World Expos: A Blueprint for the Future
Today, more than ever, people are looking for an optimistic vision for the future, and Expo 2020 Dubai will act as a crucial platform, bringing the world together, with a shared purpose of addressing some of the biggest challenges facing our planet today.
Within its core themes of opportunity, mobility and sustainability, Expo 2020 will serve as an opportunity for more than 190 nations to share their progress, innovations and aspirations for a better future.
As the first World Expo to be held in the region, it is also making history, and at Cisco, we are proud to be playing our role in enabling one of the most technologically-advanced Expos in the event’s history – as Official Digital Network Partner of Expo 2020 Dubai.
World Expos have been running since 1851, each time, accelerating the pace of innovation. The telephone, x-ray machine and touchscreens were first unveiled at World Expos. From concepts signaling the future of travel, to life-changing possibilities of 3D printing, the UAE’s mega-event is set to break boundaries once again. But beyond being a showcase to marvel at human ingenuity, what does a World Expo truly offer the host country?
To put it simply, expositions are a celebration of culture, collaboration and innovation. Their very nature promotes optimism, opportunities and cohesiveness. At Expo 2020 Dubai, more than 200 participants – including countries, multilateral organizations, educational establishments and companies – will come together to learn from one another, form new partnerships and collaborate for a better future.
A successful Expo must be aligned with the host city and wider country’s vision for both short and long-term success. Expo 2020 Dubai aspires to deliver on advancements in digitization and sustainability. It will serve as an example, inspiring visitors to believe in the power of technology for good and leave with a sense of shared responsibility to futureproof our planet.
Expo 2020 is closely aligned with helping to achieve the UAE Vision 2021 National Agenda, by increasing tourism and developing innovative businesses. Emphasis is being placed on SMEs as the key to future growth and job creation, with 20 percent of direct and indirect spending from Expo 2020 committed to SMEs. By the end of October 2020, Expo 2020 had already awarded close to AED 5.12 billion to SMEs for this purpose.
Of the more than 46,000 organizations registered to do business with Expo 2020, approximately 54 percent are SMEs. Due to the project’s sheer scale, various contracts have been awarded to oversee the development and smooth-running of the event – 55 percent of which were awarded within the SME sector. In addition, thousands of licensed products, made by SME’s both locally and internationally will go on sale through the Expo 2020 Dubai Merchandising and Licensing program – giving vital exposure to deserving companies.
The positive effects of Expo 2020 Dubai will be felt in the years after the event has finished. More than 80 percent of Expo 2020’s infrastructure will live on in the form of District 2020, a human-centric smart community, designed to support the UAE’s advancement towards an innovation-driven economy. The development will retain more than 260,000 sq m GFA (gross floor area) of LEED-certified structures from Expo 2020 Dubai, alongside a host of other smart and sustainable solutions. These will be transitioned into residential, commercial, and cultural neighborhoods.
Putting a city forward as a candidate to host a World Expo and considering long-term impact is by no means an easy feat. It takes a shared vision and sense of duty, robust structure for planning and investment, and collaboration with public and private entities to bring such concepts to life. The benefits are also very apparent: positive impacts on social cohesion and responsibility, advancements in areas such as education and healthcare, spurring SME growth and more.
While Expo 2025 will take place in Osaka, I find myself wondering when we will next see another World Expo in the Middle East and Africa. Imagine if a decade from now, we were getting ready to host an event of this magnitude in Cairo, Istanbul, Johannesburg or Riyadh.
From my experience, I know how ambitious and ready our region is to plan ahead and make it happen. Together, we can replicate the success of Expo 2020 Dubai to create meaningful and lasting legacies for cities and nations across the region. So, where to next?
#CiscoExpo2020 #Expo2020 #Dubai
Looking for a suitable opportunity preferred remotely (Ex Database Specialist)
3 年God bless you
Construction Director Saipem
3 年So nice