Dubai's plans for Expo 2020 revealed

Details of Dubai's campaign to host Expo 2020 have been made public for the first time, with the organisers planning an exciting programme of entertainment that explores the heritage of the United Arab Emirates.The official bid document submitted to the Bureau of International Expositions (BIE) in December 2012 has now been seen by the National, which said the event is set to feature a "dazzling pageant" that will trace the region's history from ancient Bedouin civilisations to the present day.Dubai is one of five cities hoping to host the event, with the winner due to be announced by the BIE in November. The other candidates are Ayutthaya in Thailand, Brazil's Sao Paulo, Yekaterinburg in Russia and the Turkish city of Izmir. If the emirate is successful, Expo 2020 will be the first world fair to take place in the Middle East. Dubai is believed to be one of the frontrunners, having devoted considerable resources to its campaign.According to the newspaper, Dubai's bid document includes a pledge to deliver a stunning range of live entertainment that will include music concerts, firework displays, puppetry and theatrical performances.A sample schedule for a single day includes a total of 63 different events, running from 10:30 to 23:30. As the expo is due to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the foundation of the UAE, many of the entries in the programme will celebrate this milestone."Dubai knows how to put on a party and that is going to be the biggest party ever," commented Peter Vine, who has coordinated the UAE pavilions at previous expos."So in terms of celebrations and entertainment and fun and enjoyment it's all going to be happening, and the expo will add to it in a huge way." Earlier this month, former US president Bill Clinton endorsed the expo bid during a visit to Dubai. He said the emirate has a good chance of winning because "Dubai's model of shared prosperity is more important today than ever and an inspiration to many countries in the Middle East".