Several world leaders and dignitaries who attended the Dubai Expo 2020 have hailed the mega event as “a beacon for global optimism” and “an incredible accomplishment”, local media reports said.
According to the reports, Amina Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, said: “At a time when there is a dark cloud, you have presented a real vision for what we can do to recover better, for how the world can look beyond the UAE – beyond your neighborhood – into this global community.”
Emmanuel Macron, President of France, said: “I want to congratulate the UAE for this Expo, because at a time when we see COVID-19, and so many threats and issues, organizing the Expo here and making it a success is good for your country.”
Dato Lim Jock Hoi, Secretary-General, ASEAN, said: “I congratulate the United Arab Emirates for successfully convening the global community together here in Dubai.”
He added: “By bringing the world together during this most challenging of times, the UAE demonstrates its leadership as a driving force for global cooperation and unity which is true to the theme of the World Expo 2020 of ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’.”
The visiting dignitaries highlighted its “vision” and said that the event provided the world with “hope and a sense of dignity” and a “ray of light”.
The Expo will host the first Global Goals Week to be held outside of the United Nations in New York from 15th-22nd January – bringing to life the Sustainable Development Goals, as the push continues apace to create a better, fairer and more just world by 2030, the reports said.
It will be the seventh Theme Week held under Expo’s flagship Program for People and Planet, helping to drive positive action and global collaboration, and embodying Expo’s theme, the reports said.