For the first time in history a World Expo is finally being held in the Middle East.
With the mind blowing theme- ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’, UAE has bagged the right to host World Expo 2020. This unique opportunity was obtained when the results of the voting was announced in Paris on Wednesday. The crucial ballot to determine the winning bid took place at the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development centre (OECD) after a series of 20-minute presentations by the bidding candidates.
The estimated total funding is to be around EUR6.5 billion for this event which for sure is going to open innumerable doors to expand and enrich Dubai economy. Dubai tourism is simply going to grow bounds as around 25 million tourists are already expected .
Brief history
The World Expos, held every five years for a period of 6 months, is a trade exhibition that attracts millions of visitors to the host country .It is a worldwide show by different countries to display their culture and creativity in architecture and technology.
Quotes
A few quotes from the wonderful speech made by Reem Al Hashemi, Minister of State and Managing Director of the Bid Committee, in her inaugural speech :
‘Today I stand before you delivering the most important speech of my life. We would be honoured and privileged to host Expo 2020 in Dubai. We began this journey with a view that we were willing to understand what the future would be and we explored ideas and thoughts. Then we defined the road map for Dubai Expo 2020. I hope in this journey you have understood us better: that we remain determined to deliver an inclusive expo. His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum attended this assembly in the initial stages and he instructed us to deliver the strongest possible bid. Today, we are joined by 10 Federal Ministers and under the guidance of Shaikh Ahmad Bin Saeed al Maktoum we deliver to you the strongest file we can. The Expo team we formed in 2011 is still with you today.’
The President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, congratulated His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, on the win and said: ‘Our joy in the UAE was doubled by the win as it coincides with the celebrations of the 42nd National Day.’
Shaikh Mohammed, in a statement, said: ‘We renew our promise to astonish the world in 2020. Dubai will bring to life our vision: Connecting Minds, Creating the Future.’ ‘I extend my thanks to His Highness Shaikh Khalifa for his great support, and to every country that voted for Dubai to host Expo2020. I am proud of our teams who earned this victory for Dubai with two years of hard work, dedication and commitment.’
General Shaikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, said: ‘The UAE has a wide and accumulated experience in hosting mega global events for decades.
Celebrations
Every nook and corner f Dubai came alive to join the celebrations along with a grand display of fireworks on Burj Khalifa. Joy erupts in all minds as felicitations keep coming in from all parts of the world .As a further step in celebrations, holidays have been declared for all educational institutions.
This is indeed a historic win for Dubai beating off rival bids from Brazil, Turkey and Russia.
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