EXPO 2020 postponement vote secures two-third majority

Expo 2020 Dubai will be held in 2021.

The awarding body for World Expos, Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) has announced that a two-thirds majority of member states have voted to shift the date to October 1, 2021.

His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Expo 2020 Dubai Higher Committee, welcomed the decision. 

"We welcome the decision of BIE Member States to support the delay of Expo 2020 Dubai by one year. We are thankful to Member States for their continued commitment to contributing to a World Expo in Dubai that will play a pivotal role in shaping our post-pandemic world at a time when it will be most needed."

The UAE had proposed the one-year delay in March due to the coronavirus pandemic.

.@Expo2020Dubai is gearing up to help shape a post-pandemic world. Two-third majority of Bureau International des Expositions (@bieparis) Member States vote in favour of postponing next World Expo by 1 year. It will run from 1 October 2021 to 31 March 2022https://t.co/UC9ZR6A3UN pic.twitter.com/5fOtbpf3Ux

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) May 4, 2020

Expo 2020 wins another overwhelming vote of confidence from nations around the world. More than two-thirds majority of @BIEParis Members voted in favour of postponing the next Expo by one year. #Expo2020 will now run from 1 October 2021 to 31 March 2022. https://t.co/POKRhaU9Mr pic.twitter.com/rXuvp9I328

— Expo City Dubai (@expocitydubai) May 4, 2020