At the invitation of Expo 2015, the UAE Consul General to Milan and the Expo 2020 Dubai team, consisting of representatives from the Dubai Road and Transport Authority, Dubai Police, Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai Municipality and the Expo 2020 Dubai Bureau, observed and examined how the Milan team has prepared for and will execute the six month event.
Expo 2015 Milan has spent the last six years preparing an exhibition that will explore how to tackle global food and hunger challenges. Given the planning of World Expos is a complex and multifaceted planning operation, the Dubai team was pleased to get an early look at the strategies, priorities, challenges and remedial measures put in place for such a large-scale global event.
Reem Al Hashimy, the UAE's Minister of State, Managing Director of the Expo 2020 Dubai Higher Committee and Director General of Expo 2020 Dubai Bureau, remarked: "The road to a successful Expo in Dubai includes meeting with former Expo cities and planners to ensure we are aware of all of the operational challenges that we may encounter. Such a large scale event will have a substantial impact on our communities and it is imperative that this impact is foreseeable where possible, issues are addressed and outcomes are positive before, during and after the event. We appreciate Expo 2015 Milan for sharing their experience and that our teams have and continue to have constructive exchanges." The UAE Consul General to Milan, Noura Mohammed Juma, added, "I am pleased to join the Expo 2020 Dubai team and share the cultural exchange of knowledge and goodwill between the two World Expo host cities. The Expo 2015 Milan team has put an enormous amount of time and effort into their preparation and it is generous of them to offer a preview of their operations." Expo 2015 Milan is scheduled to run May 1 – October 31, 2015. The UAE will have a country pavilion within Expo 2015, to share the UAE’s efforts to address food and hunger issues and promote Expo 2020 Dubai theme and subthemes.
In November 2013, the United Arab Emirates won the right to host the World Expo in Dubai in 2020. This will be the first time that the World Expo is staged in the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia (MENASA). Since the first Great Fair of 1851, World Expos have continued to be one of the largest and most enduring global mega-events. Lasting six months, World Expos attract millions of visitors who explore and discover pavilions, exhibits and cultural events staged by hundreds of participants including nations, multilateral organizations and businesses.
Dubai’s World Expo is held under the theme: ''Connecting Minds, Creating the Future'', echoing the powerful spirit of partnership and co-operation that has driven the UAE’s success in pioneering new paths of development and innovation. Through this theme, Expo 2020 Dubai will serve as a catalyst, connecting minds from around the world and inspiring participants to mobilize around shared challenges, during a World Expo of unprecedented global scope, under the sub-themes of Mobility, Sustainability & Opportunity.