What everybody should know about the World Expo
By Saif Alam Siddiqui
Everyone is talking about Expo 2020 Dubai, Connecting Minds, Creating the Future, is the theme for the expo, it’s the most anticipated event of the century and first in the history of the Middle East. let us glimpse in the history of World Expo, actually, it’s the gateway to opportunities for over one and half-century World Expos have engaged in helping the world in making the change. It promotes Education, Innovation and Cooperation and open doors to opportunities by bypassing economic slowdown.
About one and half-century ago in the year, 1851 history was written, the first World Expo was held in London. The British government have invited various countries to participate, about ten countries accepted the invitation. Over 18,000 merchants exhibited about 100,000 products, including machinery, new materials, and so on, the advanced technological achievements of the participating nations were extensively exhibited at the expo as industrial products. The 1851 expo was of epoch-making significance. Firstly, it clearly showed that the birth of the World Expo in brode sense and it created an unprecedented forum for global exchange. Secondly, it opened the way for showcasing leading industrial and technological achievements from all around the world
After conducting several successful expos, Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), was formed by 31 member countries in 1928 its headquarter is in Paris, after getting overwhelming response globally it has grown to 170 members state. The Members always strive to continually improve the quality of Expos, under its umbrella world Expos, Specialized Expos, Horticultural Expos, Exhibitions are organized Its aim is to preserve the core values of Education, innovation and cooperation by protecting the rights of the organizers and participants which leads to quality and success of the events. BIE nominate host countries for future Expos, provide host countries with event management solutions and branding with public diplomacy expertise regulating the organization of the event and making sure the host country and all participants respect the Convention of the BIE and the rules of the Expo.
Let us see the trends of Expo how it changes from centuries. The earlier Expos were strongly influenced by the industrial revolution and the colonial ambition of that time. Material progress based on technological innovation was the core theme of the exhibitions. The First and the Second World Wars completely modified the idea of technology as a source of progress, technology could be destructive and its use should be placed under social and political responsibility. Considering this core value, the 1958 Brussels Expo was the first expo held after World War II. Amidst the rubble of the war, not only did people have to rebuild their homelands, but they also had to rebuild their trust in progress. The theme of this Expo symbolizes safe and peaceful use of atomic energy. The theme of this Expo was Scientific Civilization and Humanism. In subsequent expos, there was great variety and diversification. Japan hosted 1970 World Expo The Osaka Expo attracted the participation of 76 countries, with visitorship exceeding 64 million, the largest ever in the history of the World Expo. In the expos of the 1980s and 1990s, the theme was mainly based on horticulture energy and water resources.
The 1998 International Exposition on Leisure, held in Brisbane, Australia was the most creative theme and moved ahead from the trend. The 1999 Kunming World Horticulture Expo of China took the expo to another level. During the latter half of the 20th century, as people were rebuilding their homelands, restoring development, and facing new challenges, the expos all reflected upon nature from different perspectives.
Since the year 2000, Expos have taken on a significant role of raising awareness on the importance of sustainable development and addressing the crucial challenges. Expo 2000 Hannover Germany, promoted sustainable development. Expo 2005 Aichi Japan, aimed at demonstrating that there was a clear competitive advantage in designing technology in harmony with nature. Expo 2010 Shanghai was another milestone, as it showcased solutions for sustainable urban development. Expo 2012 Yeosu Korea has received a positive reaction for addressing global issues like climate change and the protection of the ocean through story-telling events
Expo 2015 hosted by Milan, Italy, its theme was Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life, encompassing technology, innovation, culture, traditions and creativity and how they relate to food and diet.
Astana, Kazakhstan held the most recent Specialised Expo, The Expo 2017 subtitle was “Solutions for Tackling Humankind’s Greatest Challenge.” Therefore, the Expo showcased future energy solutions tackling social, economic and environmental challenges.
By providing a unique space for discussion and cooperation, Expos aim at being efficient instruments of progress in all areas linked to sustainable and human development such as the environment, energy, health or education.
In 2013 the BIE general assembly in Paris awarded Dubai to host Expo 2020, which is scheduled next year from October 2020 to April 2021. will be having 438 hectares of the exhibit area and 192 counties confirmed their participation till date.
Buenos Aires, Argentina has been selected to host Specialised Expo 2023. Osaka, Japan has been selected to host World Expo 2025.
The World Expo is beyond the Internation event. It is a global gallery where countries from all over the world come together to discuss international issues and future developmental trends. All expo activities are of the international theme.
The World Expo has played an indisputably crucial role in bringing the world on one platform to face challenges and making the world a global village in its true sense, it also facilitates in globalizing culture and the exhibition industry.