His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, today joined senior dignitaries of nations from around the world at the second International Participants Meeting (IPM) of Expo 2020 Dubai.

More than 150 countries have now confirmed, either publicly or privately, that they will take part in the next World Expo and Their Highnesses Sheikh Abdullah and Sheikh Hamdan heard that organisers are well on track to meet the target of at least 180 national participants.

Fifteen countries, including Austria, the United States, Malaysia and Mexico, publicly announced their participation at the meeting.

The IPM is organised with the help of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), the governing body for World Expos. It is held at regular intervals to update BIE member nations and other countries on progress and plans for Expo 2020 Dubai, as well as the benefits of participating. The inaugural meeting was held in 2016.

Those attending include ambassadors, representatives of Expo 2020 Dubai partners, country delegates, government officials, Expo 2020 Dubai Higher Committee members, officials from the BIE and business leaders.


His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Expo 2020 Dubai Higher Committee; President, Dubai Civil Aviation Authority; Chairman, Dubai Airports; Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, said: “We are honoured by the presence of Their Highnesses today. I would like to thank them for their attendance at the IPM and continuous support.

“Expo 2020 Dubai is an important step in the development process of the UAE. It is the embodiment of the cultural, social and urban progress that has been achieved under the leadership of the Rulers of the UAE since the establishment of the Union.

“Our aim is to work with all countries, institutions and companies to serve the citizens, residents and visitors of our nation, which is proud of being tolerant and open to all cultures.”

Dimitri Kerkentzes, Deputy Secretary General at the Bureau International des Expositions, said: “The IPM has brought the world fully up to speed on the progress and plans for Expo 2020 and we are delighted to see that Dubai is on track to host an incredible experience for millions of people from around the world.

“Every World Expo is unique and, from what we have seen today, Expo 2020 Dubai will be no exception. From the remarkable infrastructure to the number of participants already signed up and the work being done on initiatives such as Expo Live, Expo 2020 Dubai is already having a positive impact on the world – and there are still three years to go until the gates open.”

The 15 nations to publicly announce participation were: Austria, Bangladesh, Belarus, Cabo Verde, Cuba, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Malaysia, Mexico, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Somalia, and the U.S.

They join a long list of other countries that have also publicly announced their participation, including the United Kingdom, Tunisia, New Zealand, Chile and Indonesia.

The agenda at this year’s IPM included updates on site delivery and legacy plans; the ways in which Expo 2020 will support the participant journey, including country pavilion design and delivery; details of marketing and communications plans; and panel sessions involving participant nations and some of Expo’s Premier Partners.

Delegates will be taken for a tour of the Expo Site tomorrow (20 October).

Expo 2020 Dubai will be a celebration for all, which, through its theme ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’, will provide a platform to encourage creativity, innovation and collaboration. This is underpinned by Expo’s three pillars: Opportunity, Mobility and Sustainability.

The Expo runs for six months from 20 October 2020. More than 200 participants, including nations, multilateral organisations, corporations and educational institutions, are expected to take part.  It will be the first world Expo to be held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region and the Arab World.