Mohammed bin Rashid unveils new Dubai Expo 2020 logo

DUBAI 27th March 2016 (WAM): Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum unveiled the official logo of Dubai Expo 2020 at an event held at The Dubai Fountain at the Dubai Mall. The logo launch event was attended by Dubai Crown Prince H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Deputy Ruler of Dubai H.H. Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum apart from a large number of UAE citizens residents and visitors.

The new logo is inspired by a 4000 year-old piece of jewelry found at 'Saroug Al Hadeed' an ancient archeological site discovered by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in 2002 in the Al Marmum area.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid said: "We have chosen an authentic Emirati logo for Dubai Expo 2020. The design of the logo is inspired by a civilisation that existed 4000 years ago in an area extending from Baynounah in Abu Dhabi to Saroug Al Hadeed in Dubai and from Maliha Valley in Sharjah to the mountains of Ras al Khaimah and Fujairah. This land connected ancient civilizations and we will continue to be a hub that connects the world."

Sheikh Mohammed further said: "The Expo 2020 logo represents our message to the world that our civilization has deep roots. We were and will always be a pot that gathers civilizations and a centre for innovation. Over 4000 years ago the people who lived in this land had a deep creative spirit and today the people of this country are building the nation's future for centuries to come."

His Highness also said: "Dubai is the city of gold but the minds and hands of our citizens are more precious than gold."

During the launch event Sheikh Hamdan Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum also honoured the three finalists in the Dubai Expo 2020 logo competition that was launched last April. The competition attracted about 19000 entries.

In her speech Director General of the Dubai Expo 2020 Office and Minister of State for International Cooperation Reem Al Hashimy said that the logo reflects Dubai's aspirations for a better world which can only be achieved through cooperation and a meaningful exchange of ideas. Al Hashimy expressed her appreciation and gratitude to all those who contributed to the success of the event as well as those who participated in the logo competition.

Earlier His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum approved the Expo 2020 logo at a meeting attended by Chairman of the Supreme National Committee for Dubai Expo 2020 H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum; Chairman of the Executive Office of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Mohammed Al Gergawi; Director General of the Dubai Expo 2020 Office Reem Al Hashimy; Director General of His Highness the Ruler's Court Mohammed Al Shaibani; Mohammad Ahmad Al Murr; Director General of Dubai Municipality Hussain Nasser Lootah; and Director General of Dubai Protocol Department Khalifa Saeed Sulaiman.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid and his delegation visited the archaeological site at Saroug Al Hadeed where he was briefed on the excavations that have taken place at the site since its discovery in 2002.

The Saroug Al Hadeed archaeological site is one of the most important archaeological sites discovered in the southeast part of the Arabian Peninsula and one of the main centers for the manufacture of copper tools in the region since the beginning of the Iron Age. The site contains large amounts of metal ores. Thousands of rare artefacts have been discovered in the site including swords and daggers.