(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) Â Princess Haya presents Expo 2020 objectives, says event will herald new era of global partnership and innovation
Courtesy: Youtube.com/Sheikhmohammed.ae
Pledging the most memorable international World Expo in the 169-year history of the event, Princess Haya bint Hussein, wife of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, said on Wednesday the UAE was ready to herald a new era of global partnership and innovation.
Unveiling one of Dubai Expo 2020's flagship initiatives, Expo Live, in a presentation to the 166 member nations of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) in Paris, Princess Haya highlighted the UAE bid's overarching theme - Connecting Minds, Creating the Future. She said global partnerships would be the foundation and legacy of Dubai Expo 2020.
In attendance were Shaikh Mohammed; Shaikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai; Shaikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Foreign Minister; and members of the Higher Committee for Dubai Expo 2020 led by Shaikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum.
Building on the bid's theme of partnership, Expo Live would start to deliver on the promise of global collaboration as early as 2014. Expo Live would make Dubai Expo 2020 not just a global showcase event, but also a powerful engine of innovation for future progress, Princess Haya pledged.
The presentation explained how Expo Live would challenge the world to identify the greatest global issues for the 21st century across the three Dubai Expo 2020 sub-themes of Mobility, Sustainability and Opportunity. Princess Haya said the UAE's dramatic transformation in the past 40 years was led by vision, by hard work and most important of all, by partnership.
Drawing on the UAE's history and heritage, Dubai Expo 2020 would create a living example of what could be achieved when talents, ambitions and passions were pooled together, she said, adding that the spirit of partnership was where World Expos drew their greatest strengths. "The true legacy of any Expo is not in its physical buildings or monuments, but in the connections it makes, the people it inspires and the future it builds. World Expos have a remarkable ability to bring people together to discuss, engage and innovate. New models are showcased, new ideas are inspired and new partnerships are created. The theme of Dubai Expo 2020, Connecting Minds, Creating the Future is just such a pledge of partnership," Princess Haya said.
Dubai and the UAE would be enriched by the Expo values, uniting the region and the world with the first World Exposition held in the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia region, and enhanced by the joyful national celebrations of the UAE's 50th anniversary, she said.
"Thanks to the UAE's unmatched infrastructure, strategic geographic positioning and global connectivity, World Expo 2020 in Dubai will attract an estimated 25 million visitors.
As 70 per cent of these attendees were expected to come from outside the country, it would be the first time in World Expo history that a majority of visitors would originate from outside the host nation."
During the General Assembly, bidding cities were informed of the results of the BIE Enquiry Missions conducted earlier this year to assess the feasibility of each candidate city and nation. The BIE General Assembly formally adopted the candidature of the United Arab Emirates, having met the required criteria. The UAE Enquiry Mission took place in February and the country was commended for the level of national support as well as for the strength and vision of its bid in line with the traditions and values of World Expo.
In accordance with BIE regulations, every country must submit an aid package as part of their file. The UAE presented a development assistance package of 150 million euros ensuring strong representation for all developing nations.
The final presentation will be held in November 2013 at the next BIE General Assembly and the winner will be announced following a vote by the member nations.
"As a small country in a challenging region, we recognise only too well both the opportunity and the necessity of being innovative. To succeed we must challenge the conventional norm. We must seek new ways of doing things and of doing them in collaboration," Princess Haya told the assembly.
"Ever since the earliest days of the Federation, the UAE has invited the world to help create its future. I am proud to say that over the years, we have visited each and every country represented in this hall today.
"We have learnt from you. We have shared our story. And together we have developed means to strengthen our relationships."
She said Dubai Expo 2020 boat had already sailed over 40,000km to connect with communities all over the world.
It is a journey of learning and discovery about the wealth of human potential that inspires our Expo ambitions and motivates us to be the catalyst for real change, she added.
Dubai Expo 2020 would gather one of the most diverse groups of partners ever assembled for a World Expo, Princess Haya said, adding that every nation would have the opportunity to showcase the best they have to offer.
"We have designed an unprecedented innovation and partnership programme called Expo Live, which has its roots in great exhibitions that had brought something new to the world: objects, ideas and knowledge that have forever changed our perspectives," she added.
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