The organisers of the Expo 2020 Dubai, UAE, want to postpone for a year the massive event due to the CoViD-19 outbreak globally, but at least two thirds of the expo member states will have to agree. There are 192 countries involved in the Expo that was due to start in October 2020 and run for six months until April 2021.

Expo 2020 Dubai announced today, that many countries that are significantly impacted by CoViD-19 have expressed a need to postpone the Expo’s opening by one year, while they focus on overcoming this challenge.

“We remain firm in our collective aim to deliver an Expo that is true to its time and to our shared, urgent priorities. But it is clear that this is not the right time.

“In a spirit of solidarity and unity, we support the proposal to explore a one-year postponement made by the Steering Committee meeting,” they stated.

However, to change the dates, the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) will work with its Member States and Expo 2020 Dubai.

It needs two-thirds majority vote from its Member States to change the dates and a final decision on the postponement can only be made by the BIE’s General Assembly.

“This is not a cancellation, but we must also play our part in keeping everybody involved healthy and well.” stated Expo 2020 Dubai.

The expo expects 25 million visitors with 70 percent attending from outside the UAE. This is the first World Expo to be held in the Middle East Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region, with 192 countries taking part.