Dubai Expo 2020 will be a platform for connectivity to help pioneer new partnerships for growth and sustainability: Reem Al Hashimi

Dubai, March 29, 2012 (WAM) - In the frame work to boost interaction with the government officials and members of diplomatic corps, Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) organised an expanded meeting with ambassadors and consuls general accredited to the UAE last Tuesday at Park Hyatt Dubai. The Diplomatic Circle Dinner was attended by Reem Ibrahim Al Hashimi, Minister of State and Managing Director of Dubai Expo 2020 Executive Bid Committee, and over 60 diplomats. Hamad Buamim, the Director General of DCCI and a number of members of Board of Directors, welcomed the attendees. In her keynote address, Al Hashimi highlighted efforts of the diplomatic corps and trade missions in the UAE for enhancing cooperation and partnerships between the UAE and their respective countries. Sheikh lauded the role the DCCI and other chambers of commerce play in this respect. Full text of Al Hashimi's keynote address : Members of the Diplomatic Corps, both stationed in Abu Dhabi and Dubai; Esteemed members of the Ministry of Foreign Trade; Members of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Fujairah Chamber; Friends and Colleagues, Ladies and Gentlemen; Good Evening I am truly pleased to be amongst so many friends and to see many familiar faces. Thank you for this opportunity to describe to you the UAE's commitment to hosting the World Expo in 2020. We believe that successful World Expos add meaning and value to society. In fact, cities are often never the same after such a momentous 6 month endeavour takes place. Many of you in the audience have either visited World Expos, or are from countries that have either hosted or competed for this prestigious event - and therefore, you understand all too well the value that World Expos can bring to the society and by extension to the region. Since its first Great Exhibition in London over 160 years ago, the World Expo has encouraged innovation, has fostered cultural diversity and has facilitated the sharing of knowledge. Whether it was "The Elevator" in Dublin, the "Telephone" in Philadelphia, or the "Green Building Techniques" in Aichi, World Expos have introduced many "firsts" of products and services to large audiences that set a new stage to the industry, and markedly change our daily lives. Expositions are the platforms where state-of-the-art science and technology from around the world is brought together. Ideas are planted, tested, experimented and a global dialogue begins to take shape and influence future trends. This ability to connect countries and peoples, ideas with opportunities and problems with solutions has been the reason for the Expos' continued relevance, popularity and success. But the success of the Expo is ultimately dependent on the willingness and desire of the host country to be ambitious about deliverables, bold about its aspirations, and determined to see it through all the way. These attributes, to those of you who know the UAE, are intrinsic to our leadership. In fact, the UAE's success has been built on an unwavering determination to create something positive in the region, for the region - this World Expo would be yet another manifestation of this noble premise. If we were to win the nomination, it would be the first time that a World Expo visits the Arab World, the African Continent and Southeast Asia. And indeed Dubai Expo 2020 is one for the World - because, just as our emirate is home to some 200 nationalities, so our Expo would be, we believe, visited by people from all corners of the world who already, today, either visit us or connect through us. This part of the world is not only an emerging market, but its demographic is primarily young. The youth play a significant role in determining the fabric of the society, in all its aspects - political, cultural, and certainly commercial. Integrating such ideas and thoughts, and connecting with one another is a central element defining the prosperity of any society. There is a deep recognition in the UAE that while a single human mind, an individual country, or a specific community is both unique and remarkable, it is by coming together and strengthening connections that we can truly advance. As we face ever more complex challenges, which now go beyond national boundaries, these links have never been more important. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and the Ruler of Dubai, has said: "Connected thinking is the best hope for progress and for successful and peaceful existence in the generations to come." And it is these connections - between people, nations, and ideas - that have created Dubai itself. Whether a small village earlier this century, or the bustling metropolis it is today, Dubai is a manifestation of a series of connections and connectivity. All of you here know Dubai - and know its value proposition. You know that our airports are one of the busiest in the world, with almost 50 million passengers coming last year in Dubai airport alone. You know the impeccable service and reach of Emirates Airlines - a true national champion company that has brought Dubai closer to hundreds of cities worldwide. And you know also, the role that Dubai Ports World has played in the infrastructure, logistics and trade sector of Dubai and the UAE - almost 100 containers dock into the port every sixty seconds. And because you know all this - and you've seen it, and felt it, and even experienced it first hand - you also know that this is only the start. For we are a nation, only 40 years of age - the resilience of our forefathers and the challenges that they bore still remain fresh and clear in this nation's memory. They dared to believe - and here we are, in that same and similar spirit, wanting to create an expo not only