Dubai Olympics and World Expo 2020?

If successful, it would be the first time both events were staged in the Middle East, and in the one country.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, on Sunday issued a decree setting up a committee to “explore the potential of Dubai hosting the World Expo and the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2020.”

A feasibility study will be undertaken before further decisions are taken regarding making any formal bids to the International Olympic Committee and the Bureau of International Expositions, according to a statement issued by Sheikh Mohammed's media office. 

Sheikh Mohammed has also mandated Falcon and Associates to lead a working group, comprised of public and private sector representatives, for the Dubai 2020 project.

The working group will be chaired by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai while His Highness Sheikh Ahmad bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum will be the Vice Chairman. The members of the Working Group are His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Mohammed Ibrahim Al Shaibani, His Excellency Abdulrahman Mohammed Al Owais, Lt. General Dhahi Khalfan Tamim, Hussain Nasser Lootah, Matar Mohammed Al Tayer, Qadhi Saeed Al Murooshid, Ahmad Abdullah Al Shaikh, Yousuf Yacob Al Serkal, John Ferguson and Giselle Davies.

The Games of the Olympiad take place every four years. The World Expo takes place every five years, with the two events coinciding in the same year only every 20 years. Bringing them together would unite business, science and technology with sport, education and culture.

Speaking about the Dubai proposal, Sheikh Mohammed said: "We need to engage our community here in Dubai and the UAE in a discussion about our vision and everyone's role in our future. For this we need a clear, common goal that highlights shared universal human values.

"The Dubai 2020 initiative will look at how we can shape our environment and society for future generations. It will address, in an integrated way, the building blocks that underpin social and economic progress - sport, education, culture, business, science, technology, health and the environment," he said.

“These two global events - the Olympic Games and World Expo - give us a sense of common purpose and play to our strengths. Dubai is already home to people from different nationalities and cultures who live in friendship and peace. And I believe we can deepen this respect and mutual understanding if we work together to achieve something spectacular and meaningful."

Members of the public will be invited to participate in the initiative. Further details will be announced in due course.

Falcon and Associates is a vehicle registered under Falcon Holding, established in conjunction with the Dubai Media Office, to bring knowledge, support and strategic thinking to Dubai, to enable it to build on its success and fulfil its long term potential.

Falcon was set up to initiate and review a range of strategies to secure Dubai's position as an attractive location for inward investment, business and leisure, and will work with all sectors in Dubai and internationally.