The third International Participants’ Meeting (IPM) forWorld Expo 2020concluded today in Dubai. A key step in the preparations for the next World Expo, the two-day event gathered 626 delegates from countries from around the world to learn about progress made on the Expo and future actions.

　　Held annually in the years leading up to the Expo, this meeting is the third IPM to be held since Expo 2020 was formally registered by the BIE in 2015. It enables representatives from Expo 2020 Dubai, members of the Government of the UAE, and officials from the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) to exchange with countries and organisations that will participate in Expo 2020.

　　Vicente G. Loscertales, Secretary General of the BIE, addressing the 3rd IPM of Expo 2020 Dubai

　　In an opening address, the Secretary General of the BIE, Vicente G. Loscertales, underlined the importance of the implication of Expo participants, telling delegates:“Our hosts have successfully laid the foundations of this adventure and it is now time for participants to play a dynamic and constructive role in developing the Expo.”

　　Reem Al Hashimy, the Director General of Expo 2020 Dubai and UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation, highlighted the strong international interest in the Expo, indicating:“Expo 2020 offers an opportunity for countries from every corner of the planet to showcase their cultures, ideas and innovations to millions of visitors, and every participating nation will play an important role in the delivery of an exceptional World Expo.”

　　HE Reem Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation and Director General, Dubai Expo 2020 Bureau

　　The meeting was attended by H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, took part in the meeting, as well as H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Expo 2020 Dubai Higher Committee.

　　Sessions were dedicated to organisational and logistical topics, including progress on the Expo site, the Organiser’s “One Stop Shop” for operational services for Participants, and Expo 2020 Dubai’s international marketing activities. At a crucial time when many participants are actively preparing their pavilions, several information sessions were organised on planning, programming and delivering pavilion content.

　　This afternoon, delegates visited the Expo site, where construction of key thematic buildings is at an advanced pace, and where several countries are already making progress on their pavilions.

　　At the conclusion of the meeting, Mr. Loscertales indicated:“Remarkable progress is being made in the delivery of an exceptional World Expo. We look forward to seeing more country pavilion designs and content revealed in the coming months, as well as further international engagement efforts.”

　　The IPM included the launch of Expo 2020 Dubai’sGlobal Best Practice Programme, an international call for projects to gather and highlight tried and tested initiatives that can be adapted, replicated and scaled worldwide. Focused on local solutions to the Sustainable Development Goals, applications for the programme, named ‘Small Steps, Big Leaps: Solutions for Sustainable Impact’ are now open.

　　Organised under the theme “Connecting Minds, Creating the Future”, Expo 2020 Dubai will take place between 20 October 2020 and 21 April 2021. Of the estimated 25 million visitors, 70% are expected to come from outside the UAE.