Dubai Expo 2020 will ‘serve as catalyst’ to connect minds around the world

The CEO of Dubai World Trade Centre and Expo Preparatory Committee member has presented an update including key milestones and timelines for delivery to the governing body of the World Expo.

An artist’s rendering of the Dubai Expo 2020 site looking across towards Al Wasl Plaza. Courtesy Dubai Expo 2020

The master plan for Dubai’s hosting of Expo 2020 has been updated and presented in Paris.

Helal Saeed Almarri, director general of the Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing, CEO of Dubai World Trade Centre and Expo preparatory committee member, presented a progress update, including key milestones and timelines for delivery, at an executive committee session of the Bureau of International Expositions (BIE), the governing body of the World Expo.

Construction on the 438-hectare Expo 2020 site at Jebel Ali will begin early next year, with all major work due to be finished by October 2019.

The site, which will attract an estimated 25 million visitors from October 20, 2020 to April 10, 2021, will include a gated 150-hectare Expo Village and a surrounding residential, hospitality and logistics zone.

“The sheer level of detail that has already been developed for the master plan means that we are significantly advanced with the requirements for the immediate next stage of delivery and well on-track to ensuring timely and holistic implementation,” said Mr Almarri.

The Expo Village, which will provide full-time housing for staff from participating countries, is scheduled to be finished by 2018.

After this the construction of the pavilion will commence.

“One of our strongest assets during the bid was a robust and well progressed master plan with a clear existing legacy which Dubai World Trade Centre, as developer of the Expo 2020 site, has continued to evolve and drive forward rigorously to ensure that we are on track to delivering a truly exceptional World Expo in 2020,” said Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Expo 2020 preparatory higher committee chairman.

Dubai Expo 2020 will feature a one country-one pavilion policy for the first time in expo history.

“Dubai Expo 2020 will serve as a catalyst, connecting minds from around the world and inspiring participants to mobilise themselves around shared challenges, during a World Expo of unprecedented global scope,” said Reem Al Hashimy, Minister of State and preparatory committee member.

The gated Expo area will include three zones that will each be dedicated to one of the sub-themes: mobility, sustainability and opportunity.

There will also be a Welcome Pavilion and an Innovation Pavilion near the north entrance as well as three souqs, each located at the heart of the three theme zones.

“Collaboration and innovation are cornerstones of the master plan,” said Mr Almarri. “Layering the Expo’s key requirements on this base, and building on sound design principles rooted in a clear longer term legacy, is the modus operandi of a viable Expo master plan that will ensure Dubai Expo 2020 sets a new standard for global mega events.”

The exhibition site is designed to host 300,000 visitors at peak times, with an average of 153,000 visitors on a week day.

The Dubai Metro’s Red Line will be extended with a dedicated station built at the Expo site.

Abdul Mohsin Younes, chief executive of strategy and corporate governance at the RTA, said construction of the extension will begin next year.

“Connectivity to the Expo site is of course a major priority and is a collaborative effort between the RTA, Dubai Municipality, Dubai Airports and other key Expo stakeholders,” said Mr Almarri.

Registration documents must be given to the BIE by 2015.