Mohammed bin Rashid issues decree setting up Expo 2020 preparatory committee

Dubai: In his capacity as Ruler of Dubai, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has issued Decree No (49) of 2013 on the formation of "Expo 2020 Preparatory Committee" under supervision of Dubai Crown Prince and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Sheikh Mohammed's decree is the starting step of Dubai's practical preparations to host the world's largest and most prestigious exhibition and the events and activities accompanying it. Pursuant to the Decree, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Department of Civil Aviation and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, is assigned chairman of the committee and Mohammed Ibrahim Al Shaibani, Director General of His Highness the Ruler's Court as vice chairman. Further, the committee is composed of Minister of State, Reem Al Hashimy, Chief Commander of Dubai Police Major General Khamis Mattar Al Mazeina, Director General of Dubai Municipality Hussain Nasser Lootah, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of Road and Transport Authority, Mattar Al Tayer, Executive Chairman of Dubai Aviation City Corporation, Khalifa Al Zaffin and Director General of Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing and CEO of Dubai World Trade Centre Helal Saeed Al Marri. The Committee will set the required strategic plans to organise and prepare for hosting Expo 2020 and will also evaluate the suitability and efficiency of Dubai's infrastructure, including touristic, medical and transport facilities. The committee will also determine the emirate's technical, security and economic requirements to present the international event in the best ways possible. Additionally, the committee will organise and coordinate efforts between various public and private entities, inside and outside Dubai, in all aspects related to Expo 2020. The committee's specialty also includes defining the programmes, activities and events that will be held on the sideline of Expo 2020, supervising advertising campaigns locally, regionally and internationally to promote the exhibition, supervising the promotion campaigns for the events taking place during the exhibition and coordinate efforts with the organisations specialised in this field. The committee will submit its reports periodically to His Highness the Ruler of Dubai to brief him on the progress and outcomes of its efforts, in addition to any suggestions, to insure the success of the exhibition. The decree asserted on the importance of full cooperation and coordination between all Dubai Government's bodies to attain the objectives of the committee. Article (9) of the decree abrogate Decree No (2) of 2012 on the formation of Expo 2020 preparatory committee and its attached amendments; moreover, the new decree nullifies any other law or legislation that contradicts and/or challenge the rules and regulations prescribed in Decree No (49) of 2014. This decree is effective from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette. - Emirates News Agency, WAM