Expo Live to ignite best ideas with Partnership Fund of 100m euros

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, on Wednesday led a delegation that unveiled one of Dubai Expo 2020’s flagship initiatives, Expo Live, in a presentation to the 166 member nations of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) in Paris.

As per Sheikh Mohammed’s direction, and as part of the unveiling, Princess Haya bint Al Hussein, wife of Sheikh Mohammed, highlighted, under the bid’s overarching theme, “Connecting Minds, Creating the Future”, the importance of partnerships and what will be the foundation and the legacy of Dubai Expo 2020.

In attendance were Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum; Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan; UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs; Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai; as well as the Higher Committee for Dubai Expo 2020 led by Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum.

Building on the bid’s theme of partnership, Expo Live will start to deliver on the promise and power of global collaboration as early as 2014. Expo Live will make Dubai Expo 2020 not just a global showcase event, but also a powerful engine of innovation for future progress.

The presentation explained how Expo Live will challenge the world to identify the greatest global issues for the 21st century across the three Dubai Expo 2020 sub-themes of Mobility, Sustainability and Opportunity.

By doing so, Expo Live will bring to life the aspirations of the bid’s overarching theme, ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’, and create a concrete programme for partnership and innovation with the Expo Partnership Fund of 100 million euros. The fund will accelerate entrepreneurial spirit around the world and support projects of varying size, scale and stages of development; all with the same objective of delivering a lasting and positive impact.

Partnerships will be facilitated between people and organisations all around the globe to deliver solutions before, during and after the six-month world expo. The resulting ideas and innovations will be showcased during the Dubai Expo 2020 itself  – demonstrating the message that ‘together we can accomplish more’.

Princess Haya told the delegates at the 153rd BIE General Assembly that the UAE’s dramatic transformation in the past 40 years was led by a vision, by hard work and, most important of all, by partnership – and that it is the promise of partnership with each BIE member nation that Dubai Expo 2020 will deliver.

Drawing on the UAE’s history and heritage, Dubai Expo 2020 will create a living example of what can be achieved when talents, ambitions and passions are pooled together. She added that the spirit of partnership is where world expos draw their greatest strengths – the connections they make, the people they inspire and the future they build.

In turn, Dubai and the UAE will be enriched by the expo values, uniting the region and the world with the first world exposition held in the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia region – and enhanced by the joyful national celebrations of the UAE’s 50th anniversary. 

Dubai Expo 2020 would be the most international world expo in the 169-year history of the event.  Thanks to the UAE’s unmatched infrastructure, strategic geographic positioning and global connectivity, the 2020 World Expo in Dubai will attract an estimated 25 million visitors. 70 per cent of these attendees would come from outside the country – the first time in world expo history that a majority of visitors originate from outside the host nation.

During the General Assembly, bidding cities were informed of the results of the BIE Enquiry Missions conducted earlier this year to assess the feasibility of each candidate city and nation. The BIE General Assembly formally adopted the candidature of the UAE, having met the required criteria. The UAE’s Enquiry Mission took place in February and was commended for the level of national support, as well as for the strength and vision of its bid in line with the traditions and values of World Expo.

In accordance with BIE regulations, every country must submit an aid package as part of their file. The UAE presented a development assistance package of 150 million euros ensuring strong representation for all developing nations.

The final presentation will be held in November 2013 at the next BIE General Assembly and the winner will be announced following a vote by the member nations.

At the outset, Reem Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State and Managing Director of the Higher Committee for Hosting the 2020 World Expo in Dubai, introduced Princess Haya bint Al Hussein, wife of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. 

Following is the full speech of Reem Al Hashimy:

“Mr President, Mr Secretary General, Your Excellencies, Members of the BIE, ladies and gentlemen

''As a testament to the incredible momentum and profound meaning of the World Expo in our country, we are truly honoured to have with us today His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Princess Haya bint Al Hussein, wife of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, as well as the Higher Committee for Dubai Expo 2020, led by Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum.

“In the past year and a half, we have presented our case. We have demonstrated that Dubai Expo 2020 will be a truly global expo attracting the most international audience and one of the most diverse groups of participants in history.

“Just last year, Dubai Airport served 58 million passengers. By 2020, this number is expected to grow to over 100 million passengers a year. Similarly, Emirates Airline with its already expansive network is expected to grow to 70 million passengers across 170 direct destinations by 2020. Last year alone, it opened 15 new routes to cities around the world.

“We have also demonstrated our capacity to deliver on complex and innovative architectural projects and to create world-renowned must-see destinations. Our Expo will provide the same magnetism for visitors, giving unprecedented visibility to each of your countries.

“We have showcased the uniqueness of our economic environment, the transparency of our regulatory framework and the strength of our international friendships.

“The BIE enquiry mission witnessed first-hand the readiness, the robustness and the global reach of our infrastructure, the safety and stability of our nation and the total commitment of our leadership and our people.

