Volunteers ready to welcome the world at Expo
DUBAI: Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence and Commissioner-general of Expo 2020 Dubai, has praised the 30,000 volunteers who will help deliver an exceptional World Expo as Dubai welcomes the world from Oct.1, 2021 to March 31, 2022.
Expo 2020 Volunteers have completed more than 40,000 hours of training to date, demonstrating their preparedness for the first event of its kind in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region. Training will continue through the coming months to prepare future volunteers for their roles.
Thousands of volunteers also atended the high-energy Expo 2020 Orientation Experience at Dubai Exhibition Centre, Expo 2020 Dubai, one of 13 identical sessions designed to inform and inspire, while adhering to strict COVID-19 safety measures.
Sheikh Nahayan said, “Expo 2020 Dubai coincides with the UAE’S Golden Jubilee celebrations, and I am humbled to recognise that the Expo 2020 Volunteers share a common set of values that mirror the principles on which our nation has thrived. They are from diverse nationalities, backgrounds and age groups, and will travel from all seven emirates to join us as we welcome the world in a spirit of compassion, collaboration and optimism for the future.
“We are now less than one month away, and the commitment of the Expo 2020 Volunteers has never wavered, even when faced the challenge of a pandemic. We are grateful for their passion and dedication,rootedinanunderstandingofwhatexpo 2020 is capable of achieving. With their support, Expo 2020 is ready to fulfil its mission of creating a beter future for people and planet, in the UAE and across the globe.”
Expo 2020 Volunteers range from university students and employees to National Service cadets, homemakers and retirees, as well as people of determination. UAE Nationals form 45 per cent of the volunteers, which together represent 135-plus nationalities and range from 18 to 79 years of age. They will all play a crucial role in managing the vast number of diverse experiences, events and global discussions taking place daily at Expo 2020.
Emirativolunteerkenanabdulghani,28,explained that he joined the Expo Volunteers with a desire to give back to the country that has given so much to him, “As soon as I had the opportunity, I did not hesitate and joined the Expo [2020] Volunteers. It is a great honour for me to represent the UAE in this global plaform. I am very much looking forward to the opening of Expo 2020 Dubai and to working with my team at the Country Pavilions to learn about the cultures of more than 190 countries, as well as their customs and traditions.”