The potential postponement of Expo 2020 could result in short-term inconvenience offset by long-term benefits When Dubai won the bid to host Expo 2020 in November 2013, celebratory fireworks lit up the Burj Khalifa and Dubai’s Crown Prince, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed al-Maktoum, waved the UAE flag from the top of the tower. It was a moment of pride: the first time that a World Exposition would be held in the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia region. In a statement at that time, UAE...

On 18 March, Expo 2020 Dubai held a virtual steering committee, which involved a discussion with representatives from participating nations on the impact of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic on their preparations. “Our immediate priority is the health and well-being of everyone involved in Expo 2020 Dubai, and this will not be compromised,” said Reem al-Hashimy, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation and director general, Expo 2020 Dubai. “Our monitoring of ongoing...

Thai hospitality and the latest technological advances will be the focus of the country’s presence at the expo Thailand plans to showcase more than just its renowned hospitality at Expo 2020. It will also capitalise on the opportunity to demonstrate its expertise in other areas, under the government’s Thailand 4.0 strategic plan. Located in the Mobility district at the expo site, ‘Mobility for the Future’ will be the theme for Thailand’s pavilion. The country’s digital capabilities will be in...

The UAE has proposed changing the Expo 2020 Dubai dates to 1 October 2021–31 March 2022 The Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), the intergovernmental organisation supervising World Expos, has announced that it will hold a virtual meeting of its executive committee on 21 April 2020 to discuss options for a change of dates for World Expo 2020 Dubai. The Expo 2020 steering committee, comprising officials from the UAE and other participating nations, recommended the delay after conducting...

The UAE has one of the highest per capita water consumption rates in the world at 500 litres a day, according to the US-based International Trade Administration. Coupled with the country’s limited natural water resources, this means that maintaining a sufficient water supply and reducing water wastage are top priorities for the UAE government. Currently, the UAE’s water requirements are primarily met through thermal desalination plants while a smaller share is met by reverse osmosis plants....