- HH Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum chairs City Readiness Committee meet
- High-level committee briefed on the city readiness plans of various agencies
- DHA and Dubai Ambulance present detailed plans to ensure safe, healthy Expo
DUBAI, 24 September, 2019 – His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Expo 2020 Dubai Higher Committee, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports and CEO and Chairman of the Emirates Group, has chaired the fourth City Readiness Committee for hosting Expo 2020 Dubai, which heard the latest updates on preparations to host the world’s greatest show in less than 400 days.
The meeting was attended by committee members: Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation and Director General of Expo 2020 Dubai; His Excellency Major General Abdullah Khalifa Al Merri, Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police; His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA); His Excellency Helal Saeed Al Marri, Director General of Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM); His Excellency Dawood Al Hajiri, Director General of Dubai Municipality; His Excellency Khalifa Al Zaffin, Executive Chairman, Dubai Aviation City Corporation.
The City Readiness Committee is overseeing the coordination of dozens of local and federal entities, ensuring that Dubai and the UAE are ready to welcome millions of visitors to the next World Expo from 20 October 2020.
Several agencies presented updates on their readiness plans, including significant updates on major RTA projects, including new roads and the Dubai Metro extension.
The committee also heard from Dubai Civil Defense and discussed the preparedness of Dubai Health Authority and Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services, including event time emergency plans.
Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum said: “All relevant stakeholders briefed us in detail about their readiness plans to welcome the world in October 2020, and to host an exceptional World Expo. The implementation of these plans are in advanced stages and we have already seen this tangible progress at the Expo 2020 site.”
Colonel Expert Ali Hassan Almutawa, Assistant Director for Fire and Rescue, Dubai Civil Defense (DCD), presented to the committee the new Expo 2020 Civil Defence Centre. He said: “The Expo 2020 Civil Defence Centre is a world-class centre, equipped with state-of-the-art technology and operational capabilities for various emergencies. It uses the best artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to ensure the security and safety of all visitors, participants, workers and Expo 2020 facilities.
“All facilities on the Expo 2020 site are connected to the DCD emergency room at the centre, to minimise the wait time for response and ensure the best safety and prevention practices at Expo 2020 Dubai. These measures aim to ensure all facilities and events before, during and after Expo 2020 are safe and ready, further promoting the global position of the UAE and Dubai.”
Dr Younes Kazim, CEO of Dubai Healthcare Corporation, Dubai Health Authority (DHA), also presented to the committee, highlighting the services DHA is already deploying at Expo 2020, including a state-of-the-art emergency aid centre, and detailing future plans, as well as cooperation efforts with other government entities and private healthcare providers to ensure a safe and healthy environment.
Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services (Dubai Ambulance), represented by Khalifa Aldari, Executive Director, and Mishal Julfar, Acting Director of Ambulance Operations, reaffirmed its commitment to providing Expo 2020 with world-class emergency services. Dubai Ambulance has signed 30 agreements with more than 30 private hospitals, as well as agreements with Abu Dhabi Police and National Ambulance, as part of its preparations.
Dubai Ambulance told the committee it intends to buy 200 automated external defibrillator (AED) devices, which will be placed in key locations across the Expo 2020 site, and would provide training for its staff. Fourteen emergency points would be monitored by qualified health workers to ensure a timely response in case of a health emergency.
Dubai Ambulance is also recruiting and training volunteer emergency medical responders and presented to the committee the specially-developed mobile app, As’efni, that is being used to support this.
Next month will mark One Year To Go until Expo 2020 welcomes the world to the UAE for the world’s greatest show of human brilliance and achievement. With more than 200 international participants, including 192 countries, Expo 2020 expects to record 25 million visits during its six months, from 20 October 2020 to 10 April 2021.