His Majesty Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, orchestrated the sixth International Participants Meeting (IPM) of Expo 2020 Dubai on Tuesday, the final assembly of countries, multilateral organizations, educational institutions, and businesses before the event's October opening.

"Dubai presently invited representatives from 173 countries and 24 foreign organizations at the final International Participants Meeting before Expo 2020 Dubai commences in October," Sheikh Mohammed said. The country is regaining its footing, and we are prepared to invite 190 countries to the World's Greatest Event."

Following the success of the UAE's efforts to combat the global health pandemic, the IPM invited over 370 delegates from around the world, showing that Dubai is officially open for business and equipped to host the world.

The attendees assembled physically at the Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC), Expo 2020 Dubai – the first gathering to be organized at the world-class, multipurpose venue – representing 173 of the Expo's 190-plus participating countries and 24 participating companies.

The Chairman of the Expo 2020 Dubai Higher Committee, Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, stated: "Today, people have traveled from all over the world to join us at Expo 2020 Dubai, to express our enthusiasm and to see firsthand our advanced state of readiness.

"We are thankful for our leadership's direction and confidence, which has prioritized the welfare and well-being of all UAE residents, staff, and tourists through scientific, fact-based health and safety initiatives.

"This would not have been possible without the ongoing dedication and excitement of every one of our 200-plus members who have stood by our side every step along the way."

As we near the end of our journey to deliver an Expo that encourages, enlightens, and awes, our message is simple: "We are prepared to welcome the world." Representatives will receive the most recent reports on crucial issues related to the six-month global summit, which will take place on the 4th and 5th of May – one of the very first mega-events to happen internationally since the onset of the pandemic.

This includes logistics, defense, city readiness, marketing and communications, and programming, and the rigorous steps being implemented to guarantee the health and well-being of Expo's staff, attendees, and tourists, in sync with the UAE's broader efforts.

"World Expos presents us with a global forum for new multilateralism, putting together nations, foreign organizations, companies, NGOs, scholars, and individuals, so everyone can play a part in developing solutions and addressing challenges," said Dimitri S. Kerkentzes, Secretary-General of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE).

"For tens of millions of people in the UAE, the Middle East, and around the globe, Expo 2020 Dubai would be an opportunity for the world to join together, to genuinely engage with universally important issues, and to develop creative solutions to our global issues." We will build a better future in Dubai by linking minds."

The first World Expo to be hosted in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia (MEASA) area would take place from 1 October 2021 to 31 March 2022, coupled with the UAE's 50th anniversary. It welcomes travelers from all over the world to participate in the creation of a modern world by discovering life-changing technologies which will have a profound, positive effect on both people and the planet.