DUBAI International Participants from across the globe and official commercial partners have shown solidarity with Expo 2020 Dubai following the agreement to explore postponing the event because of the current global health crisis. The significant impact of COVID-19 on global public, social and economic health led many countries to suggest delaying the opening of Expo 2020 Dubai until October 2021, while they focus on navigating the escalating situation. The Expo 2020 Dubai Steering Committee – comprising members of the senior leadership of Expo 2020 and World Expo governing body the Bureau International des Expositions, BIE, alongside representatives from Expo 2020’s International Participants, collectively agreed to explore with the BIE the possibility of a oneyear delay to the opening of the event, reaffirming Expo 2020’s solidarity with the international community. Shri Bidyut Behari Swain, Additional Secretary at the Department of Commerce and Commissioner General of India at Expo 2020 Dubai, said, “While we have been looking forward to showcasing the best of India alongside the rest of the world at Expo 2020, our shared values as global citizens place on us the responsibility to accord priority to safeguarding global public health as the world’s most urgent need at this time.—WAM
