"Ladies and gentlemen, Dubai wins."
It only took 5 words to bring moments of euphoria in the UAE when the chosen location for the prominent world fair was announced in 2013. 164 nation members were entitled to vote and Dubai emerged triumphant with a resounding majority of 116 votes, leaving 47 votes to Yekaterinburg, Russia.
Reem Al Hashemi, the managing director of the Dubai World Expo 2020 bid committee and Minister of State had delivered the winning speech to the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) committee. She received warm applause for her 20-minute presentation about Dubai’s strengths of stability, infrastructure, and diversity.
What is Expo?
Expo is a global destination to brainstorm ideas, display innovation, motivate collaboration, and celebrate humanity. It is held every 5 years and lasts for 6 months. The very first World Expo was in 1851 at London’s Crystal Palace. It was dubbed as “The Great Exhibition of the Works of Industry of All Nations.”
Few of the most incredible inventions were first showcased in the expo. To name some, there is the telegraph in London (1851), the typewriter in Philadelphia (1876), the diesel engine in Paris (1900), the coloured TV in New York (1964). IMAX film in Osaka (1970), and wireless trams in Yeosu (2012).
Where will it be located?
Dubai South will be the Expo site. It is near Al Maktoum International Airport. It has 4 main entrances and covers 4.38 sq. km. of land. The Dubai Metro Route 2020 will carry 46,000 passengers per hour back and forth from the site under 16 minutes from Dubai Marina.
What can you expect?
The very heart of Expo 2020 will be the Al Wasl Plaza–which will manifest the primary theme of the Expo: “Connecting Minds, Creating the Future.” Events like opening and closing programs will be held in the plaza.
In April 2017, the public was given a sneak peek of the expected shape up of the Al Wasl Plaza. A dome will be set up as a 360-degree screen at night, displaying images to thousands of visitors in and out the place.
The partly top-opened dome has a holding capacity of 10,000 estimated visitors. It will be 65m tall with a diameter of 150m. It will be filled with waterfalls, fountains, palm-lined courtyards, and waterfalls. Each participating nation will have a pavilion, same as each for sustainability, mobility, and opportunity.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid even encourages the youth to participate in the most anticipated event in 2020. "The event is one of the largest global gatherings that bring together the world’s greatest minds to discuss how we can shape the future,' he said.
"The youth should play a key part in this mega event and get opportunities to observe, learn and contribute creative ideas so that they can develop innovative solutions for creating a better future for our region and the world."
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