“You will NOT find an easier place to build and operate your pavilion, to develop new links for your countries and your institutions, to contribute innovative content and to create a lasting impression on visitors from all walks of life.

“But today we want to move beyond these aspects and focus on a different story.

“One that is essential to create a meaningful legacy.

“It is a story of partnership.

“The partnerships that created our country and our city.

“Those that we continue to establish together across the world.

“And those that we hope to create through our Expo.

“If you take this path with us, these partnerships will be both the foundation and the legacy of Dubai Expo 2020.

“It is now my deep privilege to introduce Princess Haya bint Al Hussein. She is the daughter of the late King Hussein of Jordan, the wife of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and mother of two beautiful children. A former Olympic athlete, Princess Haya is also a United Nations Messenger of Peace, President of the International Equestrian Federation and a member of the International Olympic Committee.

“Princess Haya has always been a tremendous advocate for the creation of opportunity through education, nutrition, healthcare and sport and has been with us from the start of this journey.”

Taking the podium, Princess Haya bint Al Hussein, said in her speech:

“Excellences, Mesdames et Messieurs,

“The World Expo organisation was born from a desire for partnership.

“And it is from this spirit of partnership that Expo draws its greatest strength. The true legacy of any Expo is not in its physical buildings or monuments, but in the connections it makes, the people it inspires and the future it builds.

“World Expos have a remarkable ability to bring people together to discuss, engage and innovate. New models are showcased, new ideas are inspired and new partnerships are created. The theme of Dubai Expo 2020, “Connecting Minds, Creating the Future” is just such a pledge of partnership.

“It draws on the UAE’s past, our heritage and our successes. It highlights the fact that we are all united in destiny and outcome.

“This is the spirit in which the UAE was formed.

“These values laid the foundation for our nation, and continue to drive our vision for the future.

“As a small country in a challenging region, we recognise only too well both the opportunity and the necessity of being innovative. To succeed we must challenge the conventional norm. We must seek new ways of doing things and of doing them in collaboration.

“Ever since the earliest days of the Federation, the UAE has invited the world to help create its future.

“I am proud to say that over the years, we have visited each and every country represented in this hall today.

“We have learnt from you.

“We have shared our story.

“And together we have developed means to strengthen our relationships.

“Together we have delivered some amazing and groundbreaking achievements.

“Achievements that have brought opportunity and benefits for all that have joined us.

“In Dubai, we have built a city that has become an incubator for new models and new ideas.

“There are many examples where partnerships have expanded the realm of all our possibilities.

“The following video showcases the type of collaboration and partnership - whether cultural, legal, or economic - that take place in Dubai every day.

“Today, we live in a world where our fates are interdependent, and so therefore must be our solutions.

“Our starting points may be different, but our aspirations - for my children, for your children - remain the same.

“UN Secretary General Ban-Ki Moon said recently:

‘We need to find linkages not just among policies, but between people

‘We must create new constellations of partnerships and alliances to get things done.

‘That is the most effective way to solve problems in our networked world.’

“Through my own UN fieldwork and educational projects, I know that the focus must be on the ability to create opportunity; on how to feed and to educate families and communities.

“But this is not enough. What creates real progress is the ability to share opportunities through the mobility of people, goods and ideas; and the ability to sustain those opportunities for our children.

“This is the essence of our theme, Connecting Minds, Creating the Future.

“When we connect minds, when we partner, we can have a more lasting impact and stronger solutions.

“This is why we continue to seek new partnerships.

“I am proud to announce that we have joined the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Solutions Network, which brings together public and private entities to deliver solutions to known challenges with new ways to collaborate.
This partnership with Dubai Expo 2020 will further expand opportunities to work with communities across the world.

“Similarly as we have done throughout our history, in July 2012 we took to the sea. ‘True North’, the Dubai Expo 2020 boat, has already sailed over 40,000 km to connect with communities all over the world. It is a journey of learning and discovery about the wealth of human potential that inspires our Expo ambitions and motivates us to be the catalyst for real change. ‘True North’ also exemplifies our ethos of listening and learning – hearing first-hand what communities prioritise and how they believe their dreams can be achieved.

“The following film will demonstrate some of the partnerships that we have embarked upon over the last few years.

“The power of collaboration and its potential to create lasting impact has no limit. Together, over time, we have planted and nurtured the seeds of sustainable communities.

“But now, it is time for us to take the next step, together again.

“Dubai Expo 2020 will gather one of the most diverse groups of partners ever assembled for a World Expo.

“Every nation will have the opportunity to showcase the best they have to offer.

“To this end, we have prepared an assistance package of 150 million euros to ensure that every country has its own unique voice and its own individual pavilion.

“Each country deserves the right and the means to showcase its very best. We are committed to making this happen.

“Still, we want to achieve more:

“To give new meaning to the presence of all participants;

“And to develop a truly exceptional project that combines the global nature of Dubai with the power of Expo.

