Move to postpone Dubai expo backed

DUBAI: Organisers of Expo 2020 Dubai yesterday backed a proposal to postpone the event for one year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The announcement came after a meeting between officials from the UAE and foreign countries taking part in the nearly six-month-long event that was due to begin in October.

Reports earlier yesterday said the expo was due to be postponed by a year at the request of participating countries who want to focus on tackling the virus.

“Many countries have been significantly impacted by Covid-19 and they have therefore expressed a need to postpone the opening of Expo 2020 Dubai by one year, to enable them to overcome this challenge,” director general for Expo 2020 Dubai Reem Al Hashimy said.

An estimated 11 million overseas visitors were expected to attend the showpiece of culture, business and technology featuring pavilions from 192 countries.

A final decision will be made in June by member states of the Paris-based Bureau International des Expositions, which awards the event.

Source: http://www.gdnonline.com/Details/788408/Move-to-postpone-Dubai-expo-backed