"The UAE's bid is about an Expo for the world - an opportunity for nations, countries and the business community to get involved," said Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimy to CNN at 2013 World Economic Forum Annual Meeting

Jeddah , Saudi Arabia ; February 4th, 2013: Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State and Managing Director of the UAE's Higher Committee for Hosting World Expo 2020 in Dubai, spoke with CNN Emerging Markets Editor John Defterios during the 2013 World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland.

During the interview, which aired on CNN International's "Marketplace Middle East" programme, Her Excellency discussed the UAE's strengths in relation to the country's bid to host the 2020 World Expo in Dubai.

"With the merits of our country from its strong infrastructure, the geographical positioning between east and west, the seamless operations between our ports and airports, and our global connectivity, we feel we really can bring people together and do justice to our theme 'Connecting Minds, Creating the Future'," Her Excellency said. "2020 will offer a diverse, exciting and international profile for the World Expo visitors and participants alike."

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Please find below a link to the full interview: - http://edition.cnn.com/video/#/video/international/2013/02/01/marketplace-middle-east-tunisia-dubai-b.cnn?iref=allsearch

About the Higher Committee for Hosting the 2020 World Expo in Dubai:
The Higher Committee for Hosting the 2020 World Expo was formed by decree by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister, in his capacity as Ruler of Dubai. His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman of Emirates Group, serves as Chairman of the Committee.

Additional Committee members include: His Excellency Mohammed Ibrahim Al Shaibani, Director-General of His Highness the Ruler's Court of Dubai, who serves as Deputy Chairman; Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State and the Committee's Managing Director; His Excellency Mattar Mohammed Al Tayer, Chairman of the Roads and Transport Authority; His Excellency Hussain Nasser Lootah, Director General of Dubai Municipality; Major General Khamis Mutar Al Muzainah, Deputy Commander General of Dubai Police; and Mr. Helal Saeed Al Marri, Director General of Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing and CEO of Dubai World Trade Centre.

The Committee submits regular reports directly to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed on the outcomes, milestones, challenges, solutions, proposals and recommendations towards achieving the ultimate goal of ensuring success in hosting World Expo 2020.

For further information about the UAE bid, please visit:

  • Website: www.expo2020dubai.ae

  • Facebook: www.facebook.com/DubaiExpo2020

  • Twitter: @Dubaiexpo2020

About the Bureau International des Expositions:
The Paris-based Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) is the intergovernmental organisation in charge of overseeing the calendar, bidding, selection and organisation of World Expos. The BIE was created by an international convention signed in Paris in 1928, which established the rights and responsibilities of Expo organisers and participants. The role of the BIE is to supervise and ensure the application of this Convention.

The BIE's mission is to maintain the integrity and quality of Expos so that they may continue to educate the public and promote innovation in the service of human progress. Expos must be able to not only provide a benchmark for the human progress made in a given domain, but also propose a roadmap for the way forward - and the BIE works to ensure this.

For further information about the BIE, please visit: www.bie-paris.org

For further information about Expo 2020, please contact:
Malek Abderahman
ASDA'A Burson-Marsteller
Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Tel: 026067202           
malek.abdelrahman@bm.com

© Press Release 2013