Success of UAE to host Expo 2020 represents success for all Arabs

UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Monday met at Palais Brongniart in the French capital Paris with ambassadors of sisterly Arab countries accredited to France in the presence of Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Higher Committee on Hosting the World Expo 2020 in Dubai.

Sheikh Abdullah expressed gratitude of the leadership, government and people of the UAE to the Arab ambassadors for their supportive stances to the UAE's bid to host the World Expo 2020 in Dubai under the theme ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’.

Sheikh Abdullah said Arab's support for the UAE's bid to host this important international gathering stems out of sincere loyalty.

He asserted that success of the UAE to host the  international exhibition represents a success for all Arabs.

He also praised efforts being made by Arab ambassadors for lobbying and encouraging  representatives of friendly countries in Paris to ''back our State for hosting the historic event”.

Speaking on behalf of Arab ambassadors, Yemeni ambassador to Paris affirmed that success of the UAE to host the international historic gathering would be a source of proud for both Arab and Islamic Worlds.

He noted that the tremendous challenge the UAE and Arab countries are facing is not simple, rather it is a challenge amount to the profile of the event.

He affirmed that the Arab countries are vehemently standing with the UAE, offering support of all available potentials, wishing the UAE success in order to realise its goals and those of the Arab Nation.

Sheikh Abdullah also attended a reception and dinner hosted by the Higher Committee on Hosting the World Expo 2020 in Dubai at Palais Brongniart.

Present were Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri, Minister of Economy, Abdul Rahman bin Mohammed Al Owais, Minister of Health, Saqr bin Ghobash Saeed Ghobash, Minister of Labour, Suhail bin Mohammed Faraj Faris Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy, Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashemi, Minister of State and Managing Director of the Higher Committee on Hosting the World Expo 2020, Abdullah bin Mohammed Saeed Ghobash, Minister of State, members of the committee, UAE ambassadors to Paris, Brussels, Islamabad, and London, heads of diplomatic corps and ambassadors accredited to Paris as well as representatives of member states of the Paris-based Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) and a crowd of business.

Later, Sheikh Abdullah spoke to UAE and international media representatives about the UAE's confidence in the dossier Dubai has presented to host Expo 2020, asserting that trust, strength of the dossier along with popular support, not only from the UAE people but also from all expatriate resident in the UAE, provide credible factors for supporting the bid.

He said the UAE Expo work team has discharged their duties properly through their extensive communications and meetings with officials in majority of BIE member states during which the team has presented convincing realistic and practical evidence, confirming ability of the UAE in general and Dubai in particular to host the prestigious event.

He added that security and stability also play positive role in the dossier.

Sheikh Abdullah noted that none of the biding countries to host the World Expo 2020 has a body similar to the Expo popular committee in the UAE, pointing out that geography, economy and personal relations play a key role to win votes of countries which will cast their votes on the final selection of the host of Expo 2020 on Wednesday.

The UAE foreign minister affirmed: ' Our State enjoys respects of the world and this is a cause for optimism and success in the test which it will face in the voting process  by the BIE member states in Paris.''

This, he added, is a test for the mettle of the UAE youth and their success in achieving goals of their State in the present and future.

Sheikh Abdullah expressed his pride at the  model of national cohesion in the UAE community.

''What is important is what is going to happen after the event, if we, God willing, win the bid.

What we will do, think and what is the next step? Sheikh Abdullah asked.

He concluded his statement to the media by wishing success and progress for the UAE in all events and occasions under the wise leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
 

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