The Executive Committee of the International Bureau of Exhibitions unanimously agreed to postpone the "Expo 2020 Dubai" to the period from the first of October 2021 to March 31, 2022.

"Expo 2020 Dubai" confirmed in a statement yesterday that, given that changing the dates of any international "expo" requires the support of member states in the International Bureau of Exhibitions by a two-thirds majority (according to Article No. 28 of the Paris Agreement of 1928), member states will now be called to vote on Recommendation of the Executive Committee. Remote voting will take place between Friday, April 24 and Friday, May 29.

executive committee

Members of the Executive Committee met yesterday, remotely, and they are representatives of 12 countries elected by the General Assembly of the International Bureau of Exhibitions, to study changing the dates requested by the government of the Emirates. The submission of this request came after the meeting of the Steering Committee of the "Expo 2020 Dubai", on March 30, when participating countries expressed their need to postpone the opening of the international event, in order to overcome the pandemic challenges of "Covid-19".

After assessing the unexpected effect of Covid-19 on public health, economic activity, and the restrictions of the global movement, the Executive Committee agreed collectively to recommend approval of the UAE’s request to postpone the international event, and to retain the name “Expo 2020 Dubai”.

General Assembly

In view of the impossibility of holding a General Assembly, member states will be asked to cast their votes remotely before next Friday, May 29.

If the proposal secures the vote of the Member States eligible to vote and participate in it, by a two-thirds majority, then the period of the "Expo 2020 Dubai" will become official from October 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022.

"The International Expo is a collective endeavor that expresses the common international goal of advancing all of humanity," said Dimitry Kirknitz, Secretary-General of the International Exhibitions Bureau. I am confident that when the time is right, Expo 2020 Dubai will be the ideal platform to create a better and brighter future for everyone, with renewed optimism and hope. ”

France delegate and Chairman of the Executive Committee of the International Bureau of Exhibitions, Alain Bergeret, emphasized that the UAE’s readiness to listen to the participating countries, and its practical approach in taking the necessary steps towards postponement, once again demonstrate its firm commitment to hosting an inclusive and truly inspiring international Expo. The Executive Committee of the International Bureau of Exhibitions fully supports the request of the UAE regarding the postponement, and recommends that the countries of the world reach the same consensus.

Emirates request

For her part, Reem Al Hashemi, Minister of State for International Cooperation Affairs, Director General of the Expo 2020 Dubai office, said: “We welcome the recommendation issued by the Executive Committee of the International Bureau of Exhibitions to support the request of the UAE government and the Expo 2020 Dubai Steering Committee regarding the one-year delay in the international event.” .

She added, "Now the official process begins to agree to the postponement, and we look forward to constructive work with the member states of the International Exhibitions Bureau, our friends, and our partners, to confirm that the first of October 2021 is the new date that the International Expo will open, and the UAE welcomes the whole world."

Solidarity and unity

Dimitri Kirknitz, Secretary-General of the International Exhibitions Bureau, emphasized that "solidarity and unity have distinguished the work of the International Exhibitions Bureau since its birth. The "International Expo" is an expression of collective participation that brings humanity together in a spirit of peace and cooperation. Now, it is up to our member states to decide on the date of our meeting in Dubai, to celebrate innovation and cooperation for humanity. ”

Participating countries expressed their need to postpone the opening of the event, in order to overcome the challenges of «Covid-19»