Dubai Expo 2020 has appointed Simon Clegg as Chief Operating Officer, the title he also held for the Baku 2015 European Games. 

As a speaker at Host City 2015 in November, Clegg shared his experiences of organising the inaugural European Games in Baku.

He led a team of 2,500 full time staff, supported by 12,000 volunteers, to deliver a mega event in an unprecedented compressed time frame and broadcast to an estimated 832 million households. 

This is the first time Clegg has been appointed to run a major non-sports event.

“I am very excited about joining the team at Expo 2020,” said Clegg.

“The vision and ambition of the project will make it a stunning experience for the expected 25 million visitors, 70% of whom will come from overseas.

“Within each country's pavilion visitors will be able to experience the rich diversity and culture that makes up our planet as well as seeing the latest technological developments around each of our chosen themes. 

“Dubai is already one of the world's greatest tourist destinations and its position will be further cemented through the hosting of this truly global event"

Clegg’s previous roles include managing Team GB at Beijing in 2008 – its most successful Olympic Games in a century – and leading the campaign to persuade the British government and Mayor of London to bid to host the 2012 Olympic Games. He was subsequently appointed a board member of the London 2012 Olympic Games bid and Organising Committees.  

“I am delighted to have someone of Simon's caliber, leadership skills and considerable management experience of large global events join our team,” said Expo 2020 Director General and UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation, Her Excellency Reem Al-Hashimy.

“His management and commercial skills will strengthen our team and help ensure the successful delivery of our 1,082 acre site. I look forward to working with him on this hugely important event for Dubai, the UAE and the entire region.”

Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) has appointed a consortium of CH2M HILL and Mace to deliver the Dubai Trade Centre Jebel Ali development, the site that will host Expo 2020 Dubai and act as focus for events beyond 2021.

In a rigorous procurement process, the joint venture of US firm CH2M HILL and UK-based Mace had to compete with other leading global firms with mega-event experience. 

In winning the tender, CH2M HILL-Mace is now responsible for providing full-service consultancy, real estate programme management, design, construction and operations management for the end-to-end development and delivery of Dubai Trade Centre Jebel Ali and the Expo 2020 Dubai site.

Dubai Trade Centre Jebel Ali development is the master district that will host Expo 2020 Dubai within a secure gated area from October 2020 until April 2021. 

"In CH2M HILL and Mace we have a proven partner that we feel confident will enable the delivery of a state-of-the-art home for Expo 2020 Dubai," said Ahmed Al Khatib, Director - Real Estate, DWTC. 

The site, designed by architectural firm HOK and engineering company Arup, contains precincts that are being programmed specifically for long term use beyond the Expo.

The Dubai Trade Centre Jebel Ali development is being planned as a new focal point of global business tourism for the region, reinforcing the UAE's established position as an international destination fostering thought leadership across key sectors for economic development and a business networking hub through trade fairs, mega-events and conferences.

The site is also being planned as an inclusive environment that inspires the region's young people while fostering cultural learning, cooperation, creativity and business.

The vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai is to create a smart destination for 'purposeful innovation', with a core focus on youth and culture to establish Dubai as a global city of the future.

“The success of the development is critically linked to its timely and efficient evolution to the planned legacy of Dubai Trade Centre Jebel Ali, and we look forward to seeing this partnership with CH2M HILL-Mace support DWTC and Dubai in fulfilling this long-term commitment,” said Al Khatib.

CH2M HILL-Mace have previously joined forces on several occasions in the sports and events industries, most recently for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. 

CH2M HILL has also played a strategic consulting role on Rio 2016. Mace is programme manager for the Qatar Public Works programmes and has provided strategic advice to the organising committee of Astana Expo 2017. 

Both companies have a strong presence in the Middle East. In the UAE they have independently delivered major private sector and government projects including Jumeirah Beach Residences, Mall of the Emirates, Business Bay Development, Media City, Silicon Oasis, the Abu Dhabi STEP Programme, ENEC Nuclear Programme and Masdar City.

"As a world leader in programme management, we will bring our track record of delivery excellence, sustainability and innovation to this programme, a benchmark for major events,” said Joseph Danko, senior vice president and operations director, urban programmes at CH2M HILL.

