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Key speakers announced for travel summit at Expo 2020 Dubai

First speakers announced for a programme of events designed to explore the future of sustainable travel at the UK Pavilion.

 

9 April 2021:
 

With six months to go until the opening of Expo 2020 Dubai, actor and broadcaster Robert Llewellyn is one of the headline speakers announced today for a programme of events designed to explore the future of sustainable travel taking place at the UK Pavilion this November.

From 19-23 November 2021, visitors will be able to explore the challenges and opportunities facing the way we travel. From efficiency and sustainability to safety and autonomy, the event - titled In the Future, How will we Travel? - will bring together some of the most innovative minds in transportation to tackle the sector's biggestchallenges as part of the UK's national programme at Expo 2020 Dubai.

Through a series of talks, podcasts, workshops, and experiences ‘How will we Travel?’ will consider how best to address the challenges raised by the way we currently travel under the UK’s participation theme for Expo 2020 Dubai, ‘Innovating for a Shared Future.

The five-day programme will include a summit bringing together some of the most influential speakers from automotive, aviation, rail, maritime and aerospace to discuss the future of each sector while a series of podcasts will allow audiences from around the world to take part in the discussions virtually. The speakers announced today are Robert Llewellyn, actor and broadcaster; Will Whitehorn, President of the UK Space Agency; and Iain Percy, CEO of Artemis Technologies.

Throughout the week visitors to the UK Pavilion will be able to experience interactive installations, exhibitions and showcase events that bring the very best of the UK travel and transportation industry to Expo 2020 Dubai. Ideas and installations from university students will also form part of the event and highlight the benefits of studying in the UK and the wider opportunities available in the UK transport industry.

All events will be hosted in the stunning UK Pavilion, designed by brand experience specialists Avantgarde with British artist and designer Es Devlin, inspired by Professor Stephen Hawking’s 'Breakthrough Message’. A must see highlight of the Expo 2020 Dubai campus, it occupies a prime location in the Opportunity District, near to the central Al Wasl Dome and Plaza.

Robert Llewellyn says: "I am so thrilled to be invited to participate in this crucially important event. The opportunities ahead in the realm of renewable energy electric transport and storage technology are exciting and developing at incredible speed. The serious environmental challenges ahead of us all are also very profound, but there is a beacon of hope. We can transition to a circular economy where our actions today won't destroy the prospects for our children and grandchildren and in many areas the UK is at the forefront of this development.

Graham Stuart MP, Minister for Exports and Expo, says: “The UK Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai will provide the perfect platform to showcase the UK’s leading innovators in transportation and show how we can make travel more sustainable in future.

;UK businesses are leading the global effort to reduce the environmental impact of travel. There are more than 1,500 low-emission vehicle businesses in the UK, and the sector boasts a combined goods and services turnover of £4.4bn, which is growing every year.

The first World Expo to be held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region and the largest event ever held in the Arab world, Expo 2020 Dubai will now open on 1 October 2021. Further details of ‘How will we Travel?’ and the wider UK programme of events will be announced throughout the year as the event draws closer.

For more information and to take a virtual tour of the UK Pavilion visit:

https://www.great.gov.uk/expo2020

Join the conversation at @UKPavilion2020 #Expo2020

ENDS

The UK at Expo 2020 Dubai

The UK is participating in Expo 2020 Dubai, taking place from 1 October 2021 to 31 March 2022. Over 190 nations are taking part with 70% of the visitors expected from around the world. The overarching theme for Expo 2020 Dubai is ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’.

The UK’s participation in Expo 2020 Dubai will be led by the Department for International Trade (DIT), with support from the Devolved Administrations and other UK Government Departments. The UK’s presence will consist of a self-build country Pavilion and an accompanying business, cultural, tourism and education events programme. The theme of the UK Pavilion is ‘Innovating for a Shared Future’ and will be based in the ‘Opportunity’ district.

Find out more on the UK at Expo 2020 Dubai website