Expo 2020 Dubai held a second "remote" meeting for its steering committee, with representatives of the countries participating in the international event, as part of the ongoing consultations on the impact of "Covid-19" on the world's preparations for Expo 2020 Dubai.
The participating countries informed the Steering Committee of the precautionary measures taken by the countries of the world to ensure the health and safety of all those involved in preparing for the huge international event.
The Steering Committee also reviewed with great interest the impact of the spread of "Covid-19" on public health, society and the economy in the world ... Members reaffirmed their solidarity with the international community, at a time when the Committee is examining the implications of this unprecedented global crisis.
The organizers of Expo 2020 Dubai reaffirmed the commitment of the United Arab Emirates to work hand in hand with international partners to organize an international expo that faithfully reflects the purpose for which it was established, and that is to be a comprehensive international forum to address common challenges and seek solutions to those challenges in the spirit of international cooperation Solidarity .. These conditions reinforce the need for Expo 2020 as an international forum, more than ever.
The Committee agreed collectively to request the International Bureau of Exhibitions, which is the intergovernmental organization responsible for the International Expo, to study the issue of postponing the opening of Expo 2020 for a year within the legal framework in force .. The International Exhibitions Bureau will now work with Member States and Expo 2020 Dubai organizers to consider changing Dates .. The General Assembly of the International Bureau of Exhibitions alone has the right to take the final decision on the postponement .. Article 28 of the agreement of the International Bureau of Exhibitions stipulates that any amendment to the dates necessitates a vote of Member States by a two-thirds majority.
Regarding this decision, the Minister of State for International Cooperation Affairs, Director General of the Expo 2020 Dubai office, Reem Bint Ibrahim Al Hashemi, said: The situation is developing rapidly in the world, and its developments cannot be predicted, during the past weeks, we have been consulting continuously with the main stakeholders in the United Arab Emirates United and the world, to review the impact of "Covid-19" on our plans and equipment for Expo 2020 Dubai .. While they are still firmly committed to participating in Expo 2020 Dubai, many countries have been affected a lot by Covid-19, and therefore these countries have expressed their need to postpone the opening Expo 2020 Dubai for one year, which allows it to Overcame this challenge .. I have heard them, the United Arab Emirates and Expo 2020 Dubai .. and in a spirit of solidarity and unity, we supported a proposal request for the study of the question of postponement for one year during the Steering Committee meeting today. We look forward to welcoming the world, which we are fully confident that this challenge will increase its strength and determination after overcoming it ... We will adhere to the legal procedures of the International Exhibition Office for the decision to set up Expo 2020 Dubai .. Our collective commitment remains firm and strong to organize an international Expo that responds to the requirements of the stage that humanity is going through and responds For our shared and urgent priorities .. We believe that humanity needs to unite now more than ever in light of this global challenge, in order to remember what unites us. This remains the common aspiration of all participants in this edition of the World Expo. "
The Secretary-General of the International Bureau of Exhibitions, Dmitriy Kreknitz, expressed his welcome to the Expo 2020 Dubai organizers ’approach and the recommendations of the Steering Committee .. He said: The world faces exceptional and unprecedented conditions .. We all expect challenges to continue in the coming months .. Agreement of the organizer and members of the Expo 2020 Dubai Steering Committee Today, discussing options to postpone the launch of the Expo for a year is welcome.
According to the Paris Agreement of 1928, any decision regarding the International Expo must be taken through cooperation and agreed upon collectively through the vote of the member states of the International Exhibitions Bureau. We will go ahead with overseeing the process so that it is in line with the rules and regulations of the International Exhibitions Bureau agreement ... I am certain that together we will overcome the challenges brought about by this global crisis. The UAE’s decision to support the one-year delay is issued by a reality, openness, and commitment to present an event that lives up to our common ambition .. We are all confident in the UAE’s ability to host an international Expo that inspires and delights millions at the right time.
The CEO of the Korea Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) and Commissioner-General of the Republic of Korea at Expo 2020 Dubai, Byung-Oh Kwon, said that seeing all the participants in Expo 2020 Dubai meet with a message of solidarity and support is very encouraging. The International Expo is the event in which the world meets to present the best of humanity. In this difficult time in many places, it is more important than ever that this event will see the light in the best possible way and at the right time. We value the organizers' proactive approach and their full support.
We commend the organizers of Expo 2020 Dubai and the United Arab Emirates for their openness, active participation and support for the participants in these exceptional circumstances that we all face. Bringing humanity together in one place to celebrate all that unites us will be more necessary than ever after this pandemic has receded ... We remain fully committed to doing our part in making this World Expo truly unforgettable, allowing everyone to experience and enjoy it. Therefore, we fully agree with the collective decision taken today to consider our best options as the Expo family.
“We can see the best of humanity around the world, as people work together to save lives and contain this virus,” said Dr. Malik Diop, Commissioner-General of Senegal at Expo 2020 Dubai. The World Expo is about the best that humanity can offer. We look forward to meeting in Dubai when the conditions are right to celebrate what I trust will be an unprecedented international event.
The Expo 2020 Dubai International Commissioner-General said that the international expo is a place where the world meets. After a year in which the climate of isolation and social separation has clouded, you can imagine how the world will be eager to continue humanity and its cooperation in 2021. Indonesia hopes that the General Assembly of the International Exhibitions Office will agree to the postponement, and we can all look forward to a better and brighter tomorrow in 2021.
Justin McGowan, the Commissioner-General of Australia at Expo 2020 Dubai, said if the General Assembly of the International Bureau of Exhibitions decides to postpone, this decision will give us an additional year to make this version of the International Expo more inspiring.
Within a year, the world will be a completely different place, and the Expo will be an opportunity to highlight our capabilities and our vision for the future. At the moment, we need to direct our energies to something else.
The organizers of Expo 2020 Dubai will continue to assess the situation and consult closely with all stakeholders in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates and the world.