Dubai sets up Expo 2020 preparatory panel

Shaikh Mohammed’s Decree No (49) of 2013 is the starting step of Dubai’s practical preparations to host the world’s largest and most prestigious exhibition. 

His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE, in his capacity as Ruler of Dubai has issued a decree on the formation of the Expo 2020 Preparatory Committee under the supervision of Shaikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council.

Shaikh Mohammed’s Decree No (49) of 2013 is the starting step of Dubai’s practical preparations to host the world’s largest and most prestigious exhibition and the events and activities on its sidelines.

Pursuant to the decree, Shaikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Department of Civil Aviation and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates airline and Group, is assigned chairman of the committee and Mohammed Ibrahim Al Shaibani, Director-General of the Ruler’s Court, as vice-chairman. Further, the committee is composed of Reem Al Hashemi, Minister of State; Major General Khamis Mattar Al Mazeina, Chief Commander of Dubai Police; Hussain Nasser Lootah, Director-General of the Dubai Municipality; Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of Road and

Transport Authority; Khalifa Al Zaffin, Executive Chairman of Dubai Aviation City Corporation; and Helal Saeed Al Marri, Director-General of Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing and CEO of Dubai World Trade Centre.

The committee will set the required strategic plans to organise and prepare for hosting Expo 2020 and will also evaluate the suitability and efficiency of Dubai’s infrastructure, including touristic, medical and transport facilities. The committee will also determine the emirate’s technical, security and economic requirements to present the international event in the best ways possible. Additionally, the committee will organise and coordinate efforts between various public and private entities, inside and outside Dubai, in all aspects related to Expo 2020.

The committee’s specialty also includes defining the programmes, activities and events that will be held on the sideline of Expo 2020, supervising advertising campaigns locally, regionally and internationally to promote the exhibition, supervising the promotion campaigns for the events taking place during the exhibition and coordinate efforts with the organisations specialised in this field.

The committee will submit its reports periodically to Shaikh Mohammed and brief him on the progress and outcomes of its efforts, in addition to any suggestions, to insure the success of the exhibition.

The decree asserted on the importance of full cooperation and coordination between all Dubai Government’s bodies to attain the objectives of the committee. Article (9) of the decree abrogate Decree No (2) of 2012 on the formation of Expo 2020 preparatory committee and its attached amendments; moreover, the new decree nullifies any other law or legislation that contradicts and/or challenge the rules and regulations prescribed in Decree No (49) of 2014. This decree is effective from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.