The Bureau International des
Expositions (BIE) has been asked to explore the idea of
postponing the opening of the Universal Exhibition by 12 months,
according to a statement.
This decision was taken Monday during a teleconference
between the 32 members of the Expo 2020 Steering Committee -
including the Commissioner for Italy's participation, Paolo
Glisenti - the Secretary-General of the BIE and the Expo 2020
organisers.
The meeting was attended by Reem Al-Hashimy, the Minister of
State for International Cooperation of the United Arab Emirates
and Director General of Expo Dubai 2020.
"Many countries have been hit considerably by COVID-19 and
have therefore expressed the need to postpone by one year the
opening of Expo 2020 Dubai to enable them to overcome the
current situation," said Reem Al-Hashimy.
"The UAE and Expo 2020 Dubai heard their requests and, during
the meeting of the Steering Committee, welcomed with a spirit of
solidarity the proposal to explore the one-year postponement.
"We look forward to welcoming the entire world, which we are
certain will emerge from this emergency stronger than ever".
"We are at the centre of a global crisis and, in this phase,
the possibility of the Expo is an opportunity for strengthening
relations and international cooperation more than ever," said
Glisenti.
"Italy will continue to prepare its participation in the
Universal Exhibition together with all the institutions,
partners and sponsors, to turn this event into an important
opportunity for relaunching Italy's productive system and to
attract investments and tourism flows to the country. From this
perspective, the Expo will play a decisive role in the effort to
support businesses during the recovery of the economic and
productive activities in the wake of the health emergency".
The procedure now entails that the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs of the United Arab Emirates submits to the BIE a formal
proposal with the new dates of the Exhibition and that
two-thirds of the 160 member states of the BIE vote in favour of
the postponement.
During Monday's meeting it was also decided to recommend all
participating countries to complete the works for the
construction of their pavilions and put these in safe
conditions, where possible within the relevant deadlines.
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