Sheikh Hamdan: Covid-19 vaccines for Expo 2020 participant officials

Dubai Expo inoculation offer comes amid successful coronavirus vaccination campaign

A statue in the Mobility Pavilion. Courtesy: Dubai Expo 2020

The UAE pavilion with Al Wasl Plaza in the background seen from above at the Dubai Expo 2020 site. Courtesy: Dubai Expo 2020

Al Wasl Plaza, seen behind new buildings at the Expo site. Dubai Expo 2020

The Sustainability Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai site. Courtesy: Dubai Expo 2020

The Expo Entry Portal at the Sustainability District at Dubai Expo 2020 site. Courtesy: Dubai Expo 2020

The Children and Science Centre with Al Wasl Plaza in the background.  Courtesy: Dubai Expo 2020

Al Wasl Plaza's dome, where the opening ceremony will be displayed next year. Courtesy: Dubai Expo 2020

Al Wasl Plaza, the centre of the expo site and where the opening and closing ceremonies will be held. Courtesy: Dubai Expo 2020

Inside the Mobility District at the expo site. Courtesy: Dubai Expo 2020

Inside the Opportunity Pavilion at the expo site. Courtesy: Dubai Expo 2020

Inside the Opportunity Pavilion at the expo site. Courtesy: Dubai Expo 2020

All official representatives of the countries taking part in Expo 2020 Dubai are to be offered Covid-19 vaccines.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, announced the move on Wednesday.

It came as he chaired an Executive Council meeting at the Expo 2020 headquarters.

The council also approved initiatives in developing government services and improving the lives of residents.

Sheikh Hamdan, meanwhile, said the Expo would open Dubai's arms to the world.

The six-month Expo starts in October. It was postponed in 2020 because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

However, the UAE's comprehensive response to the pandemic laid the groundwork for a successful 2021 launch.

Chief among these is one of the world's fastest vaccination programmes with 8.70 million doses administered, which represents a rate of 88.04 doses per 100 people.