Excitement builds up for extraordinary Expo

Whatever Dubai does, it does so with a touch of class and grandeur. The enthusiasm and remarkable speed at which the Emirate is gearing up for World Expo 2020 makes it abundantly certain that the event will turn out to be extraordinary.

The world will witness the amazing international event, which will be a cultural platform for gathering countries for 173 days in one place, to showcase their cultures, heritage and histories to 25 million potential visitors.

As Ahmed Al Khateeb, CEO of Development and Real Estate Development at the Expo 2020 Dubai, outlined recently, the Expo will not only feature buildings and pavilions that will impress visitors, but also trails, fountains and parks that will capture their attention, as well as the Al Wasl Dome, which will serve as a giant screen.

The Expo has allocated an area of 220,000 square metres to a nursery for plants and trees, which will cultivate 12,157 trees, including palm trees, over 256,000 shrubs, thousands of flowering plants and herbs, in cooperation with the Dubai Municipality.

It is enriching to note that the Expo has employed eco-friendly methods in the design and construction stages of the nursery. Solar-powered lights have been installed along the main road and the nursery’s team relies exclusively on organic fertilisers and recycle the nursery’s waste.

Dubai is building an advanced transport system through several vital projects that will serve the expected 25 million visitors of Expo 2020 Dubai.

Plans have been drafted according to the highest international standards, to provide visitors with a leading mass transportation system, which includes the Dubai Metro, buses, taxis, as well as private cars.

Interestingly, Emirati women account for 60 per cent of workers at the Expo 2020 Dubai, reflecting the UAE’s vision of women’s empowerment.

The Expo provides an attractive working environment for innovative Emirati women, empowering them and enabling them to benefit from their creativity, reflecting the slogan, “Connecting Minds, Creating the Future.”

Reem Bint Ibrahim Al Hashemy, Minister of State for International Cooperation and Director-General of the Expo 2020 Office, holds the most important executive position in the Expo project.

Singapore has added its name to the glittering list of participants. The Singapore Pavilion, titled ‘Nature. Nurture. Future’, will pay tribute to Singapore’s journey towards growth, sustainability, and resilience.

Expo 2020 Dubai will mark Singapore’s fourth presentation at a World Expo, having also participated in 2000, 2005, and 2010. Singapore’s participation undoubtedly underlines its close bilateral ties with the UAE, and is bound to facilitate further expansion of Singapore’s network in the Middle East region and will also deepen the engagement between the two countries.

Japan too broke ground for its pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai on Monday. The facade of its pavilion will combine Arabesque and Asanoha patterns, representing the long history of connections and crossing of cultures between Japan and the Middle East.

Guests will be welcomed by a three-dimensional facade, which draws inspiration from Japanese Origami shapes that symbolise the respect shown to others through the Japanese art of Origata gift wrapping.

During the peak six-month period of the World Expo, the event is predicted to add the equivalent of 1.5 per cent to UAE Gross Domestic Product.

Going by the enthusiastic preparations, Expo 2020 will be a celebration of human creativity. Hosting such a mega event is clear testimony of the capabilities of the UAE and reflects the international trust in its abilities.