“We are excited to take on this amazing opportunity and contribute to the ever increasing global role of Dubai, its leadership and people."

The Higher Organising Committee for Expo 2020 signed an agreement on Tuesday that positions Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Centre as its Heritage Strategic Partner.

Under the partnership, the Centre will organise a wide range of events and activities to promote the UAE’s heritage and culture during Expo 2020, which will be held in Dubai over nearly six months.

“The appointment constitutes an important step in our efforts to promote this international exhibition, add a cultural and heritage dimension to the event and enrich the experience for visitors and exhibitors,” said Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimy, Managing Director of Expo 2020 Higher Committee.

“As a credible and trusted source on UAE national heritage and cultural traditions, the Centre has played a salutary role in preserving the country’s heritage and passing it on from one generation to the next. We are fully confident that the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Centre will be able to achieve our goals for the Expo 2020, promote this international event effectively and highlight the heritage of our beloved nation in a befitting and honourable way.”

His Excellency Abdullah Hamdan Bin Dalmouk, CEO of Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Centre, said “We look forward to working together with the Higher Organising Committee for Expo 2020 and establish the heritage concepts of the UAE to create a unique experience for all visitors. 

Up to 25 million people are expected to visit the Expo, of which 70 per cent are expected to be from overseas. 

“The exhibition provides our country an opportunity to show the world its capability for innovation by staging a world-class event that combines state-of-the-art technology with a proud display of our cultural heritage and traditions.”

Expo 2020 will be held in Dubai from 20 October to 10 April 2021 under the slogan “Connecting Minds, Creating the Future”. With three thematic concepts of “Mobility, Sustainability and Opportunity”, the exhibition seeks to nurture new partnerships for future growth and sustainability.

The event coincides with the UAE’s 50th National Day and as Dubai is taking the opportunity to celebrate and promote the host nation.

“We have been able to make huge progress in several areas, foremost among which is building a pool of globally competitive Emirati individuals, consolidating citizens’ sense of belonging to their homeland and strengthening the national identity among the youth, and generally deepening patriotic fervour among people all around the UAE,” said Bin Dalmouk.

Expo 2020 will be the first to be held in the MENASA (Middle East, North Africa and South Asia) region.

The companies, which were involved in the UAE’s bid to host the historic exhibition, are currently undertaking site readiness activities, and will advise the Dubai Expo 2020 Higher Preparatory Committee in a number of areas.

The Committee said that the two companies had been appointed due to their “successful involvement” with the original masterplan, their detailed knowledge of the project and experience of working on other major events.

The host location will be a 438-hectare site that stretches from Dubai Trade Centre to Jebel Ali and comprises a 150-hectare Expo area plus hospitality, logistics and accommodation facilities.

HOK and Arup will work on the Expo masterplan comprising the urban design and engineering, landscaping, signage, overlay, sustainability, transportation, logistics, facility management and event operations.

Construction work will begin when the Bureau of International Expositions, the governing body of the World Expo, approves the plan, with a decision expected by November 2015.

The plans will correlate with Dubai’s ‘Smart City’ agenda, with the Expo site being designed to serve as a prototype for information and communications technology innovations, particularly in education and entertainment.

The exhibition site is designed to accommodate up to 300,000 visitors, with average week-day attendance expected at 153,000.

“Expos have been home to some of the world’s most landmark structures, from the Crystal Palace in London to the Eiffel Tower in Paris,” the Committee’s Managing Director, Reem Al Hashimy, said, according to Gulf Business.

“Dubai is committed to building on this tradition and making the entire site an experiential environment that fully embodies the essence of our theme ‘connecting minds, creating the future’.”

Committee Member Helal Almarri added: “The masterplan design and execution is driven by a clear vision for its legacy, integrating sustainable urban development with opportunities to foster economic and social development for the emirate, for the country and for our region.”

Dubai overcame Ekaterinburg (Russia), Izmir (Turkey) and Sao Paulo (Brazil) to secure the hosting rights in November last year.

The exhibition site will be designed to accommodate up to 300,000 visitors, with average weekday attendance at the six-month event, which will run from October 2020 to April 2021, likely to be about 150,000.

