Expo 2020 Dubai this week launches its search for more than 30,000 volunteers who will be the ‘face’ of the largest global gathering ever to be staged in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia.

Expo 2020 promises to be a transformative and lasting landmark in the history of the UAE, as well as the wider region. The volunteers will play a crucial role in Expo, building on the UAE’s global tradition of hospitality by welcoming up to 25 million visits during the six-month event. Of these, 70 percent are expected to come from outside the UAE, an unprecedented proportion in the 166-year history of World Expos.

The registration portal to join the Expo 2020 Dubai Volunteers Programme will launch on 20th October at an event to celebrate the 'Three Years To Go' mark, held at The Beach, JBR.

The registration portal will be run in collaboration with the Ministry of Community Development and Emirates Foundation.

While the doors open on 20th October 2020, preparations for Expo are already well underway, and UAE-based adult volunteers of all ages, nationalities and backgrounds have the opportunity to be involved in the journey. Volunteers can participate in Expo events leading up to 2020, as well as brainstorming sessions that could see their ideas included in the plans, in line with Expo 2020’s central theme, ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’.

During Expo, there will be more than 45 volunteering roles, from welcoming guests and guiding them around the Expo districts to managing events, with more than 16 million volunteering hours across 173 days. Volunteers will gain unrivalled hands-on experience, exposure and work-ready skills as they help to put on one of the world’s largest events.

Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation and Director General of Expo 2020 Dubai Bureau, said, "Expo 2020 is a global event for everyone to learn, innovate, create, and have fun by sharing ideas and working together and we are proud to include opportunities for more than 30,000 volunteers from any age, nationality or background, reflecting the diversity of our Expo and our nation.

"Youth are at the core of Expo 2020 and volunteering with us will be an incredible opportunity for them. We already have many on board, and they have had the exciting opportunity to represent Expo 2020 and the UAE at Expos in Astana and Milan, as well as events held in Dubai, such as the launch of District 2020 at Cityscape," she added.

"We have created strategic roles to ensure volunteers get the best out of their experience, including skills that they can go on to use in the workplace or their daily lives. They will be ‘face’ of the event since most of our visitors will have an initial contact to Expo through meeting a volunteer.

"We look forward to welcoming anyone who wants to connect with fellow volunteers from around the world and gain an experience of a lifetime," Al Hashimy continued.

Commenting on the announcement, Najla bint Mohammed Al Awar, Minister of Community Development, said, "We believe a solid foundation for a nation is a society that understands the value of giving. Volunteering plays an important role in the UAE’s Vision 2021 as we strive towards a cohesive and inclusive society. This national Expo 2020 Volunteer Programme will provide opportunities to thousands of UAE citizens and residents from a wide variety of countries and backgrounds to act as ambassadors for the UAE, showcasing to the world our vibrant nation while strengthening partnerships and enabling social development."

Maytha Al Habsi, Deputy CEO, Emirates Foundation, said, "Young people are at the heart of the UAE’s future, and at Emirates Foundation we aim to provide them with meaningful opportunities to volunteer and engage in public service.

"Expo 2020 is an exceptional platform for young people, and Emirates Foundation is thrilled to play a key role in the event, through managing Volunteers.ae platform and harnessing its decade-long successful experience in volunteerism, to attract and select qualified volunteers. Those volunteers will be trained, empowered, and mobilised to work hand in hand with the Expo 2020 team on organisational, management and execution plans to ensure the delivery of a successful event".

Najeeb Mohammed Al-Ali, Executive Director of Expo 2020 Dubai Bureau, added, "Volunteers will play a crucial role in ensuring a successful Expo 2020 Dubai, and we have created meaningful tasks that will lead to work-ready skills, as well as an exceptional experience that will remain with volunteers for life.

"We look forward to welcoming all nationals and residents in the UAE to our Expo 2020 Volunteers community. Following the launch of the registration portal, we will focus on attracting various groups of society, including university students, homemakers, retirees, employees and people of determination. There will be opportunities for everyone, in line with Expo 2020’s theme to ‘Connect Minds, Create the Future’," he concluded.