· Today's most inspirational leaders came together to discuss future urban development.

　　· The World Majlis focused on legacy development and explores the potential of World Expos to transform host cities.

　　· The World Majlis was held as a side event of the first World Expo Forum for Development and International Cooperation in Shanghai.

　　The 2nd World Majlis of Expo 2010 Dubai held in Shanghai

　　Shanghai, China, December 14, 2018 – The 2nd World Majlis of Expo 2020 Dubai (the “World Majlis”) was held at the WEM. As a side event of the first World Expo Forum for Development and International Cooperation, the 2nd World Majlis brought together outstanding thought leaders from all over the world to discuss the future development of cities and the transformative power of World Expos.

　　World Majlis

　　The World Majlis organized by Expo 2020 Dubai aims to address the challenges of the 21st century based on the tradition of the UAE and the Arab countries. The World Majlis provides a platform for leaders from different backgrounds to discuss topics that are most critical to their communities and environments and to generate new perspectives.

　　The theme of the World Majlis is “City, Future, Change: World Expo as a Test Field of Great Transformation”, and 25 inspirational leaders have come together to envision the future of urban life and the long-term effect of World Expos on host cities and beyond.

　　The World Majlis is a side event of the first World Expo Forum for Development and International Cooperation. A total of 350 international representatives attended the first World Expo Forum for Development and International Cooperation to share perspectives on global cooperation, innovation, design, culture, as well as World Expo's economic and urban influences.

　　As the organizer of the World Majlis, Najeeb Mohammed Al-Ali, Executive Director of Dubai Expo 2020 Bureau, said:"The World Expo is a catalyst for change. The Expo will bring together millions of visitors from all corners of the world to interact and share new ideas. The Expo will create real opportunities for every participant and will have lasting impact.”

　　Najeeb Mohammed Al-Ali, Executive Director, Dubai Expo 2020 Bureau

　　“As the first World Expo held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia, Expo 2010 Dubai will have a positive impact on the urban development of Dubai, the United Arab Emirates and the entire region. The insights generated by the World Majlis in Shanghai will help to advance this process and will have a profound impact on Expo 2010 Dubai and future urban development.”

　　Mr. Vicente G. Loscertales, Secretary General of the BIE, said:"The World Expo is an indispensable part of the host city's master plan and its diversity plan. From the Expo in Japan, we can see how the integration of government and urban residents can bring the best results to urban transformation. The changes that Expo brought to Lisbon are also revolutionary: it created a totally new environment for the new generation.”

　　Vicent G. Loscertales, Secretary General of the BIE

　　“Expo 2010 Shanghai is a good example of what a successful World Expo can be, and of how the Expo can mobilize the people and drive the development of the city. These are the best practices of urban development and will inspire Expo 2020 and future World Expos.”

　　The World Majlis was chaired by Ms. Maljiang Faledoni, Senior Vice President of Development and Impact of World Expo Heritage of Expo 2020 Dubai. Other participants included Mattar Al Siri Al Kamz, Consul General of the UAE in Shanghai. Mr. Hong Hao, Chairman of the WEM Council, Professor Joan Busquets, Professor of the Harvard University School of Design, and Professor Cheng Jian from Shanghai World Cities Day Coordination Center.

　　Mr. Hong Hao, Chairman of the WEM Council, highly appreciated the organization of the World Majlis and recognized its importance in communicating ideas, promoting change and encouraging dialogue. He said:"Expo 2010 Shanghai has not only driven urban infrastructure development, but also mobilized the awareness of the people. The city has become cleaner, more orderly, tolerant and harmonious.”

　　Mr. Hong Hao, Chairman of the WEM Council

　　As one of the many cooperation projects between Expo 2010 Dubai and the WEM, the World Majlishas has invited many former World Expo organizers to share their best practices in planning and guiding the city's future development, which is a legacy for Expo 2020 Dubai and an opportunity for deep and comprehensive learning. The World Majlis is a platform to generate information sources for the development of the city through the past, present and future.

　　Ms. Maljiang Faledoni said:"The success of a World Expo is not only measured by the number of visitors, but also the impact on these visitors. We are trying to expand the influence of Expo 2020 Dubai to the entire region and the world through an array of platforms, including the World Majlis.”

　　“The insights shared by the participants at this World Majlis will help us promote the development of the '2020 region', a connected destination supported by technology. It will use 80% of the developed environment of Expo 2020 Dubai to create a future city that will enable the next generation to connect, create and innovate.”

　　Ms. Marjan Faraidooni, Senior Vice President, Development and Impact of World Expo Heritage, Dubai World Expo 2020

　　For more than 150 years, World Expos have been driving the evolution of host cities. The 1851 Great Exhibition in London promoted the creation of Albert London and the city's prosperity has continued to this day. WEM is part of Expo 2010 Shanghai legacy.

　　Expo 2010 Dubai will create meaningful and sustainable legacies. At the World Majlis in Shanghai, the participants exchanged views concerning how Expo 2010 Dubai can promote the “Great Change” in the city, the United Arab Emirates and the whole region, and how Dubai as a global destination will lead future urban development.

　　Deputy Director of Expo 2025 Osaka and Deputy Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan, Mr. Kuroda said:"Expo 2025 will be Japan's second World Expo. There is no doubt that the World Expo is a catalyst for social and economic development and helps to meet the constant growing needs for healthier and longer life. We use the Expo as a test field to try new things, for the aim of promoting urban transformation and development and creating global influences.”

　　Mr. Kuroda Ichiro, Deputy Director of Expo 2025 Osaka and Deputy Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan

　　Ms. Wang Jun, Chairman of Shanghai International Arts Festival, said:"In the current digital age, people may question the significance of holding a large event in a physical space. In fact, face-to-face meeting or even eye contact is extremely meaningful. The World Expo is the perfect platform for the meeting of different cultures.”

　　Ms. Wang Jun, Chairman of China Shanghai International Arts Festival

　　The World Majlis in Shanghai is the second session held outside the UAE. The first World Majlis of Expo 2010 Dubai was held in September 2018 as a side event of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, USA. The theme was “How will innovation and humanistic spirit drive more people to create their own future?”

　　In line with the theme “Connecting Minds, Creating the Future” and three sub-themes “Opportunity”,“Mobility” and “Sustainability” at Expo 2020 Dubai, the World Majlis brings together current and future thought leaders with diverse backgrounds to discuss important issues. The World Majlis is designed to encourage people to interact and exchange perspectives to create fresh perspectives.

　　Rendering of Expo 2020 Dubai Site

　　Expo 2010 Dubai will last from October 20, 2020 to April 10, 2021. 50 World Majlis will be held before the opening of the Expo and during the six-month Expo in 2020. The next World Majlis will be held in the UAE in the first quarter of 2019.(Source: Dubai Expo 2020 Bureau)