Faced with the ongoing impact of Covid-19, and concerns over travel and safety of its participants and visitors, Expo 2020’s Member States voted in favour of postponing this year’s Expo by one year.
As of May 4, the resolution in favour of the postponement of Expo 2020 Dubai surpassed the required two-thirds vote threshold necessary for its proposal, meaning a change of dates to 2021 will be formalized once official voting ends on May 29.
In a statement issued by HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Expo 2020 Dubai Higher Committed, he said: “We welcome the decision of BIE Member States to support the delay of Expo 2020 Dubai by one year. We are thankful to BIE Paris 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 we be most needed.”
Dimitri S. Kerkentzes, Secretary General of the BIE, also said: “I applaud the swift response by BIE Member States. Their support for the postponement of Expo 2020 Dubai – which will be formally approved on 29 May – is a renewed sign of solidarity and demonstrates the shared will to work together in ‘creating the future’.”
Expo 2020 will retain its name, and the six-month fair is set to feature pavilions from 192 countries, plus businesses, multilateral organizations and educational establishments with the event expected to see over 11 million visitors during its run.
