The Higher Committee of Expo 2020 Dubai yesterday announced an Expo Ambassadorship Programme, which will include a series of global thought leaders and inspirers for the upcoming World Expo.

Following the recent ratification, in Paris on 25 November 2015, of the UAE as the next host of the 160-year-old global event, the Higher Committee plans to spread awareness and knowledge of the themes of Expo around the world utilising high-profile, highly regarded individuals.

Reem Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State and Board Representative of the Expo 2020 Dubai Higher Committee and Director General, outlined the reasoning behind the prospective appointments: "Our Expo themes are both significant and broad. They cover many fields of human endeavour and point the way to areas of concern and celebration. Concern for the planet, for jobs, for education and for the future; celebration of humanity's brightest achievements and of our ability to connect and work together to make things better for all."

The overarching Expo theme, Connecting Minds, Creating the Future, is expressed through three main sub-themes - Opportunity, Mobility and Sustainability - and this is where the new Expo Ambassadors will work to spread the messages worldwide. At this stage, there are eight distinct appointment categories, one each to reflect achievements in Health, Education, Science, Sport, Design, Arts & Culture, Technology and Entrepreneurial activity. Over the five years leading up to Dubai's Expo, other areas may be added to this list.

"Each Ambassador," says Reem Al Hashimy, "will spearhead a field of global excellence. Their role is to use their knowledge and voice to bring our themes to life in their everyday interactions, especially with younger members of our global family. To spread the word, to point to progress, to engage in debate, to show the importance of live mega-events when it comes to increasing understanding and adding to human interaction and knowledge."

The choice of Ambassadors within these fields will be announced over the coming months.

Al Hashimy noted that, "the Ambassadors, all recognised leaders in their fields, will bring surprise, intrigue, fun, excellence and excitement to the Event and the Journey leading up to it."

Source: WAM