Expo 2020 Dubai has been officially delayed until 2021 after a resolution for postponement forwarded by the organisers breached the required two-thirds votes threshold with weeks to spare.
The UAE government had filed a motion to postpone the event until 1 October 2021 – 31 March 2022 because of the challenging situation around the coronavirus pandemic.
Although member countries have until 29 May to vote on the proposition, the controlling body, the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), said enough votes have already been received since the ballot opened on 24 April to carry the motion.
BIE regulations stipulate that a two-thirds majority of member states holding the right to vote is required for the dates of an Expo to be changed.
The BIE is the intergovernmental organisation embodying the commitment of its 170 member states to lead, promote and foster Expos, whose principal purpose is the education of the public.
The BIE oversees four types of International Exhibitions: World Expos (officially known as International Registered Exhibitions), Specialised Expos, (officially known as International Recognised Exhibitions), Horticultural Expos and the Triennale di Milano.
Expos are global events centred around a theme addressing fundamental challenges faced by humanity. Gathering nations from around the world, they are a stage for innovations and solutions and an invitation to explore a theme through engaging and immersive discoveries.
Written By
James Lancaster
AMI editor James
Lancaster is a familiar face in the meetings industry and international
association community. Since joining AMI in 2010, he has gained a reputation
for asking difficult questions and getting lost in convention centres. Proofer, podcaster, and panellist - in his spare time, James likes to walk,
read, listen to music, and drink beer.
