The Bureau International des Expositions has unanimously agreed to propose the posponement of Expo 2020 Dubai.
The final announcement of whether the show will be postponed until October 2021 now relies on a final vote to be made over the next five weeks.
The new proposed dates for Expo 2020 Dubai has been unanimously approved by the Bureau International des Expositions, with the final decision going to a vote between Friday April 24 and Friday May 29.
The Executive Committee of the BIE has examined the request from @MoFAICUAE and proposes the postponement of @Expo2020Dubai. The General Assembly of the BIE will be called upon to vote on the proposal before 29 May https://t.co/p6vjdCeMjd
— BIE (@bieparis) April 21, 2020
It means that the show, which has been in development since Dubai won the rights to host back in 2013, will be moved to run from Friday October 1, 2021 through until March 31, 2022, if the member states of the BIE approve the postponement.
Delegates of the 12 member states that comprise the BIE’s committee voted unanimously to uphold the proposed dates suggested for the World’s Greatest Show, after a request to push it back because of the extenuating global scenario that’s playing out due to the COVID-19 coronavirus.
Significantly, the committee recommended approving the UAE’s request to maintain the name Expo 2020 Dubai.
At the end of May, the motion will be passed if a two-thirds majority of eligible voting member states vote in favour of the postponement.
We look forward to welcoming a world that is more resilient and unified in purpose, having overcome these very challenging times for us all. #Expo2020 pic.twitter.com/bLUT5uhxd1
— Expo 2020 Dubai (@expo2020dubai) April 21, 2020
Dimitri S. Kerkentzes, the secretary general of the BIE said: “World Expos are collective endeavours that express the shared international goal of progress for all humankind. I am confident that when the time is right, Expo 2020 Dubai will constitute the best platform to build, with renewed optimism and hope, a better and brighter future for all.”
Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation and Director-General of Expo 2020 Dubai, said: “We welcome today’s recommendation of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) Executive Committee to support a request by the UAE Government and Expo 2020’s Steering Committee to postpone Expo 2020 for a year.
“Now the official process for agreeing a delay begins, and we look forward to working constructively with BIE Member States, our friends, and partners to confirm the new date of 1 October 2021 when the Expo will open its doors, and the UAE will welcome the world.”
For everything you need to know about Expo 2020 Dubai, click here
