expositions, or BIE, to vote for it, according to Vicente Loscertales, BIE's secretary general.

The U.A.E. has proposed, in its bid last year, to host the six-month Expo at its yet-to-be constructed "Exhibition City", an ambitious 400-hectare site to be developed on the southwestern edge of Dubai, close to the emirate's second international flight hub, Al Maktoum International Airport.


-By Leila Hatoum, Dow Jones Newswires; +971-4-446-1686; leila.hatoum@dowjones.com

Copyright (c) 2012 Dow Jones & Co.

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

28-02-12 1152GMT


http://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZW20120228000052/Dubai-to-invest-$4-bn-if-picked-to-host-World-Expo-2020-Official

[Imre]

Sheikh Mohammed also posted on Facebook:



His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum

أطلقنا اليوم رسميا حملتنا لاستضافة معرض أكسبو العالمي 2020 في الإمارات، المعرض يستمر 6 أشهر ويستضيف الملايين من جميع أنحاء العالم ..سنعمل على حشد التأييد الدولي من 156 دولة، وأبناء الإمارات قادرين على استضافة أكبر تظاهرة ثقافية عالمية .. وعلى إبهار العالم ..

Today we launched our campaign to host the World Expo 2020 in UAE. The exhibition lasts for 6 months and hosts millions of visitors. We will work for international support from 156 countries. UAE is able to host the world's largest cultural event and to impress the world.

Like · · Share · 23433 · 5 minutes ago ·

https://www.facebook.com/#!/HHSheikhMohammed

[Face81]

Good find, Imre.

Let's hope Dubai gets it