Voting is still under way by member states of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) to approve the revised dates for Expo 2020 Dubai, and though voting does not close till later this month, the required two-thirds majority of BIE members have voted in favour of the new dates.
The member states have approved that Expo 2020 Dubai will run from 1 October 2021 until 31 March 2022.
The UAE requested a postponement of Expo 2020 Dubai in light of the global coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic last month and proposed the alternative dates which were also recommended by the BIE Executive Committee on 21 April.
As it was not possible for member states to gather for a BIE General Assembly, remote voting began on 24 April and member states had until 29 May to make their choice, however the required two-thirds majority was achieved in just a week of voting.
His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Airports, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman and CEO of Emirates Group, and Chairman of the Expo 2020 Dubai Higher Committee, said: “We welcome the decision of BIE Member States to support the delay of Expo 2020 Dubai by one year. We are thankful to 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 when it will be most needed.
“We have sought to build over the last 50 years bridges, connections, and partnerships around the world because we believe in genuine collaboration to safeguard the future of all. This swift and overwhelming vote reflects the strength of our international partnerships and truly reflects the positive role the UAE and Dubai play with all countries around the world.
“This affirmation by the international community of Dubai’s offering and its ability to deliver, further strengthens our commitment to matching ambition with achievement to hosting an event that will capture the world’s imagination, when the time is right.”