The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the organisers of Expo 2020 Dubai to help coordinate links between the two entities.

The agreement was signed today at a ceremony at DCT Abu Dhabi by Ali Hassan Al Shaiba, Acting Executive Director of Marketing and Communication Sector at DCT- Abu Dhabi, and Najeeb Mohammed Al-Ali, Executive Director of the Dubai Expo 2020 Bureau.

Starting in October next year and running for 173 days, Expo 2020 will be the first ever World Expo to take place in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region. The event will see 190 countries and millions of visitors come to the UAE to experience the best of the world’s technology, architecture, cuisines, entertainment, culture and more.

The MoU seeks to coordinate the work of DCT Abu Dhabi and Dubai Expo 2020 Bureau across a number of fields to create various opportunities, including promoting the Expo and knowledge sharing.

“Expo 2020 Dubai is an unprecedented global event for the UAE and the Arab world, and so it is vitally important that all entities in the UAE are working together to play their part,” said Al Shaiba. “This agreement between DCT Abu Dhabi and Expo 2020 is a clear indication of our mandate to promote Abu Dhabi on the world stage and to support Abu Dhabi’s Economic Vision 2030, which is designed to oversee our emirate’s development path.

“The experience and knowledge this MoU will allow us to work in unison with our partners in the Expo, as well as other interested parties, giving us the opportunity to showcase how Abu Dhabi is an extraordinary destination on a global stage to millions of people.”

This MoU is considered a way to enhance and develop the relationship between the two parties, while ensuring that all key national entities are ready and prepared to host the Expo. It sets out a number of key areas in which the two entities will work together, including research and analytics; marketing, communications and PR; meetings, incentives, conferences, exhibitions (MICE) and ticketing; provision of volunteers; training content; and Expo readiness. The two parties will also form a joint working group and steering committee to manage and organise their work, and to coordinate between them and other relevant parties.

Najeeb Mohammed Al-Ali, Executive Director, Dubai Expo 2020 Bureau, said: “Expo 2020 Dubai isn’t just a once-in-a-lifetime celebration, it’s also an opportunity for the world to experience the UAE’s rich culture and warm hospitality. This MoU embodies Expo 2020’s theme of ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’ and will help our nation to welcome 190 countries to the largest event ever staged in the Arab world.”