Cities around the world are currently expressing their interest in hosting future World Expos, with the hosts of the International Exposition in 2023 and Universal Exposition in 2025 expected to be determined over the next two to three years.

Cities around the world are expressing their interest in hosting World Expos, with the hosts of the International Exposition in 2023 and Universal Exposition in 2025 expected to be determined over the next two to three years. 

The geographical location of the city and the sustainability of the project will be among the decisive factors, according to Vincente Loscertales, secretary general of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE). 

Speaking to HOST CITY about why Dubai was awarded the right to host World Expo 2020, Loscertales said “The policy of the organisation is to move Expos to new regions and particular regions which are the link between continents, between other regions.”

Traditionally, World Expos have either taken place in Western Europe, North America or Japan. However, in recent years, as with many major global events, the trend has been towards moving Expos to pastures new such as the Far East – in the case of Shanghai 2010 – and most recently, the Middle East. 

Expo 2017 was awarded to the Kazak capital Astana whilst Expo 2020 will take place in the emirate of Dubai. “Moving the Expo to the Middle East is to take the Expo to a hub; to a place that is a link in trade, transport and financial systems between continents. From this point of view, Dubai is an excellent showcase,” said Loscertales.

“In the case of Dubai, it’s to bring it to a region which is sometimes better known because of conflict, and to show how an Expo in this area will contribute to a better knowledge of the whole region. It is the first time an Expo will take place in an Arabic, Muslim country.”

A whole range of cities from both East and West, are lining up to be considered for the 2025 World Expo. Whilst there are possible bids from Chinese, Russian and Iranian cities, the Expo’s founding fathers London and Paris are also in the mix. 

“We are also in talks with some American cities – Houston and San Francisco. We have also received news from Azerbaijan that they would like to host an Expo in Baku in 2025.”

With the cost of bidding for a World Expo running to as much as US$ 100m, the BIE is keen to make sure that interested cities proceed with their eyes open. Before a city formally bids to host a World Expo, the requirements of hosting the event are explained in a preliminary conversation with the BIE – what Loscertales describes as a “pre-dialogue”.

The result should be a handful of strong candidates. “I anticipate that we will consolidate three to five bids from all the applications,” says Loscertales.

Sustainability must be at the core of both the theme and the planned delivery of an Expo bid. “The duty of our organisation when we evaluate an Expo project is first of all to see how this Expo project is integrated with the environment.”

Loscertales also discussed the progress of Expo 2015 in Milan, which has been hit by construction delays and police investigations into alleged corruption in the awarding of contracts. 

“The political environment is complicated,” said Loscertales. “We have to be optimistic and I am convinced that in May we are going to open the gates of a very beautiful exhibition in Milan.”

To read the full interview with Vincente Loscertales, register to receive HOST CITY magazine

There is still work to do in the most challenging of times, but Expo 2020 Dubai is on schedule to open in October thanks to measures taken by the host nation.

“Putting on a World Expo, against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic requires a global effort from the 192 countries taking part in Expo 2020 Dubai,” BIE Secretary General Dimitri Kerkentzes was reported as saying in Egyptian newspaper al-Ahram on 19 March.

“We continue working with the organisers and are confident in the steps that the UAE has taken to manage the spread of the virus and protect all those involved in the Expo. Expo 2020 Dubai’s pragmatic approach offers both reassurance and assistance to those who need it, and will, I believe, contribute to the successful delivery of this mega event.”

A steering committee of representatives of countries taking part in Expo 2020 Dubai met virtually on 19 March to discuss the impact of the coronavirus outbreak on preparations.

“As hosts of the next World Expo, due to open in seven months’ time, we always knew that 2020 was going to be demanding. What we could not predict is that we would be doing so in the midst of the biggest global health crisis in generations,” UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation and Director General of Expo 2020 Dubai Reem Al Hashimy is reported as saying in al-Ahram.

“These are difficult, uncertain times, which makes it even more heartening to see communities around the world facing this challenge together and to witness the incredible resilience of the human spirit against a menace that does not recognise international borders or timelines.

“Our immediate priority is the health and well-being of everyone involved in Expo 2020 Dubai, and this will not be compromised. Our monitoring of ongoing developments means we will take all sensible precautions to manage and mitigate risk to all those involved.”

