32 Feature EXPO DUBAI 2020
Life beyond 2020
As Expo 2020 Dubai draws near, the landmark event promises to leave behind a lasting legacy
In 2020, Dubai will be propelled onto the world stage like never before as millions of people pour into the emirate for Expo 2020 Dubai. Around 25 million visitors from more than 180 countries are expected to attend between October 2020 and April 2021. While the short-term goal is to deliver an
exceptional event, just as important is the crea- tion of a meaningful legacy for the UAE and the type of footprint the expo will leave behind. The Expo 2020 Dubai theme is ‘Connect-
ing Minds, Creating the Future’. As such, its strategy is intrinsically linked to the UAE Vision 2021 which calls for the country to become one of the world’s leading nations by the time it celebrates its Golden Jubilee in 2021. “To achieve this, there are two key objec-
tives: creating a competitive knowledge econ- omy and promoting a sustainable approach to the environment and infrastructure,” explains Najeeb Mohammed Al-Ali, Executive Director, Bureau Expo 2020 Dubai.
1 The expo’s sub-themes of opportunity,
mobility and sustainability closely comple- ment these objectives. Breaking down each of the themes, Al-Ali explains that the concept of ‘opportunity’ relates to unlocking the poten- tial of individuals and communities in order to shape a better future, while the ‘mobility’ theme aims to enable a smarter and more produc- tive movement of people and goods, as well as of new ideas. The environmental theme of ‘sustainabil-
ity’, meanwhile, champions “living in balance with our planet”, he says. Al-Ali suggests that the development of a
knowledge economy requires three important elements – nurturing innovation, encouraging entrepreneurship and supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs). “Expo 2020 Dubai delivers on all of these
fronts, with key programmes promoting diver- sification and education, while also stimulating local businesses, and creating jobs,” he says.
A LASTING FOOTPRINT To assist the country in its quest to become a sustainability leader, UAE Vision 2021 also calls for 24 percent of the nation’s energy to be derived from clean energy sources by that date. “Expo 2020 Dubai has committed to
producing half of the energy required for the event from renewable sources,” remarks Al-Ali. “Sustainability is a core theme for our expo.
We are creating a platform for public education as well as continuing to engage with govern- ment and private sector participants in our drive to build a sustainable future.” Earlier this year, the expo team revealed
details of the hotly-anticipated Sustainability Pavilion. It is planned that the structure, located in the centre of the expo site, will be the inspi- ration for a new generation of “guardians of the earth’s welfare”. The pavilion is expected to be a magnet for
expo visitors interested in science and sustaina- bility best practice. When the event closes, it will
be turned into a science exploratorium, thereby ensuring it continues as an educational hub. Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimy, UAE
Minister of State for International Cooperation and Director General, Expo 2020 Dubai, says the pavilion and its exhibitions are the building blocks of a more important overall ambition to make a fundamental change to the mindset of its visitors, the nation and the region. “Sustainability is at the heart of this World
Expo and the legacy we aim to leave behind for the region. Our Sustainability Pavilion will play a major part in this effort and serve as an oasis for sustainable and innovative experiences and practices – linking to the strategy of the UAE government to be a leader in sustainability on a global scale,” she explains. “With the world’s population growing at
such a rate and consumption of our natural resources expanding ever faster, we need all converts to a more sustainable way of living we can find and we should start with the young.
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1 Artist impression of the Expo 2020 Dubai site 2 Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation and Director General, Expo 2020 Dubai
3 Najeeb Mohammed Al-Ali, Executive Director, Bureau Expo 2020 Dubai 4 &5 Artist impressions of the Sustainability Pavilion
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