Expo Dubai 2020 Postponed to 2021 Due to COVID-19
Expo Dubai 2020, which was initially scheduled to take place from October 20, 2020, to April 10, 2021, has been rescheduled for October 1, 2021, to March 31, 2022, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This change was proposed during a teleconference involving the Expo 2020 Steering Committee, which included Paolo Glisenti, the Italian Commissioner, and the Secretary General of the BIE. The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs put forth the request to the BIE, necessitating a two-thirds majority from 160 member nations. On May 4, 2020, the BIE announced that the required majority had been achieved, with voting continuing until May 29. The expo, under the theme 'Connecting Minds, Creating the Future,' will showcase 192 countries, featuring Italy's pavilion named 'Beauty Connects People.'
Key facts
- Expo Dubai 2020 postponed to October 1, 2021 – March 31, 2022.
- Originally scheduled from October 20, 2020 to April 10, 2021.
- Proposal made by Expo 2020 Steering Committee during a teleconference.
- Steering Committee includes 32 members, including Italian Commissioner Paolo Glisenti.
- Formal request submitted by UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs to BIE.
- Two-thirds majority of BIE's 160 member states required for approval.
- BIE announced on May 4, 2020 that qualified majority was reached.
- Reem Al-Hashimy, UAE Minister of State and Director General of Expo 2020 Dubai, cited COVID-19 impact.
- Expo theme: 'Connecting Minds, Creating the Future'.
- First Universal Exposition in ME.NA.SA region (Middle East, North Africa, South Asia).
- 192 countries participating; Italy's pavilion: 'Beauty Connects People'.
- Commissioner Glisenti highlighted opportunity for Italy's economic recovery.
- Voting continues until May 29, 2020.
Entities
Institutions
- Expo 2020 Dubai
- Bureau International des Expositions (BIE)
- Steering Committee of Expo 2020
- Italian Commissioner for Expo 2020
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates
- Artribune
Locations
- Dubai
- United Arab Emirates
- Italy
- Middle East
- North Africa
- South Asia