The coronavirus has put a dampener on global conferences and events, especially in a year that is expected to host what has been showcased as the planet’s biggest show. Currently (at the time of going to press), plans continue to be on track (see box-out) for Expo 2020 Dubai, due to start from October 20 for six months in the glistening city of Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
For the first time in the near 170-year history of World Expos, all countries in Africa are expected to participate at the event.
For the first time, the African Union (AU) is also expected to host a pavilion, devoid of national borders, at the expo, to increase the decibel on the continent’s policies for potential and progress to millions of visitors expected to descend from around the world.
To strengthen the almost 50-year partnership with Africa, in February, a UAE Consortium for Africa was launched, with the UAE committing to invest $500 million– in a consolidation of government and private resources – into the continent. A primary focus of the consortium will be digitization and developing the youth in Africa.
This story is from the April 2020 edition of Forbes Africa.
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This story is from the April 2020 edition of Forbes Africa.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
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