The new dates for the Expo 2020 Dubai have officially been confirmed.
The highly anticipated event was set to take place from October 20, 2020 to April 10, 2021, but will now take place from October 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022.
It was announced at the beginning of last month that Expo 2020 would be postponed due to the global coronavirus pandemic, but the new dates were yet to be confirmed.
Now after a meeting of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), member states voted in favour of Expo 2020 Dubai being delayed.
.@Expo2020Dubai is gearing up to help shape a post-pandemic world. Two-third majority of Bureau International des Expositions (@bieparis) Member States vote in favour of postponing next World Expo by 1 year. It will run from 1 October 2021 to 31 March 2022https://t.co/UC9ZR6A3UN pic.twitter.com/5fOtbpf3Ux
— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) May 4, 2020
In response to the decision, HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, who is the Chairman of the Expo 2020 Dubai Higher Committee thanked the BIE.
“We are thankful to the BIE Member States for their continued commitment to contributing to a World Expo in Dubai that will play a pivotal role in shaping our post-pandemic world at a time it will be most needed,” His Highness said.
Last month the decision to postpone the highly anticipated global event was confirmed in a heartfelt video posted to the official Expo 2020 Instagram page.
Reflecting upon winning the bid for Expo 2020 seven years ago, Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation and Director General, Expo 2020 Dubai thanked those who came forward to help organise and partake in the event.
However, she noted the difficult turn of events that have taken place as of late.
“As we worked towards October 2020, however something terrible happened to our world,” she said. “And so our journey must take a different turn.
“We must adjust our opening dates for Expo 2020 Dubai, and spend our time now with our friends across the globe, banding together, working together to emerge stronger than ever before.”
Ending her emotional statement, Her Excellency added, “When we come together as one, humanity knows no limits. Our promise still stands – connecting minds, creating the future.”
