Abu Dhabi: Officials from Milan and the UAE on Tuesday marked the start of a five-year countdown to the opening of Expo 2020 in Dubai.
Expo Milano 2015 also marked the UAE’s National day as Italy prepared to bring its Expo to a close in just under two weeks. A ceremony was attended by members of the Expo 2020 Higher Committee, as well as many members of the local and federal government sector.
The National Media Council (NMC) hosted various events at the UAE’s pavilion at the Expo Milano 2015 as part of the country’s National Day celebrations. The NMC marked the occasion with a flag hoisting ceremony.
“Exactly five years from today, on October 20, Expo 2020 Dubai will open its gates to the world. Coming at a time of our Nation’s Golden Jubilee, it is particularly meaningful to have been chosen as the first nation in our region to host a World Expo,” said Reem Al Hashemi, the UAE’s Minister of State and Board Representative of the Expo 2020 Dubai Higher Committee and Director General of Bureau Dubai Expo 2020.
The next few months are expected to see a number of developments at Expo 2020, with official registration starting in November 2015. When the event opens in five years, it is projected to be the most international Expo in history, with 70 per cent of the expected 25 million visits coming from other countries.
Al Hashemi said that the Expo 2020 will give the UAE the opportunity “to excite, encourage, enthuse, and enthral millions of people from hundreds of countries not just in five years’ time, but in the years that follow Expo 2020 Dubai.”
Also speaking at the event in Milan was Dr Sultan Ahmad Al Jaber, the UAE’s Minister of State, who said, “Since the Great Exhibition of 1851, World Expos have encouraged big ideas, seeded solutions to the world’s toughest problems, and propelled society forward. The UAE is extremely proud to be part of this crucial process in Italy and welcomes the opportunity to [carry] it forward.”
He added that the UAE’s participation in Expo Milano has allowed it to connect with a global audience, and boost its efforts in engaging with the international community to advance global development.
Meanwhile, Etihad Airways, the Abu Dhabi-based carrier, marked the UAE’s National Day celebrations in Milan with over 20 students from GEMS Education schools in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
“The various activities hosted by Etihad Airways at Expo Milano 2015 for GEMS students are examples of real-world learning which will add a new dimension to our student enrichment,” said Dino Varkey, Group Executive Director and Board Member, GEMS Education. ”Such authentic opportunities have a great potential to impact the future careers and accomplishments of the young people involved. They are our future and developing an understanding of Expo’s importance is truly connecting minds, and creating the future which is the theme of the Expo 2020 Dubai.”
More than 284,000 guests have visited the joint Etihad Airways/Alitalia pavilion at Expo Milano 2015 in the past six months, while the UAE’s pavilion at Expo Milano attracted over 1.1 million visitors throughout the period.
Set to run from October 20, 2020 to April 10, 2021, Expo Dubai 2020 will be held under the theme of “Connecting Minds, Creating the Future,” and will highlight the economy of the UAE and broader region.
