Reem Ibrahim Al Hashemi, Minister of State and Managing Director of the Higher Committee for Hosting the World Expo 2020 in Dubai, said that UAE has made tremendous achievements in all fields under the wise leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. This came during her meeting here at Grand Millennium Al Wahda Hotel with 65 Arab and foreign journalists hailing from 26 countries, invited by the National Media Council, NMC on the occasion of UAE’s 41st National Day. She said, during this significant progress, much focused was given on building human resources and infrastructure making the UAE one of the most developed and civilized countries in the region. For all these reasons and potentials, she added, the UAE has decided to host Expo 2020 in Dubai, expressing the optimism to win the international support for hosting this economic, tourist and cultural gathering which is expected to see about 160 countries and will last for six months. Reem Al Hashimi, underlined the keenness of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of teh UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to rally regional, Arab and international efforts for hosting Expo 2020, based on the potentials and capabilities that UAE enjoys to compete on hosting the event in Dubai. She referred that Expo 2020 coincides with the golden jubilee of the country’s celebration of its 50th anniversary in 2020, indicating that UAE has strong and strategic relations with the countries of the region and the continent of Africa, garnering support to vote Dubai for the country’s bid. The minister unveiled a plan to help the developed and poor countries in their participation in Dubai Expo, supporting indirectly and finding solution of their poverty through supporting their projects. She informed the reporters about the masterplan for Dubai Trade Centre-Jebel Ali, the proposed site to host the six-month World Expo 2020, adding that the site was selected due to its strategic location, equidistant between Dubai and Abu Dhabi and adjacent to the Dubai World Central airport and Jebel Ali Port, providing ease of access for the millions of international and local visitors expected. The total cost of establishing Dubai Expo headquarters will be between 2 to 4 billion US dollars. The site masterplan, is inspired by traditional Arab souqs, and integrates the UAE’s unique architectural heritage and environment of vibrancy and trade with the requirements of the Expo to foster the fundamental principles of innovation, partnership and collaboration between participants and visitors. UAE Minister of State, said that the theme of the expo “‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future” reflects on Dubai’s cultural diversity and its ability to bring different creative minds together on a single platform. The 438-hectare site will be one of the largest ever used for a World Expo and will ensure an unforgettable experience for the event’s 25 million visitors. The host of the expo will be decided through a popular vote. Around 160 member nations will cast their votes to choose between Dubai (UAE), Sao Paulo (Brazil), Yekaterinburg (Russia), Ayutthaya (Thailand) and Izmir (Turkey). She confirmed that Dubai is the strongest among five candidate cities due to the UAE’s status on the political, economic, humanitarian and international map as well as its prestigious reputation in the regional and international circles and its strong relations with all countries of the world. She also noted that UAE is considered one of the world’s most secure and stable nations and is one of the top 10 countries of the world having low rates of crimes according to the international statistics. In response to a question about the UAE’s bid to host the event compared to “Astana”, the capital of Kazakhstan victory to host the Expo 2017, she said that “Expo 2017” provides an exceptional opportunity for that city and the world to come together and exchange dialogue on the subject of energy. “The UAE aspires to build on and continue the considerable progress made in energy and sustainability in its bid to host the World Expo in Dubai in 2020,” she added. Commenting on the tourist and economic benefits of the expo, she said that it will enable establishing more small and medium size companies to serve the event as well as extending more metro lines, ports, infrastructure services and tourist facilities to welcome guests of the UAE. Reem Al Hashmi said that the World Expo 2020’s theme ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’ is our instill belief, that the way to reach the bright future depends on our abilities to interact positively and have constructive partnership. “UAE tops the Arab world in growth and human development indices and it has built its success on the firm designed to provide model building, secure and sustainable development in the Middle East and outside.” Answering a query about international promotional tour for the Expo 2020, she said that UAE enjoys strong credibility internationally as well as high and rich experience in hosting economic and sports events worldwide as Dubai has hosted the meetings of International Monetary Fund and World Bank, Dubai World Cup and Dubai International Airshow. She added that Abu Dhabi hosts annual Formula one with overwhelming success, as well as International Renewable Energy Agency (Irena), Energy Summit, World Economic Forum, IDEX and other global events.