Dubai outruns Izmir and Ekaterinburg to take in World Expo 2020

Izmir's bid to host the World EXPO 2020 ended in disappointment today after the Aegean city was eliminated in the second round of voting by delegates of the Bureau of International Expositions, with Dubai winning over Ekaterinburg in the final round to bring the world's fair to the Middle East for the first time ever Hurriyetdailynews reported.

Izmir received 36 votes in the second round of voting, while Dubai advanced to the final round with 87 votes to Ekaterinburg's 41. Sao Paulo was eliminated in the first round of the voting.

Dubai won the race after receiving 116 votes in the last round to Ekaterinburg's 47.

Despite competing with economically dynamic cities, Izmir was unable to seal the deal with its theme, "New Routes to a Better World / Health for All."

The Turkish delegation was headed by Transport Minister Binali Yildirim. Yildirim said ahead of the voting that the Turkish delegations at the ministerial level, ministry representatives, EXPO authorities, embassies and the business world had held talks with 97 percent of 167 BIE member countries.


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