ABU DHABI: Since being named the host of World Expo 2020, the UAE has left no stone unturned to make the event extraordinary, especially since it will be the first time such a mega fair is staged in the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia, an editorial in a local English language daily has said.

The editorial, in today's edition of The Gulf Today, added, "The two-year countdown to the mega event officially started ticking on Saturday with a public celebration at Burj Park in Downtown Dubai offering the community a glimpse of the fabulous offerings that are in store." The paper continued, "Running from 20th October, 2020 through 10th April, 2021, the Expo will also coincide with the country’s Golden Jubilee celebrations. The event will attract as many as 25 million visits, with 70 percent of visitors projected to come from outside the UAE. That’s likely to be the largest proportion of international visitors in the 167-year history of World Expos.

"In recent years, participants in World Expos, including governments, international organisations and companies, have gathered to find solutions to universal challenges and to promote their achievements, products, ideas, innovations, national brand as destinations for tourism, trade and investment. "With 200 nationalities living in total harmony, the UAE has always set a glorious example on unity in diversity. Now that more than 170 countries have confirmed participation, the Dubai experience will robustly bring to life the Expo 2020 theme of "Connecting Minds, Creating the Future."

"Things are right on track. Construction has well advanced on the three Thematic Districts that form the core of the Expo site. Foundations and structural works are complete within these areas. "Expo 2020 Dubai became the first World Expo and the second ever "mega-event" to secure a Procurement Excellence award from the highly-respected Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS) organisation, a major vote of confidence for the World Expo’s procurement practices.

"The recognition makes Expo 2020 the first major global event outside the United Kingdom, after the London 2012 Summer Olympics, to receive the award from CIPS, a global body that works with organisations involved in procurement and supply chain management.

"The awarding of Expo 2020 to Dubai reflects the confidence of the international community in UAE’s abilities. "When there is clarity in vision and aspiration to achieve big, countries can take peace, progress and prosperity to new heights. In that sense, the UAE has repeatedly proved to be a highly progressive country serving as a model for the rest of the world."

© Copyright Emirates News Agency (WAM) 2018.