The announcement was made during a press meeting held via Zoom, attended by the Minister of Tourism Dr Abdulla Mausoom and the Minister of Economic Development Fayyaz Ismail.
They confirmed that Maldives has accepted the invitation to partake in the event extended by the United Arab Emirates, and signed a participatory contract to the effect.
This will mark Maldives 4th time participating in the one-every-five-years global mega-event, now scheduled to run over a period of six months, spanning from 1 October 2021 till 31 March 2022.
Expo 2020 Dubai plans to welcome representatives from 192 countries, as well as businesses, multilateral organisations and educational establishments, to connect and collaborate under its platform.
With regards to the event, Maldives’ Economic Minister Fayyaz Ismail describe the event, which is expected to be attended by over 25 million people, as a ripe occasion for Maldivians to expand the country’s appeal as a destination, showcase cultural offerings and Maldivian artistry.
The minister also said that special opportunities would be provided to school and university students, as well as local artists, to display their talents.
The theme selected by the UAE for Expo 2020 is ‘Connecting Minds, Creating The Future’, with sub-themes being ‘opportunity’, ‘mobility’ and ‘sustainability’.
“In today’s highly interconnected world, a renewed vision of progress and development based on shared purpose and commitment is key. While a married human mind, an individual country, or a specific community is both unique and remarkable, it is by working collaboratively that we truly advance”, said Dubai Ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, in support of the country’s bid to host the event.
On November 2013 in Paris, the organizing ‘Bureau International des Expositions’ (BIE) general assembly named Dubai as the next host for World Expo.
The first World Expo to be held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region, Expo 2020 Dubai will be the largest event to take place in the Arab world.
Originally scheduled to be held this year, due to the ongoing global COVID19 pandemic, a two-thirds majority of BIE Member States voted in favour of postponing the event.
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