KEY CONCLUSIONS
The high-tech future is setting the pace for rapid and total digitalization, but offline communication is still relevant
“The future of what is called physical and digital or phygital combines both of these experiences – online and offline. We think that the harmonious combination of these formats will allow us to experience these events even better. We do not need to demonize technology; at the same time, we should not think that there is one recipe for all situations. Both in the Dubai Expo and in other formats, we should strive to put technology at the service of our new and interesting experiences,” Reem Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation of the United Arab Emirates; Director General, Expo 2020 Dubai.
“I am confident that most of these events [major global exhibitions, – Ed.] will be held in a hybrid format, with the possibility of live communication at different venues and a simultaneous digital twin. It will mean that everyone does not have to come, but they will still be able to participate in any event in a hybrid digital format. Well, except the footballers on the field,” Arkady Dvorkovich, Chairman, Skolkovo Foundation.
“Families may be started online. Demographic issues may be resolved online but it just will not be interesting. This is why I hope that it will be wrong to replace live communication,” Denis Manturov, Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation.
Expo 2030 will be the point of reckoning with the past decade
“Over a fairly long period of time, EXPO offers a chance to sum up what has been done over five years, present it to the rest of the world, share best practices, watch and learn from others. By the way, 2030 is the time to sum up a whole decade. Now, almost all strategies and political programmes cover the period until 2030. Everything from environmental goals to educational ones and infrastructural projects covers is scheduled until 2030. This is why I believe EXPO will be the point for the whole world to sum up the decade,” Arkady Dvorkovich, Chairman, Skolkovo Foundation.
“World expos is an important format, which allows for 17 sustainable development goals to be achieved, or at least we can make a certain progress in this department. These goals are set until 2030. There is less than 10 years left. We need platforms, we need tools to achieve these goals. We need to have the opportunity to assess how much closer we are getting to them,” Rania Almashat, Minister of International Cooperation of the Arab Republic of Egypt.
“I do hope that by 2030 we will forget what a face mask is,” Denis Manturov, Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation.
PROBLEMS
Exposure to pandemic coronavirus and new biological challenges
“The world has changed, much like our today’s and tomorrow’s perceptions of what we will have to go through. <…> It taught us that we have to think about biological safety in the future. If it is not COVID-19 or, God forbid, something similar appears, we need to be scientifically, technically, technologically, and industrially prepared to battle any type of biological activity in nature,” Denis Manturov, Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation.
“The pandemic has shown that people can cooperate and resolve most complex problems,” Rania Almashat, Minister of International Cooperation of the Arab Republic of Egypt.
“Even in such a difficult time as the current pandemic, we want to meet with each other and communicate,” Reem Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation of the United Arab Emirates; Director General, Expo 2020 Dubai.
Global estrangement and the impact of politics on humanitarian ties between countries
“The [EXPO, – Ed.] could be just the right platform to reduce the political aspect of the event. <...> In the global race for political ambition, we have lost much of our common sense – those who create geopolitical pressure against us have to create anti-pressure. But this always comes with discomfort both for our country and for those who create this pressure, above all for those people who live in these countries, who are trying to build a business with our country,” Denis Manturov, Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation.
“We need to unite both on the government level and on the level of regular citizens, people. We need to try and look into the future and what we would like it to be. <…> We need to learn to collaborate,” Reem Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation of the United Arab Emirates; Director General, Expo 2020 Dubai.
Expo legacy is an important component of economic and infrastructural development
“An important point is the legacy of the Expo. A successful Expo is one that leaves behind the infrastructure and the new look of entire cities and the new image of entire countries. Milan was wonderful – warm and tasty, but almost nothing is left after the Expo, while Shanghai has completely changed after the Expo. In Russia, where we hope Expo will take place, we want it to be the new face of the new Moscow, the new image of Russia, which started to take shape after the World Cup in 2018. It may be a campus for entirely new activities – I do not know if it will be a university campus or something else, but heritage is an essential part of any Expo,” Arkady Dvorkovich, Chairman, Skolkovo Foundation.
“A long-term investment. It is not a quick payback,” Denis Manturov, Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation.
SOLUTIONS
SOFT POWER EXPO
“International trade fairs have always been such a centre, the heart of international cooperation. <...> It really is a platform for organizing international cooperation. In a sense, trade fairs link the individual with groups of people and with the world. <...> These events help to build dialogues and the exchange of information between people around the world,” Dimitri Kerkentzes, Secretary General, Bureau International des Expositions (BIE).
“Russia and, in particular, the St. Petersburg Economic Forum, play a very important role in international cooperation, and I hope it will continue to do so in the future. <...> The World Fairs are very important. <...> It is a great opportunity to demonstrate not only our cooperation but also our responsibility. An exhibition is an opportunity to show that we are a part of the world which has soft power. We are also responsible for the state of the world. We are aware of that responsibility. For sustainable development. And we do not do it for the Europeans or the world, but we do it for ourselves, for our children and grandchildren, to live in a world where we are responsible for its condition,” Denis Manturov, Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation.
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