The BIE Enquiry Mission lead by the President of the Executive Committee Mr Steen Christensen visited UAE from February 24 to 28 with the aim of evaluating the Expo-2020 Dubai’s project.

First of all the working program of the BIE delegation included a series of meetings the Enquiry Dossier organized by Dubai Expo Higher Committee. Official and technical visits (Municipality of Dubai, Zayed University, Expo site, Dubai Port and Airport) helped the enquiry mission to understand the feasibility of Dubai Expo 2020 project, its strategy and its possible legacy. Meetings with UAE and Dubai authorities were crucial points of the agenda.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai with the President of the BIE Executive Committee Mr Steen Christensen

The BIE Enquiry Mission visited Turkey from February 10 to 15 to study the Expo 2020 Izmir project.

Several technical sessions dedicated to the main Enquiry Dossier subjects were combined with the visit of the proposed Expo site and meetings with representatives of NGOs, Union Leaders and business community, Presidents of İzmir Universities, Cultural Figures.

The last day of the mission was completely dedicated to high-level political meetings in Ankara. The President of the Republic of Turkey, Mr. Abdullah Gül, the Prime Minister, Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the Minister of Maritime Affairs, Communication and Transportation, Mr. Binali Yildirim, received the members of the BIE Enquiry Mission. The opposition leaders and National Members of the Parliament also met the BIE delegation.

The visit to Thailand by the BIE Enquiry Mission took place from 28 January to 1 February with the aim of evaluating the feasibility of Expo-2020 Ayutthaya’s project.

The program of the BIE delegates’ team lead by the Chairman of the Executive Committee Mr Steen Christensen included meetings with senior government officials, representatives of the opposition party, the business sector, and civil society groups. In order to respond to the delegation’s questions related to 14 issues identified in Thailand’s Preliminary Enquiry Dossier 5 sessions with the experts of Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), responsible for the candidacy of Ayutthaya, were organized. One of the key points of the agenda was the meeting with the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand Ms Yingluck Shinawatra.

The BIE Delegation received by the Prime Minister of Thailand, Ms Yingluck Shinawatra.

The n° 20 of Progression, the BIE Newsletter, presents the " BIE MultiMedia Exhibition and Training Centre", located in Paris, Avenue des Champs Elysées, jointly created by the BIE and Crystal CG. This new site is dedicated in the promotion of the history of international exhibitions and will be used as a research and training Centre.