The UAE has taken a range of measures to control the spread of COVID-19. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces told government news agency Wam: “In the UAE, we have adopted rational and early advanced precautionary measures before other countries around us to stand up to the challenge… Therefore, the infection tally in the UAE is less thanks to our early response to contain the virus at its onset”

Construction by the organising committee is complete, with International Participant Pavilions being completed.

The value of World Expos cannot be understated. “For almost 170 years they have brought countries and people together to celebrate the best of humanity, and the fruits of our innovation and collaboration, around a theme addressing global challenges,” said Kerkentzes.

In 2020, Dubai will host the biggest event in the history of the Arab World: the first World Expo ever held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region.

Our theme, ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’, is based on the belief that innovation and progress are the result of people and ideas coming together in new and unique ways.

With 25 million visits expected between 20 October, 2020 and 10 April, 2021 and more than 200 participants, including nations, multilateral organisations, businesses and educational institutions, it is not difficult to see how Expo 2020 is ‘Connecting Minds’.

But how are we ‘Creating the Future’? We believe a World Expo should leave a lasting impact on the path of human progress, and we are working to realise this vision across various dimensions.

From the very beginning, Expo 2020 has been committed to building a legacy that is meaningful and sustainable, extending its impact and benefits beyond the UAE to the wider region and the rest of the world. Expo 2020’s long-term approach is based on four pillars: physical, economic, social and reputational.

Integrated community

Expo 2020 will take place on a 4.38 sq km masterplanned site inspired by our core theme. Al Wasl Plaza, which takes its name from the Arabic term for ‘the connection’, is the site’s centrepiece. It connects three Themed Districts, each of which is dedicated to one of our key subthemes: Opportunity, Mobility and Sustainability. A large part of our physical strategy involves the site’s transformation immediately after the World Expo into District 2020 – a highly accessible, well connected and integrated urban development that will continue our mission to Connect, Create and Innovate.

District 2020 will be a world-class integrated community, building on the legacy of Expo 2020 Dubai and supporting the acceleration of Dubai’s development. It has been carefully planned to support the UAE’s future vision by supporting sustainable economic development, moving towards an innovation-driven economy and creating a business environment that directly encourages progress within key growth industries.

It has been designed to offer a new urban experience at the cutting edge of modern working and living, and to promote a collaborative and innovation-driven business ecosystem that encourages a sustainable, healthy and balanced lifestyle. It will include a variety of residential and commercial spaces in a location that will become home to innovation, educational and entertainment facilities, parks, health and leisure amenities, as well as a Conference and Exhibition Centre (CoEx) developed by Dubai World Trade Centre.

It will be one of the most connected places on the planet. Located near Al Maktoum International Airport, the community will be connected to Dubai Metro via a dedicated station and major highways, making it easily accessible from all of the UAE’s air and sea ports.

Permanent presence

District 2020 will reuse 80 per cent of Expo 2020’s built environment and many aspects of the Expo 2020 masterplan have been designed with dual purposes in mind. The Sustainability Pavilion, one of the iconic Expo 2020 signature pavilions, will remain as a world-class Children and Science Centre, continuing its mission to encourage appreciation of science and nature among visitors and residents, particularly youth, for years to come.

While the CoEx will provide 45,000 sqm of exhibition space during the World Expo, this will be increased to 180,000 sqm for District 2020, spurring on Dubai’s evolution as a leading global destination for events, conferences and exhibitions.

Two multinational giants have already committed to establishing a permanent presence within District 2020. Siemens will base its global headquarters for airports, cargo and ports logistics at the site, while Accenture will open a digital hub.

District 2020 will also be home to an array of social and cultural attractions and recreational spaces. It will retain the iconic Al Wasl Plaza, the site’s 150-metre diameter centrepiece, which will feature a 67.5-metre tall domed trellis inspired by Expo 2020’s logo.

Expo 2020 will also spur significant long-term economic growth. Our business-focused tools and outreach programmes are engaging firms of all sizes, including a particular emphasis on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), as we understand they are the backbone of any economy. Our new Online Marketplace also connects businesses and suppliers not only to our partners but also to each other, creating a platform unlike no other in the region.

