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DEC

22

2014

Statement by the Press Secretary on the Presidential Election in Tunisia

President Obama congratulates President-elect Beji Caid Essebsi on his victory and the people of Tunisia on the successful conclusion of the first presidential election under the new constitution, a vital step toward the completion of Tunisia’s momentous transition to democracy. The United States looks forward to working closely with President-elect Caid Essebsi and the new government as they work to uphold the ideals of the Tunisian revolution and to meet all Tunisians’ aspirations for security, economic opportunity, and dignity. The United States intends to continue to strengthen and expand our strategic partnership with the Tunisian people. The strong commitment by Tunisia's leaders and the Tunisian people to inclusive political dialogue, consensus-building, and democratic values has been crucial to the success of the political transition and will be equally important during the next phase of Tunisia's history. This historic moment is an opportunity for the international community to reaffirm and deepen its commitment to Tunisia. The United States stands at the forefront of this effort.

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MAI

01

2015

Milano - EXPO 2015

Milan EXPO 2015 is the next scheduledUniversal Exposition after Expo 2012, and will be hosted by Milan, Italy, between 1 May and 31 October 2015. This will be the second time Milan hosts the exposition, the first being the Milan International of 1906. On November 23, 2010, the event was officially announced by the International Exhibitions Bureau (BIE). The BIE General Assembly in Paris decided in favour of the Milanese candidature on March 31, 2008. Expo 2015 will be held under the theme Feeding the planet, energy for life.

OCT

01

2020

Dubai - EXPO 2020

UAE selected the theme “Connecting Minds, Creating the Future”. The subthemes will be Sustainability, Mobility and Opportunity. The event will be a platform for hundreds of nations to showcase their thinking in architecture, science and technology. Expo 2020 is about creating opportunity for the wider region and developing a truly global platform to find the innovative solutions required to address the future of Mobility, Sustainability and Opportunity – issues that hold resonance for the entire global community. "In today’s highly interconnected world, a renewed vision of progress and development based on shared purpose and commitment is key. While a single human mind, an individual country, or a specific community is both unique and remarkable, it is by working collaboratively that we truly advance." Dubai Ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said in support of the bid. The World Expo in Dubai in 2020 will be the first to be held in the MENA & SA (Middle East and North Africa & South Asia) region. On 27 November 2013, when Dubai won the right to host the expo 2020, fireworks erupted at the world's tallest building, Burj Khalifa. A national holiday was declared the following day for all educational institutions across the country. The Dubai Ruler promised Dubai would "astonish the world," in 2020. The staging of the world fair and the preparations leading are up to it are expected to result in 277,000 new jobs in the UAE, an injection of nearly $40 billion into the economy, and an increase in visitors of at least 25 million and up to 100 million. The world's tallest commercial tower to be built in Dubai, in Jumeirah Lake Towers, was given the name "Burj 2020" in honour of the World Expo 2020. There are reports which have analysed the recent economic downturn and predict that World Expo 2020 in Dubai, will lead to a property bubble, which might have far reaching consequences.

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