Cutting Edge Ekaterinburg Expo 2020 Bid Showcases Russia's Economic Transformation and Emerging Role in Global Thought Leadership
DAVOS, Switzerland, January 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --
The Ekaterinburg Expo 2020 bid highlights Russia's transition towards a diverse, knowledge based economy. Russia has traditionally been known as the world's largest producer of energy but is undergoing a period of transformation and is now ranked as Europe's 4th most attractive location for foreign investment.
Situated at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, and home to 45 universities and 20 research institutes, Ekaterinburg is a modern intellectual capital and worthy choice to host a global dialogue at the 2020 Expo. The city has already begun investing billions in urban infrastructure, including state of the art transport systems, technology parks and one of the world's largest housing projects.
Mikhail Kalimanov, Deputy Director of the International Economic Relations department of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation said:
'With its strong research base, excellent transport links and unique geographical location, Ekaterinburg is a natural choice to host Expo 2020. This is a cutting edge bid which has the full backing of the Russian Government and the Russian people'.
Expo's "Global Mind" initiative aims to spark world dialogue
The Ekaterinburg Expo 2020 bid accompanies a period of greater diplomatic engagement by Russia which currently holds the Chair of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and will host the Group of 20 (G20) in 2013. The government has also been investing significant resources in opening up the country to high-profile global cultural and sporting engagements, most notably the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic Games and the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Expos are often referred to as the Olympic Games of science, technology and business.. With this ideal in mind, and as part of its six month tenure, the Ekaterinburg team will launch 'The Global Mind' - an initiative to unite participants in a coherent global dialogue about key universal values and ideas about our shared future on earth and the largest challenges we face.
Eric Bugulov, CEO of the Ekaterinburg Expo 2020 Bid Committee said:
'The Global Mind initiative is at the heart of our Expo 2020 bid because we see it as Russia's chance to host the world in a conversation on the issues that matter most to every nation. We will seek to coordinate world opinion to create history's first data point on what the whole world thinks about our future. What better place to showcase this idea,, than here in Davos alongside some of the world's most influential thinkers?'
Ekaterinburg Expo 2020 is hosting an "Ekaterinbug Pavilion" at the World Economic Forum in Davos-Klosters, January 25th-28th.
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