People around the Arab world, especially in the United Arab Emirates were glued to their screens on Wednesday, November 27th, anticipating to hear the final results of voting which will determine the winner among rival bids from Brazil, Turkey and Russia to host the World Expo trade convention in 2020.
Many were wondering [1] why Dubai was competing for the Expo. Karl Sharro tweeted:
I don't know why Dubai wants #Expo2020 [2] every day in Dubai is an Expo.
— Karl Sharro (@KarlreMarks) November 27, 2013 [3]
He sarcastically added:
Dubai deserves to win this. It will allow it to break away from its traditional subtlety and do something outlandish for a change. #Expo2020 [2]
— Karl Sharro (@KarlreMarks) November 27, 2013 [4]
Almost everyone was betting on Dubai, knowing what the exceptional city had to offer with its Expo 2020 “Connecting Minds, Creating the Future” theme which was vivid in their video posted on YouTube.
The results of the first round of 165 votes were, Dubai 77, Russia's Ekaterinburg 39, Turkey's İzmir 33 and Brazil's São Paulo 13.
[5]First round results
Then came the results of the second round of voting, Dubai had 87 votes, Russia's Ekaterinburg got 52 and Turkey's İzmir was out.
Second round results
The results of the third and final round between Dubai and Russia's Ekaterinburg was out at 8:30 pm UAE time announcing Dubai as the ultimate winner with a tally of 116 out of 165 votes, turning win into triumph.
The UAE delegation in Paris proudly celebrated the DubaiExpo2020 [6] victory.
Pic: Moment of victory as #Expo2020 [2] hosting bid results announced in favour of #UAE [7] #Expo2020 [2] #DubaiExpo2020 [8] pic.twitter.com/JpuxztZGX0 [9]
— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) November 28, 2013 [10]
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai proudly [11] tweeted acknowledging [12] everyone who contributed the DubaiExpo 2020 success, he added:
Dubai #Expo2020 [2] will breathe new life into the ancient role of the Middle East as a melting pot for cultures and creativity
— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) November 27, 2013 [13]
The Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashed Center for Cultural Understanding (SMCCU [14]) blog post DUBAI Gets EXPO 2020 [15] highlighted what its theme meant:
Dubai’s theme Connecting Minds, Creating the Future, lies at the heart of who Dubai is. It is not a new story, but a continuing story, of a village in the desert, at a crossroads connecting peoples and cultures, exchanging not limited to material goods but ideas, cultures and philosophies. From the first Bedouin tribes to arrive in the region, to our recent migration of people from all over the globe who truly call Dubai home, our city is, through its visionary leadership a portrait of what the future can be in this region.
Celebrations were in full swing in the winning city as Dubai was announced the winner to host Expo 2020 and the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world and Dubai's landmark, was spectacularly lit up with fireworks.
Muath Al Wari proudly tweeted:
No biggie, just my hometown partying #DubaiExpo2020 [8] pic.twitter.com/6xcEVQ66WU [16]
— Muath Al Wari (@MuathAlWari) November 27, 2013 [17]
While Dubai residents celebrated the deserved victory many worried of the increase in the cost of living as a result of the Expo2020 win, as Bahraini Ammar Al Aradi tweeted:
#Expo2020 [2], 20% increase in rent, 20 extra minutes stuck in traffic per trip, 20 new Salik gates, 20 dirham increase in your salary. #Dubai [18]
— ammaro (@ammar456) November 27, 2013 [19]
The joy in the UAE was doubled by the win as it coincides with the celebrations of the 42nd National Day [20], on December 2nd.
Even Google's doodle celebrated the win!
Google celebrates the win #DubaiExpo2020 [8] pic.twitter.com/aaywc7QMi5 [21]
— Latifa MR Al Maktoum (@LatifaMRM) November 27, 2013 [22]
Every Expo is brilliant….but Dubai will certainly be the most astonishing!