International participants from around the world and official business partners expressed their full support and solidarity with Expo 2020 Dubai and with a proposal to discuss the possibility of postponing the international event due to the current global health crisis.

In light of the increasing impact of the spread of the emerging epidemic of Corona virus "Covid-19" on public health, society and economy in the world, many countries have expressed the need to postpone the opening of Expo 2020 Dubai in a year, while focusing their efforts to address the global crisis.

Members of the Expo 2020 Dubai Steering Committee, which includes representatives of the Expo 2020 high leadership and the International Exhibitions Bureau, as well as representatives of participating countries, agreed to discuss options with the International Exhibitions Bureau, the intergovernmental body overseeing the International Expo, to postpone the event for a year , While affirming the solidarity of Expo 2020 Dubai with the international community.

Shri Bidiot Bihari Swain, Undersecretary of the Indian Ministry of Commerce and Commissioner-General of India at Expo 2020, said: As we look to review the best that India and the rest of the world has to offer in Expo 2020, our shared values ​​as global citizens bear the responsibility to prioritize global public health protection as the world's most urgent need. The current time .. And when the time is right, which we trust will happen soon, we will all gather to celebrate in an atmosphere of renewed optimism and hope, and in a spirit of international cooperation for the future. For the time being, we reaffirm our determination to work together to end this epidemic as soon as possible.

Dr. Ahmed Maghawry Diab, Commissioner-General of the Arab Republic of Egypt at Expo 2020 Dubai, said: Egypt appreciates the efforts made by the UAE government and the International Exhibitions Bureau to organize Expo 2020 Dubai, and we also commend their efforts to meet the needs and demands of all participants. Egypt is committed to the success of this event insofar as it is committed to all measures taken or to be agreed upon to ensure the safety of all international and domestic visitors.

"Our course has not changed; it has only become a little longer," said Sergio Segovia, Commissioner-General of Brazil at Expo 2020 Dubai. "The Expo Dubai will continue to be a wonderful event highlighting the best of humanity, and Brazil wholeheartedly supports the decision to seek postponement until 2021."

Juan Pablo Cavalier, Commissioner-General of Colombia at Expo 2020 Dubai, said: We applaud the idea of ​​the International Exhibitions Bureau and Expo 2020 Dubai organizers regarding considering new dates for Expon Valium events, more than ever, the upcoming International Expo represents an opportunity to show the world the impact of such an event. We are confident that the outcome of these efforts will result in a more influential Expo, and will better reflect the goals of the 192 participating countries.

On his part, Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Chairman and CEO of Dubai Ports World Group said: DP World is working firmly to maintain the flow of trade around the world during this crisis, in order to ensure the continuity of the countries in which we work in food, medicine and other vital commodities. . We do this by giving the highest priority to the health and safety of our people and our societies. We support the proposal to postpone the Expo 2020 Dubai, and we look forward at DP World to the opening of our booth in 2021, where we will show how the continued flow of trade will help the world recover from the crisis.

For his part, Sergio Makota, Senior Vice President for the Middle East in SAP, said: SAP expresses its support for Expo 2020 Dubai and its steering committee in examining the options available with the International Bureau of Exhibitions to postpone the international event for a year And, ensuring the health and well-being of millions of expected visitors and participants, SAP remains firmly committed as Expo 2020 Dubai Partner for innovative software solutions from the official first partner category, and we will continue our joint innovations to provide customized experiences for the world's greatest event.

Thierry Sabbagh, Managing Director of Nissan Middle East, said: This decision also reflects the sense of global citizenship embodied by Expo 2020 Dubai, this proposed delay will be seen as an opportunity for all partners to come back stronger than before, and provide a world-class experience that allows millions of visitors Celebrating it in light of the true meaning of safety, security and friendship, which the UAE has always been proud of.

For its part, Siemens, the Expo 2020 Dubai partner for infrastructure and smart operations from the category of official first partner, said: We express our full support to the Expo 2020 Dubai Steering Committee in its consideration of the possibility of postponing the event, as it is the right decision to ensure the safety and welfare of workers on the project, and means giving the world Collect the opportunity to gather when the event opens its doors. We will continue to work to create one of the smartest cities in the world, and we look forward to seeing you all in 2021.

Eugene Williamson, CEO of PepsiCo in Africa, the Middle East and South Asia, Expo 2020 Dubai Drinks and Snacks Partner of the official first partner category, said: In light of the tragic circumstances of the Covid-19 pandemic, we understand and support the decision of the organizers of Expo 2020 Dubai and its steering committee to consider Postponing this international event. We remain firmly committed to Expo 2020 Dubai, and we look forward to contributing to the implementation of an exceptional international event at the right time..We at PepsiCo understand that now, more than ever, we need to focus on the fundamental human values ​​that unite us in various countries of the world .

The International Bureau of Exhibitions will now work with member states and organizers of Expo 2020 Dubai to define the new dates, and the General Assembly of the International Exhibition Office alone has the right to make the final decision on the postponement, which requires a vote of the member states of the International Exhibitions Bureau by a two-thirds majority.

This came after discussions that lasted for weeks, internally and in consultation with the key stakeholders in the United Arab Emirates and the world, to discuss the impact of Covid-19 on the plans and equipment of Expo 2020 Dubai.

Expo 2020 Dubai is firmly committed to its endeavor to organize an international Expo that faithfully embodies the purpose for which it was founded, which is to be an international forum to address common challenges and seek solutions to those challenges in a spirit of international cooperation and solidarity. The world needs more than ever before such an event, which will bring together 192 countries, to work for a better future.

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