“We have designed an unprecedented innovation and partnership programme called Expo Live.

“Expo Live has its roots in the Great Exhibitions that brought something new to the world: objects, ideas and knowledge that have forever changed our perspectives.

“They opened the door to the unknown.

“They challenged nations, industries and budding entrepreneurs alike, to design, to create and to explore.

“Expo Live is a call to action to make the World Expo an engine for global innovation.

“In fact, as some of you know, we have already started and our recent workshops will ultimately culminate in the Innovation Labs and Pavilions of Dubai 2020.''

 Mohammed meets France's Prime Minister in Paris

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, today met the French Prime, Jean-Marc Ayrault, at the headquarters of the French Cabinet.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, attended the meeting.

Sheikh Mohammed's discussions with the French Prime Minister focussed on ways of developing the strategic partnership between the UAE and France, particularly in the areas of trade exchange, economy, culture and academic matters.

They also discussed the role of the French community - about 18,000 strong -in the UAE, the French companies operating in the country and their role in the economic development in the UAE.

Sheikh Mohammed praised French culture and history, saying that he had been pleased to visit the Louvre Museum, where he was briefed on the deep-rooted French heritage, civilisation and culture.

Among those who attended the meeting were Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashemi, Minister of State, the Dubai Ruler's Court Director-General, Mohammed Ibrahim Al Shaibani, the Director of the Dubai Ruler's Office, Lt. General Musabbah Rashid Al Fattan, the Dubai Director of Protocol and Hospitality, Khalifa Saeed Suleiman, and the UAE Ambassador to France, Mohammad Meer Abdullah Al Raessi.

Mohammed meets Emirati students in France

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid met UAE national students in the French Universities at the UAE Embassy in France.

Present at the meeting was Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and students.

Sheikh Mohammed expressed his happiness on meeting them to assess their educational and living conditions in France, stressing that the leadership cares for them.

"Acquire learning and come back to contribute with your brothers at the federal and local governments to building the modern state that aspires to be on the top," Sheikh Mohammed told the students.

He added, "You are our ambassadors abroad and so you should shoulder your responsibilities, bear difficulties and challenges so as to achieve your goals and gain knowledge to benefit your country through what you have studied."

Sheikh Mohammed added that the UAE was determined to be number one in the areas of management, services, economy, education and in all other components of the sustainable development.

The students posed for photos with Sheikh Mohammed and Sheikh Hamdan, expressing their pleasure to meet the Vice-President and listen to his advice.

Others in attendance in the meeting were, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman of Emirates Group, Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister for Cabinet Affairs, Dr Anwar bin Mohammed Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashemi, Minister of State, Mohammed Ibrahim Al Shaibani, Dubai Ruler's Court Director-General, Lt. General Musabeh Rashid Al Fattan, Director of the office of the UAE Vice-President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, Khalifa Saeed Suleiman, Dubai Director of Protocol and Hospitality, and UAE Ambassador to France Mohammad Meer Abdullah Al Raessi.

Mohammed bin Rashid visits Louvre

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, visited the Louvre Museum in Paris. His Highness toured the various galleries and halls of the world's most famous, and most visited museum.

His Highness viewed many of the museum's acquisitions including a number of oil paintings, statues, and sculptures from ancient Greek, Roman, Egyptian and Mesopotamian civilisations. The tour also included the Islamic Art Department of the museum that includes various Islamic artifacts such as paintings, sculptures, ornaments, and calligraphy of Quranic verses, many of which were imported from Egypt following Napoleon's campaign in 1798.

His Highness highlighted the importance of national museums as preservers and guardians of history, art and heritage of any country, making them a source of information for the next generations, as it is their right to learn about their nation's civilization, history and culture. His Highness also praised the French people's prestigious past and present, noting that it is a civilisation worthy of appreciation and exploration, containing a history full of national and human achievements for the French people.

Mohammed attends reception hosted by UAE Embassy in Paris

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Foreign Minister of the UAE, have attended a reception hosted by the UAE Embassy in Paris on the occasion of the visit of Sheikh Mohammed to the French capital.

Sheikh Mohammed welcomed senior French officials, businessmen and heads of diplomatic missions as well as Arab and Islamic foreign diplomats accredited to France.

Sheikh Mohammed and Mohammed Mir Abdullah Al Raeesi, UAE Ambassador to France, greeted guests at the ceremony who in turn welcomed Sheikh Mohammed to the city.

Attending the reception were Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman of Emirates Group, Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister for Cabinet Affairs, Dr. Anwar Mohammed Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashemi, Minister of State, Sheikh Saeed bin Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum, Mohammed Ibrahim Al Shaibani, Director-General of Dubai Ruler's Court, Khalifa Saeed Suleiman, Director-General of the Department of Protocols and Hospitality in Dubai, Mona Ghanem Al Marri, Director-General of the Government of Dubai Media Office, members of the Higher National Committee for Dubai Expo 2020, and a number of seniors officials.


 

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