More than 20,000 companies from 140 countries, including more than 14,100 SMEs, have already registered on the Expo 2020 Dubai e-Sourcing Portal. Last year, more than AED 10.8 billion of Expo construction contracts and AED 411 million of non-construction contracts were awarded. To date, Expo has awarded a total of 3,093 contracts, with more than half going to SMEs, helping them to grow their futures.

By building ties that will remain well beyond 2020, Expo will continue to contribute to new business generation, GDP growth and job creation across the region for generations to come.

Bringing the world together

Expo 2020 will also strengthen the UAE’s reputation on the international stage by demonstrating the country’s capacity to bring the world together. It will not only highlight the UAE as an inclusive, diverse, tolerant, safe and cooperative nation, but also showcase the great potential of the wider region to the rest of the world.

From a social perspective, Expo 2020 is an opportunity to inspire, empower and involve our youth, enabling young people to expand their horizons. It will encourage an understanding of – and an interest in – key drivers of future progress in line with our three subthemes.

The MEASA region boasts a substantial youth population with an enormous wealth of potential. Our youth are the innovators and thought leaders of tomorrow, so we are working to harness and nurture their talent as the new stewards of our planet.

The next World Expo is an immense opportunity to create an integrated ecosystem that will continue to attract businesses, visitors and residents long into the future. It is a festival for all that brings the world together, but its impact will extend far beyond the six months of the event. Expo 2020 is one of many steps along the road to ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’.

This article first appeared in the Summer 2018 issue of Host City magazine

Expo 2020 Dubai will award 47 construction contracts worth $3 billion in 2017 as preparations for the Middle East’s first world expo continues to gather pace.

A further 98 non-construction contracts totalling more than $98 million will also be distributed before the end of the year. These will range from legal advisory services to event management and merchandising.

The construction contracts for 2017, which are open to local, regional and international businesses, include the third and final infrastructure package for the event’s support areas.

Reem Al Hashimy, the UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation and Director General, Dubai Expo 2020 Bureau, said: “We are committed to working with leading businesses from across the world in order to deliver an exceptional event of this scale, on time and on budget.

“This is particularly true when it comes to the development of the physical site, which will live on long beyond 2021 to become an anchor for the UAE’s developing knowledge economy in Dubai South.

“But just as importantly, the non-construction contracts to be procured this year will allow us to spread the investment made in the Expo as far as possible and enable local, regional and international businesses of all sizes to be part of what will be the most inclusive and international event in Expo history.”

In 2016, Expo 2020 Dubai awarded more than 1,200 contracts, investing more than $544.5 million in the economy. This included the appointment of an Orascom-Besix joint venture at the end of the year to develop the deep infrastructure at the Expo site in Dubai South. Once complete, the site will cover 4.38 square kilometres and host up to 300,000 people a day between October 2020 and April 2021.

Ahmed Al Khatib, vice president of real estate and delivery, Expo 2020 Dubai, said: “While 2016 was an important year for design, 2017 is when the momentum of construction will really build, ahead of international participants beginning work on their pavilions in 2018.

“These important contracts will help us meet our target of completing the majority of construction with a year to go before Expo 2020 Dubai opens its doors in October 2020, providing the opportunity for all-important readiness testing.”

The UK-based Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) has announced that its first lecture tour of the Middle East will take place on 13-17 March. Sir John Armitt, Vice President International of ICE and Chairman of the London Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) is to speak in Abu Dhabi, Doha and Dubai. 

The series of evening lectures, entitled "Developing Modern Infrastructure", will specifically address the challenges of planning and executing large-scale infrastructure projects.

The chairman of the London 2012 ODA and former chief executive of Network Rail, Sir John will share his knowledge and insight into the challenges of planning and delivering large-scale infrastructure projects. 

The lectures will make particular reference to the London 2012 Olympic Games in the light of the many new and ongoing infrastructure projects in the Middle East, such as World Expo 2020 Dubai, Qatar 2022.

Sir John will speak in Abu Dhabi at 6:30PM on 13 March, Doha at 6:30PM on 16 March and Dubai at 6PM on 17 March. For more information about these free lectures, contact melanie.hill@ice.org.uk