The UAE authorities has formally requested the postponement of World Expo 2020 Dubai, the Bureau Worldwide des Expositions (BIE) mentioned in an announcement on Saturday.
The BIE’s government committee will meet nearly on April 21 to debate the postponement. The assembly will see the participation of 12 elected Member States in addition to the Secretary Basic of the BIE, Dimitri S. Kerkentzes.
Following consultations with the BIE, taking part international locations and key stakeholders, the UAE has proposed October 1, 2021, to March 31, 2022, as the brand new dates for Expo 2020 Dubai, mentioned the assertion.
The UAE government has formally requested the postponement of World Expo 2020 Dubai, the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) said in a statement on Saturday. Following consultations with the BIE, participating countries and key stakeholders, the UAE has proposed October 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022 as the new dates of Expo 2020 Dubai, said the statement.
UAE’s letter
The UAE’s formal letter was sent to Dimitri S. Kerkentzes, Secretary General of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE).
In the letter, Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation of the UAE, sought the postponement of the World Expo following in-depth discussions by the Expo 2020 Dubai Steering Committee with the Organiser and the BIE.
BIE said the UAE Government also requested approval to continue using “Expo 2020 Dubai” as the official name of the event. This decision for the delay has been taken due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and in solidarity with participating countries.
The request of the UAE Government follows a meeting of the Expo 2020 Dubai Steering Committee on March 30, 2020. The Steering Committee, composed of representatives of the BIE, participating countries and Expo 2020 organisers, reviewed with grave concern the major impact of the spread of Covid-19 on global public, social and economic health, and agreed to explore with the BIE the possibility of a one year delay to the opening of Expo 2020.
A final decision on a change of dates can only be made by a two-thirds majority vote of BIE Member States, as stipulated by Article 28 of the 1928 Paris Convention, following a recommendation of the Executive Committee, BIE said in the statement.