Five new projects have been selected from COVID-19-related proposals from Expo 2020 Dubai’s Global Best Practice Programme. Among them are a wearable device that warns when social distancing is not followed and a Jordanian programme that helps vulnerable communities grow businesses online during lockdown. These hand-picked initiatives have joined 45 existing projects, whose simple, effective and locally centered solutions solve some big challenges, including the ones that were laid out in the Sustainable Development Agenda. These were 17 global targets designed to achieve peace and prosperity.

The latest additions coincide with the United Nations marking World Creativity and Innovation Day on 21st April, to celebrate human ingenuity and the creative economy, and the crucial role they played in helping communities throughout the pandemic.

Reem Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation, Director-General of Expo 2020 Dubai and Chair of the UAE National Committee on Sustainable Development Goals, said, “The impact of major global challenges has made it very clear that, to build a better future, we must work together as a global community. Our expanded Global Best Practice Programme exemplifies Expo’s purpose to bring the world together – aligned with our theme of ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’ – to drive positive change and support projects from across the world that communities need now.”

“These projects are providing tangible, life-changing solutions to the challenges brought on by the pandemic, and we are proud to showcase them at Expo 2020 Dubai – a one-of-a-kind global platform and an impactful incubator for new ideas,” she added.

New projects include Safe Distance, a wearable device from Belgium firm Lopos that uses alarms, lights and vibrations to warn when social distancing is not being followed, and UAE-based Project Maji, which has devised the Maji Bucket – a safe, low-tech and low-cost invention, produced by people of Ghana, to ensure safe handwashing practices in rural communities. Another project, SitatByoot, works directly with Jordon’s vulnerable communities, mainly women who are working from home during lockdowns. During the pandemic, it developed a vocational training programme to create certified ‘makers’, producing garments and hand-made goods for sale through SitatByoot’s sister e-commerce platform, Makesy. Makesy currently has a certified network of 500-plus ‘makers’ completing orders from home – helping them enter the labour market, grow their online businesses and provide more income for their families.

Dimitri S. Kerkentzes, Secretary General of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), said, “World Expos excel as platforms for showcasing and sharing inspiring projects that bring real improvements to lives around the world. The BIE enthusiastically endorses this timely COVID-19 edition of Expo 2020 Dubai’s Global Best Practice Programme, which gathers a series of innovative, inclusive and truly transformative solutions to the new challenges raised by the pandemic. By exchanging impactful solutions for people and the planet, we can address and overcome these challenges together.”

Since September 2020 when call for COVID-19 proposals was initiated, Expo received applications from 318 projects, in 78 different countries, across five prime arenas: Digitalisation; Education and Skills Development; Health and Well being; Water, Sanitation and Hygiene; and Protecting Livelihoods. They were assessed by a jury, comprising Cisco, the Official Digital Network Partner of Expo 2020; UAE-based global philanthropic organisation Dubai Cares; and UN Habitat, the UN programme for human settlements and sustainable urban development. Top candidates were then reviewed and signed off by the BIE and the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL).

From 1st October 2021 to 31st March 2022, Expo 2020 Dubai will invite visitors from across the world to join, as they discover life-changing innovations to bring meaningful, positive impact for all. 

WAM