DUBAI — Expo 2020 Dubai and its 190-plus participating countries are committed to working together to achieve shared goals and are making strong progress with preparations for the global event, which will begin on Oct. 1, 2021. Organizers, members of the Expo 2020 Dubai Higher Committee and BIE representatives, plus participants, commercial partners and government officials from around the world, have convened virtually from Aug. 24-27 for the fifth Expo 2020 International Participants Meeting (IPM), where they will discuss updates on site operations, facilities management, Expo 2020’s events and programming calendar, and content related to marketing, communications and media services. Dr. Fahad Bin Abdullah Bin Mohammed Al-Yabis, commissioner general and project director of Saudi Arabia at Expo 2020 Dubai lauded the expo as a platform for the Saudia to relay the Kingdom’s dreams to the world. He said, “Expo 2020 Dubai offers an exceptional opportunity to tell the world about our hopes, dreams and aspirations. The architectural design of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia"s pavilion symbolizes our vision for the future, as well as the positive spirit of the Saudi people. “This remarkable project is managed by a team of dynamic male and female Saudis from diverse disciplines. We are immensely thankful to the leadership of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for their visionary direction and to our team for their ownership, tremendous efforts and determination to make this initiative truly special. From day one, and despite all the odds posed by COVID-19, we have been, and continue to stay ahead of schedule in delivering this project.” Expo 2020’s resilient response to the current global health crisis has enabled progress towards the next World Expo to continue unabated. Following the completion of Expo-led construction at the end of 2019, work this year has focused on landscaping the site and fitting out the Expo-owned buildings. Preparations for the Country Pavilions also continue at pace, underscoring the strong commitment that participants continue to show for the event. Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoumpresident, Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and chairman of the Expo 2020 Dubai Higher Committee, said: “The agility and responsiveness of Dubai and the UAE has been instrumental in the swift re-opening of the country’s tourism sector. Coupled with its infrastructure and facilities, including airlines and hotels, Dubai has emerged quickly from what has been a challenging period for the whole world. “Dubai has a deep-rooted history of bringing people together to encourage positive change. The Expo 2020 theme ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’ that has guided our preparations reflects this and is now more relevant than ever. Expo 2020 and its hundreds of participants will highlight the importance of international collaboration and cooperation to help contribute to global progress. “Expo 2020 is aligned with Dubai and the UAE’s commitment to building a brighter future and acting in solidarity with countries and communities around the world. We are delighted to join with our participants at the IPM to share updates, experiences and ideas as we continue to move forward together on our journey to Expo 2020.” Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Cabinet member and UAE minister of tolerance and coexistence and commissioner general of Expo 2020 Dubai, said: “I am delighted and inspired by the resolve of the Expo community to push forward in the delivery of this important event. I am proud of the passion and diligence of my fellow Commissioners General, and I am excited by the potential of our collective efforts to learn, to grow, and to fulfill the mandate of our nations, and of the World Expo itself. “While much has changed in the recent months, we are united in our ambitions, and empowered by the breadth and depth of our responsibilities. We will welcome the world, we will tell our stories to the world and together we will help build a better world. Dimitri Kerkentzes, secretary general of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), the governing body of World Expos, said: “Dubai and the UAE along with all participating countries have continued to make remarkable progress towards delivering the next World Expo despite the impact and challenges of a global pandemic. Over the coming days, organisers and participants will exchange closely to ensure that Expo 2020 is an exceptional event, reminding us of the unlimited opportunities that are made possible when we come together as one.” Every country will contribute to Expo 2020’s dynamic, diverse and ever-changing events program, while Expo 2020 has continued to develop its specialist programming, which will highlight some of the world’s most pressing challenges, including climate change, health and wellness, inequality and environmental degradation. Themed weeks and international day events will encourage partners, participants and visitors to explore global issues and commit to collective action against them. This will build on Expo’s existing efforts in bringing the world together to facilitate progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. — SG