DUBAI, UAE, 23 June 2021: His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, announced the countdown for Expo 2020 Dubai, the world’s largest cultural event to convene the global community towards creating solutions for a better future.

In 100 days, the UAE will be the first country in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region to host a World Expo in the largest global gathering since the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Expo 2020 Dubai, set to begin on October 1, is expected to attract more than 25 million visitors from all over the world to discover life-changing innovations. The mega event aims to drive collaboration and innovation to develop real-life solutions, as the world heads into a post-pandemic economic recovery.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum tweeted: “100 days to go for Expo 2020 Dubai, the world’s largest cultural event. 100 days to go for the gathering of 192 nations in Dubai in the biggest global event since the outset of the pandemic to usher in a new phase of recovery. “50,000 employees have set up 192 pavilions, and 30,000 volunteers are ready to welcome the world at Expo 2020 Dubai.

“Expo 2020 Dubai will provide the space for the largest and most inclusive cultural and knowledge exchange in the world. Expo 2020 Dubai will pave the roadmap for key economic, development and cultural trends of the post-COVID-19 era. “Our success in hosting the world’s largest cultural event reflects the power of human solidarity in overcoming the pandemic.

“The global community is preparing for a new stage of collaboration by harnessing science and technology to combat the pandemic. Expo 2020 Dubai provides the platform for sharing knowledge and innovations.

Through Expo 2020 Dubai, the UAE is bridging cultures and galvanizing efforts and aspirations towards creating a better future for everyone. People from every corner of the globe are welcome to join the once-in-a-lifetime inspiring and enlightening experience that pays testament to human creativity. We will meet at Expo 2020 Dubai.”

Expo 2020 Dubai is on target to set multiple milestones as the first World Expo to be held in the MEASA region in the 170-year history of the mega event. It will also be the first global event since the advent of the coronavirus outbreak.

In another first, every participating nation will have its own pavilion. Countries will be clustered not by their geography but under Expo 2020’s three sub-themes of Opportunity, Mobility and Sustainability – areas seen as essential to building a better future for humanity. More than 200 nations, multilateral organizations, businesses and educational establishments will come together to develop innovative solutions to pressing challenges facing the world. The diversity of participating nations and organizations makes Expo 2020 Dubai the most inclusive and international World Expo ever to be organized.

The UAE will host the mega event with tight COVID-19 precautionary measures and a safe environment, where about 90% of the population have been vaccinated against COVID-19, positioning the country among the top five nations in the vaccine distribution rate.

Expo 2020 Dubai will run from October 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022 under the slogan, “Connecting Minds, Creating the Future”. The mega event gains exceptional significance amid the COVID-19 outbreak as the call for collaboration and knowledge exchange has never been more urgent to drive action and develop practical solutions to pressing challenges. It will galvanize the global community under the vision that true prosperity for people stem from collaboration.

Expo 2020 Dubai coincides with the UAE’s Golden Jubilee, presenting an excellent opportunity to share the UAE’s successful experience and inspiring story with the world. Through the event, the UAE will forge new partnerships with multinational and international corporations to drive its development journey of the next 50 years.

Over its six-month duration, Expo 2020 Dubai is expected to showcase the latest innovations in a variety of fields that will have a meaningful and positive impact on people’s lives.