The UAE has officially proposed new dates for Expo 2020 Dubai, postponing the event until October 1, 2021, in light of the ongoing COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak.
The news came from The Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), the intergovernmental organisation in charge of World Expos today (Saturday April 4).
The new dates proposed are October 1, 2021 until March 31, 2022. A final decision on a change of dates can only be made by a two-thirds majority vote of BIE Member States.
“In solidarity with participating countries, following discussions with the BIE and the Expo 2020 Steering Committee, the Government of the UAE has notified the BIE of its request to change the dates of Expo 2020 Dubai to 1 October 2021 – 31 March 2022,” reads a BIE statement.
In solidarity with participating countries, following discussions with the BIE and the Expo 2020 Steering Committee, the Government of the UAE has notified the BIE of its request to change the dates of Expo 2020 Dubai to 1 October 2021 – 31 March 2022 https://t.co/iUSGWc66QB pic.twitter.com/in2siiF9ZQ
— BIE (@bieparis) April 4, 2020
The UAE has also proposed keeping the name Expo 2020 Dubai.
Further to this week’s agreement by the Steering Committee to explore options for a postponement, the Bureau of International Expositions has confirmed that a decision will be made by the Executive Committee meeting on 21 April and by two-thirds majority vote of BIE Member States pic.twitter.com/x274xUrJv3
— Expo 2020 Dubai (@expo2020dubai) April 4, 2020
According to Expo 2020 a decision will be made on April 21.
“Further to this week’s agreement by the Steering Committee to explore options for a postponement, the Bureau of International Expositions has confirmed that a decision will be made by the Executive Committee meeting on 21 April and by two-thirds majority vote of BIE Member States,” reads a Tweet posted today (April 4).
Further to this week’s agreement by the Steering Committee to explore options for a postponement, the Bureau of International Expositions has confirmed that a decision will be made by the Executive Committee meeting on 21 April and by two-thirds majority vote of BIE Member States pic.twitter.com/x274xUrJv3
— Expo 2020 Dubai (@expo2020dubai) April 4, 2020
The Government of the UAE formally requested the postponement in a letter addressed to Dimitri S. Kerkentzes, Secretary General of the BIE.
A statement on the BIE website reads: “In the letter, His Highness Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation of the UAE, seeks the postponement of the World Expo following in-depth discussions by the Expo 2020 Dubai Steering Committee with the Organiser and the BIE on the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and in solidarity with participating countries.
“Following consultations with the BIE, participating countries and key stakeholders, the UAE has proposed 1 October 2021 – 31 March 2022 as the new opening dates of Expo 2020 Dubai. The letter also specifies that should the Member States approve the change of dates for Expo 2020 Dubai, the UAE Government requests approval to continue using “Expo 2020 Dubai” as the official name of the event.”
The news comes following a steering committee meeting on March 30, where it was announced that Expo 2020 Dubai was “exploring” the possibility of a date change.
“While everyone involved in Expo 2020 Dubai remains firmly committed, many countries have been significantly impacted by COVID-19 and they have expressed a need to postpone Expo’s opening by one year, to enable them to overcome this challenge,” the statement at the time read.
“The BIE will now work with its Member States and Expo 2020 Dubai to establish a change in dates. A final decision on postponement can only be made by the BIE’s (Bureau International des Expositions) General Assembly. We believe that now, more than ever, humanity needs to come together to remember what unites us.”
For everything you need to know for Expo 2020 Dubai, click here.
