Dubai: One of the largest gathering on earth since COVID-19, Expo 2020 Dubai has added yet another milestone in its long list of remarkable, first-of-its-kind achievements as the event received official certification from leading international independent assessment body the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) for its site-wide sustainable event management processes.
Attaining the ‘ISO 20121:2012 Event Sustainability Management Systems’ certification is a validation of Expo 2020’s efforts to embed sustainability, one of the three key subthemes of the global mega event, across its entire lifecycle.
ISO’s 20121:2012 certification is specifically designed for events with an aim to optimise sustainability opportunities, and minimise impacts across the environment, communities and the local economy.
The Final Audit, a critical step in achieving certification was carried out by world’s leading third-party testing, inspection and certification services provider Bureau Veritas.
Sharing her remarks about the achievement, Ms. Dina Storey, Director, Sustainability Operations, Expo 2020 Dubai, observed that, “Sustainability is an area we see as fundamental to the future of humanity. As such, it is one of our key subthemes, and our commitment to sustainability is reflected in all aspects of our journey to create a meaningful impact that reaches beyond the Expo 2020 Dubai site and beyond the six months of the event.”
Ms. Storey further added that “Attaining ISO 20121 certification to host one of the most sustainable World Expos in history is a testament to the hard work, dedication and excellence of our site-wide team. It fulfils the UAE’s commitment, which was made to the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) during the bid phase, and continues to honour the UAE’s visionary leadership in positioning the UAE as a pioneer in the green economy and sustainable development.”
Commenting on the audit and the successful certification process, Mr. Marcel Hochar, Senior Vice President, Bureau Veritas Middle East Region, remarked that, “We salute Expo 2020 Dubai for attaining ISO 20121 certification. With this certification, the event organisers have made a strong statement about the importance of sustainability in their event management approach. For nearly 200 years, we have supported our clients to ensure that their assets, products, infrastructure and processes meet standards and regulations in terms of quality, health and safety, environmental protection and social responsibility. We are proud to positively contribute to the world we live in and support organisations in their journey toward more sustainable business and a more sustainable world. This collaboration with Expo 2020 Dubai further illustrates how sustainability plays a critical role in every aspect of the mega-event, benefiting its partners, guests and society as a whole Expo”.
The coveted certification is one among several elusive milestones achieved by Expo 2020 Dubai. The Al Wasl Plaza, the beating heart of the Expo site which also houses world’s largest 360-degree projection surface has gained the highest possible sustainability ratings by international civil engineering assessment giant CEEQUAL along with other structures in the Expo site.
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