One-year postponement confirmed for Expo 2020 Dubai

Expo 2020 Dubai is to be postponed for 12 months with a two-thirds majority of Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) Member States voting overnight in favour of moving the dates of the next World Expo.

With global tourism massively impacted by the Coronavirus pandemic and host nation Dubai fearing that visitation to the World Expo would not reach expectations, the global mega event will now run from 1st October 2021 to 31st March 2022.

A statement released by the Expo 2020 Dubai organisers advised that the delay “allows all participants to safely navigate the impact of COVID-19, and allows the World Expo to focus on a collective desire for new thinking to identify solutions to some of the greatest challenges of our time.

“Expo 2020 Dubai is gearing up to help shape a post-pandemic world and create a better future for all.”

Welcoming the BIE’s decision, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Airports, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Group, and Chairman of the Expo 2020 Dubai Higher Committee, stated “this swift and overwhelming vote reflects the strength of our international partnerships and truly reflects the positive role the UAE and Dubai play with all countries around the world.

“This affirmation by the international community of Dubai’s offering and its ability to deliver, further strengthens our commitment to matching ambition with achievement to hosting an event that will capture the world’s imagination, when the time is right.”

With a BIE General Assembly impossible to stage due to COVID-19 restrictions, Member States voted remotely on the BIE Executive Committee’s recommendation for a delay as proposed by the United Arab Emirates Government at the beginning of April and recommended by the BIE Executive Committee on 21st April.

While the vote remains open until 29th May, the two-thirds threshold was surpassed within a week of voting opening on 24th April.

Despite the change of date, Expo 2020 Dubai will retain its name and, as the organisers advise “remains committed to hosting an exceptional event that will celebrate humanity’s resilience, creativity, culture and innovation - including major technological advances in the fields of medicine and science.”

The first World Expo to be held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region, and largest ever event to take place in the Arab world, Expo 2020 will welcome 192 countries, plus businesses, multilateral organisations and educational establishments.

Images: The planned UAE Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai (top) and an aerial concept of the Expo precinct (below).