Dubai Expo 2020 to appoint global high-profile event ambassadors

Dubai Expo 2020 will soon have high-profile global ambassadors to spread awareness about the event, it was announced on Wednesday.

The new Expo Ambassadorship programme will see the appointment of thought leaders and inspirers from different walks of life, the Higher Committee of Expo 2020 Dubai said in a statement.

Ambassadors will be chosen from eight categories including health, education, science, sport, design, arts and culture, technology and entrepreneurial activity. Over the five years leading up to the expo, other areas may be added to this list, officials said.

UAE Minister of State and director general of the Expo 2020 Dubai Higher Committee Reem Al Hashimy said: “Each ambassador will spearhead a field of global excellence. Their role is to use their knowledge and voice to bring our themes to life in their everyday interactions, especially with younger members of our global family.

“To spread the word, to point to progress, to engage in debate, to show the importance of live mega-events when it comes to increasing understanding and adding to human interaction and knowledge.”

The names of the ambassadors will be announced over the coming months, the committee said.

Al Hashimy added: “The ambassadors will bring surprise, intrigue, fun, excellence and excitement to the event and the journey leading up to it.”

The United Arab Emirates was formally approved by the Paris-based Bureau International des Expositions as the official host of the Expo 2020 last month.

The event in Dubai is being held under the theme ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’expressed through three main sub-themes – opportunity, mobility and sustainability.

“Our expo themes are both significant and broad,” said Al Hashimy. “They cover many fields of human endeavour and point the way to areas of concern and celebration. Concern for the planet, for jobs, for education and for the future; celebration of humanity’s brightest achievements and of our ability to connect and work together to make things better for all.”

The event will run from October 2020 to April 2021 and marks the first time that the expo is held in the Middle East, South Asia and Africa region.