H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs, has said that the significance of the UAE's hosting of Expo 2020 Dubai is in that it is the first event of its kind, "not only in the Middle East or the Arab world, but the first in Africa and South Asia and the first in a Muslim country." His Highness made those remarks at a ceremony to mark the start of the one-year countdown to Expo 2020 which began yesterday, 20th October, in the Italian city of Matera - known as the European capital of culture. Following a presentation given by Paolo Glisenti, General Commissioner for Italy at Expo 2020 Dubai, the Minister commended what Italy has in store for the event. He said, "Expo will be a theatre for all to create, build, listen and learn." "The baton has been passed from Milan to us, which gives us a great responsibility in the UAE to present something new... as well as our keenness to present an Expo with an oriental, Arab and Emirati flare." His Highness Sheikh Abdullah concluded his speech by welcoming future guests. He told them, "As we say in Arabic, Hayyakum." The event attendees included Luigi Di Maio, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Italy, Lorenzo Fioramonti Italian Minister of Education, University and Research, Omar Obaid Mohammed Al Shamsi, UAE Ambassador to Italy, and a large gathering of government officials, students, university professors, and scientists.
