expo 2020 dubai: UAE government proposes new dates for world expo

in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the government of the united arab emirates has proposed new dates for expo 2020 dubai. the global event, which is expected to attract over 10 million foreign visitors, remains scheduled to start on october 20, 2020 before closing on april 10, 2021. however, in light of recent global events, UAE officials have suggested postponing the event for 12 months.

see designboom’s ongoing coverage of expo 2020 here
image courtesy of expo 2020 dubai

the UAE government formally requested that expo 2020 dubai be rescheduled for 2021, beginning october 1, 2021 and running until march 31, 2022. the bureau international des expositions, the intergovernmental organization in charge of overseeing and regulating world expos, has agreed to consider the change of dates and has confirmed that a decision will be made by the executive committee meeting on april 21, 2020.

santiago calatrava has designed the UAE pavilion for the event | more on designboom here
image courtesy of WAM

expo 2020 dubai will feature pavilions and designs by some of the world’s most recognized architects and firms including santiago calatrava and foster + partners. the news of the potential postponement follows the announcement that the 2020 olympic games will also take place a year later in 2021. other major events such as milan design week and NYCxDESIGN have been cancelled, while the 2020 venice architecture biennale currently remains scheduled to begin on august 29, 2020.

asif khan has designed the venue’s ‘entry portals’ | more on designboom here
image by hélène binet