Middle East’s first Expo to open in Dubai under shadow of pandemic

But diplomats from five different countries said they had revised down their national pavilions’ visitor targets. James Swanston, an economist at Capital Economics, said the continuing obstacles to foreign travel meant the economic boost was likely to fall short of projections.

A spokesperson said the number of tickets sold was commercially sensitive, but that the Expo was “delighted” with sales so far.

Many events will be streamed live online.

Dubai says it wants the Expo, an exhibition of culture, technology and architecture under the banner ‘Connecting Minds and Creating the Future’, to be a demonstration of ingenuity, and a place where issues such as climate change, conflict and economic growth can be addressed together.

But its biggest role is still as a forum for trade.

“All major trading countries and powers plan to use Expo to refocus and to redefine their position in the world market,” said France’s Expo commissioner-general, Erik Linquier.

The event is not without critics, though.

The European Parliament last week urged member states and companies to boycott the Expo in disapproval of the UAE’s human rights record, alleging “systematic persecution of human rights defenders, journalists, lawyers and teachers speaking up on political and human rights issues in the UAE” and pervasive “inhumane practices” inflicted on many of the migrant workers that the UAE relies on.

The UAE rejected the resolution and said that its laws enshrine fair treatment for all.

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