for the UAE, but for the region as a whole . And in line with this historical genesis, we have decided on a theme that best represents our societal fabric and future aspirations. "Connecting Minds........... Creating the Future". We feel that this motif resonates very strongly not only with us, but with many in the hall here today. As the world today reassesses its economic, political and environmental paradigm, we are confronted with unprecedented challenges. The growing complexity of our increasingly interconnected societies is forcing us to rethink our frameworks for growth and development and to gain a new understanding of the impacts of our decisions. Whether it is the global financial crisis, food security, transnational threats, fighting poverty, aid programs, unemployment or social upheavals, unless we maintain a strong cooperative and connecting approach to addressing such challenges, we will not be able to find solutions to the complex global ailments that afflict us. In this era of intense globalisation, when our fates are invariably intertwined, it is only through a vision of connectivity based on shared purpose and commitment that progress can be made. The founding father of the United Arab Emirates, the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan had said wisely: "Future generations will be living in a world that is very different from that to which we are accustomed. It is essential that we prepare ourselves and our children for that new world." To realise this aspiration, the Dubai Expo 2020 will be a platform for connectivity to help pioneer new partnerships for growth and sustainability for the future. Dubai Expo 2020 will seek-out and attract forward thinkers and innovators to showcase great achievements, to promote new ideas and to share roadmaps for progress through customised exhibitions, pavilions and events. All members of the diplomatic corps today - we view your countries as partners and participants in this national exercise. HH Sheikh Abdulla bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Foreign Minister, is reaching out to his colleagues from your respective states asking for your support. Other ministers, such as Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, UAE Minister of Foreign Trade, are also a key voice in this effort. For us to be successful, we need to engage with you and involve you in our process. We need to understand the successes and challenges of past Expos, and integrate the business community, entrepreneurs, artists, multilateral institutions (and even politicians) into the dialogue. Dubai is a destination for millions - who either visit, or who live here. We want our Expo to hold true to the Dubai spirit, and make it your expo too. My offices remain open to you and your thoughts .. Join us in making Dubai Expo 2020 a historic and meaningful journey and an experience we can all take pride in. Hashimi then engaged with the diplomatic corps in a dialogue on the UAE file to host the international event. The diplomats affirmed their preparedness to support the UAE bid and hailed Dubai's potentials to host World EXPO 2020 given its outstanding potentials and its international prestigious reputation. Speaking to the gathering, DCCI Director General Hamad Buamim, said that meeting with the consuls general provides an ideal platform for interaction with the official representatives of the countries to build a network of distinguished relations with the private sector that Dubai Chamber represents and the diplomatic corps. He assured that Dubai is projected to achieve increasing growth rates in all sectors and fields in 2012 following a successful year of recovery and leadership year 2011 where the Dubai succeeded in achieving leadership in key growth sectors mainly trade, financial, logistics and tourist services for their role in leading growth. He indicated that Dubai ranked ninth among the world's top 20 most leading and dynamic cities in terms of tourist arrivals, 18th among the top world's 20 destinations by visitor expenditures and the ninth out of ten destinations for the most popular for business. This, he affirmed, reflects the high position Dubai holds on the international economic scene. He added that trade sector is still registering record growth rate during the current period, where exports and re-exports of Dubai Chamber members grew 12 % in February 2012 in comparison to the same period last year, rising from Dh17.6 billion in February 2011 to Dh19.7 in February 2012 whereas certificates of origins issued by the Chamber last February surged 13% in comparison of February 2011. He also referred that the competitive merits that Dubai enjoys helped to boost Dubai's international reputation in the field of finance and business in particular after more than 50 million passengers passed through Dubai International Airport in 2011. He added that the official presentation for hosting EXPO 2020 reflects the wise and future vision of our leaderships towards the business environment to it development. He said: ''the bid for hosting this international exhibition underlines our government's commitment represented by Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to support business community to make Dubai the first business hub in the region. He considered that applying ATA Carnet (Temporary admission goods) has given a big push to attract more exhibitions and conventions to the UAE since it represents an important factor for business sector. . He added that the Chamber will make use its wide international network of relations to promote Dubai's hosting of EXPO 2020 and showcase Dubai's competitive edges in this field in all domains. He added that the chamber is committed to secure all facilities and potentials to guarantee that Dubai would have the honour to host the international event. - Emirates News Agency, WAM