The Expo Steering Committee discussed progress during the first three weeks

Reem Al Hashemi: We strive to leave a positive impact and legacy

  • Reem Al Hashemi: "We are witnessing the power of positive change that comes from bringing 192 countries together in one place."

  • Dimitri Kerkenzis: "The UAE and the participants offer an exceptional experience for visitors from all over the world."

  • The committee appreciated the measures taken regarding “Covid-19” and its prevention.

    Photography: Patrick Castillo

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The Expo 2020 Dubai Steering Committee confirmed the active participation and attendance of the UAE leadership in the global event.

She noted the turnout witnessed by the international event, the increasing number of visitors, and discussed the progress achieved during the first three weeks of the event.

This came in the first meeting of the committee, with the participation of the Minister of State for International Cooperation, Director General of "Expo 2020 Dubai", Reem Ibrahim Al-Hashemi, and the Secretary-General of the International Bureau of Exhibitions, Dimitri Kerkenzis, representatives of a number of participating countries, and officials from the exhibition.

Al Hashemi said: "We are already witnessing the power of positive change that comes by bringing 192 countries together in one place, as part of an effort to build partnerships and leave a positive impact and legacy."

She added, "We are witnessing global cooperation at the Expo, which is a unique opportunity to learn more about each other, and about ourselves as well, so that we can build a better tomorrow."

"The UAE, Expo and all the international participants together offer an exceptional experience for visitors from all over the world," said Dimitri Kerkenzis.

He stressed that "what the organizers have done to host the event is a source of happiness and reassurance, and we look forward to what the coming weeks and months will bring."

The meeting of the committee, which includes general commissioners from 34 countries, was chaired by the Commissioner-General of the Switzerland Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai, Manuel Salchely.

Salishli said: “During the first month of the Expo, we witnessed an exceptional commitment from international participants and organizers to provide a unique visitor experience through pavilions, events and programmes.

I am confident that this international cooperation will, in the coming months, support the objectives of the international participants, which is to better represent their countries and work to address global challenges.”

The members of the committee praised in particular the cultural performances of the countries that celebrate their national holidays at the Expo, and the highlighting of the performances held in Al Wasl Square - the global cultural landmark - at the heart of the Expo site, which embodies the main event slogan “Connecting Minds and Creating the Future.”

The committee drew attention to the success achieved in the first two weeks of the theme weeks within the “Man and Planet Earth” program, where the “Climate and Biodiversity” week and the “Space” week attended more than 5,000 visitors, and global experts, leaders, businessmen, civil society activists and others contributed to more than 40 events designed to address and find solutions to some of the most pressing problems of our time.

The committee praised the measures taken regarding “Covid-19” and its prevention at the Expo 2020 site, and throughout the UAE, in order to provide an event that is safe for participants and visitors alike.

The UAE has successfully organized one of the fastest vaccination programs in the world, with more than 85% of the population receiving two doses.

Earlier this week, daily cases fell below 100 for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic, which contributed to increasing the capacity of Expo 2020 facilities to 80% while maintaining social distancing and mandatory use of masks.

The committee continues to review the operational capabilities of the Expo site, and consider further improvements to ensure that visitors from all over the world continue to explore and enjoy the Expo experience.

The latest figures indicate that “Expo 2020 Dubai” received more than 770,000 visits from 1 to 17 October, excluding representatives of countries, delegations, international guests, partners, as well as international event employees.

The committee recommended that all approved visitors be included in the attendance numbers in the future.

• "International experts, leaders and businessmen contributed to 40 events to address the problems of our time."

• «The UAE has succeeded in organizing one of the fastest vaccination programs in the world».