- Expo 2020 Dubai-commissioned survey sees climate and tolerance as priorities
- Views across the region shared for a collaborative, progressive, brighter future
- 4,000 regional respondents surveyed for first Global Optimism Outlook Survey
DUBAI, 24 September 2019 – People around the Middle East are unified in their optimistic outlook and see respect and the celebration of diversity as key to unlocking a better future for all, according to a major new global survey.
Commissioned by Expo 2020 Dubai, and conducted by YouGov, the world’s first Global Optimism Outlook Survey tracked countries’ priorities for the future, looking at sustainability, economic growth, technology, travel, and more.
Findings show the Middle East ranked as one of the most positive regions in the world, with 63 per cent of respondents identifying themselves as optimists, while in all nine questions related to optimism for the future, the Middle East recorded higher rates than the global average.
Across the Middle East, a total of 4,000 participants from five countries (Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the UAE) were surveyed, separated by geographic region, gender, employment, marital status, and income. Globally, more than 20,000 people across 23 countries were surveyed.
The majority of the Middle East region is closely aligned over the key issues facing the planet’s future — viewing it as a higher priority than anything personal, economic, or technology-related.
Regional hopes of successfully combatting climate change are above the global average, with almost two-thirds of Middle East respondents (64%) optimistic about humanity’s ability to save the planet. Tolerance and respect emerged as a key trend, with the region seeing both as crucial to creating a better world.
Individuals and communities
An overwhelming majority of the Middle East’s respondents believe individuals and communities, rather than countries or large corporations, could be the key to unlocking and shaping future opportunities. A total of 88 per cent say individuals and communities can shape the future through greater collaboration, communication and knowledge-sharing, showing a willingness for people to pull together for the greater good. Globally, these findings are broadly mirrored.
Regionally, a large majority (86%) think technological advances and inventions will continue to build communities around the world, connect people globally (85%) and bring the world closer (81%). An even more significant majority (89%) are optimistic about the future of global transportation allowing people to easily get from point A to B. Meanwhile, 87 per cent are hopeful about the future ease of crossing borders.
Looking to the future: from hoverboards to high levels of tolerance
Respondents to the survey were also asked to gaze into their crystal balls and explore their hopes for the world in the year 2050, creating a wealth of fascinating findings.
The Middle East highly ranked the proposition that spreading tolerance and inclusivity can best unlock opportunity, while futuristic personal travel piqued imaginations, with high interest in hovering personal vehicles in Jordan, Kuwait, Oman and Saudi Arabia.
With just over one year to go before the next World Expo opens its doors, 85 per cent of the region’s respondents said they are interested in attending, demonstrating a significant appetite for the event from countries across the region, in line with global enthusiasm.
Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation and Director General of Expo 2020 Dubai, said: “In just over a year, Dubai and the UAE will be bringing the world together for the World Expo, in a spirit of collaboration, and creating an open global dialogue that allows us to look towards the future with renewed optimism.
“We developed the Global Optimism Outlook Survey to help us understand what the citizens of the world believe will shape a better future. People from around the world have spoken, and we have listened. The results show that we are more connected than we may believe. That dialogue, communication and collaboration are essential, and that we are united in our desire to create a happier, more inclusive, cleaner planet. Whether you’re sitting in South America, China, or here in the UAE, we’re connected in our passions for a better future,” she added.
For further information about the Global Optimism Outlook Survey please visit the landing page, here.
About Expo 2020 Dubai
Expo 2020 Dubai will bring together millions of people for The World’s Greatest Show, celebrating human brilliance and achievement under the theme ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’.
- The six months from 20 October 2020 to 10 April 2021 will be a moment in time to be part of an unparalleled event. We are extending a warm Emirati welcome to the world:
- 25 million visits are expected, with many visitors expected to come more than once
- 70 % of visitors anticipated to come from outside the UAE, the largest proportion of international visitors in the 168-year history of World Expos
- An entertaining global celebration with something for everyone, Expo 2020 will wow visitors with 60 daily events across 173 days, showcasing the best of music, technology, creativity and culture, while 200 F&B outlets will feature famous chefs and cuisine from every corner of the world
- Expo 2020 will be an endless journey of discovery. Visitors will have access to the latest innovations and breakthroughs, with more than 200 participants – including 192 nations, multilateral organisations, businesses and educational institutions – coming together to highlight real-life solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges
- Expo 2020’s sub-themes of Opportunity, Mobility and Sustainability will inspire visitors to make a conscious effort to think and live differently, and give them renewed optimism that, through collaboration, it is possible to make a lasting change to the world
- The first World Expo to take place in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) will be located on a 4.38 sqkm site adjacent to Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai South
The Expo 2020 Dubai Media Information System,Tawassul, is now available by registering at https://media.expo2020dubai.com. Tawassul is your essential tool to access important information and updates on topics such as media accreditation, licences and permits, press releases and visual assets.
The Expo 2020 Global Media Briefing, taking place in Dubai from 20-22 October 2019, will provide hundreds of members of the media the latest updates and insights on the event. To register, email: [email protected].
Visit: www.expo2020dubai.com
Follow: Twitter: @expo2020dubai | Facebook: @Expo2020Dubai | Instagram: expo2020dubai
About World Expos
In 1851 the Crystal Palace was the centrepiece of London’s Great Exhibition – the first World Expo. It celebrated the man-made industrial wonders of a rapidly changing world. Architecture, contents and a theme, ‘Industry of All Nations’, were combined to create a big idea of nations meeting nations in shared technological and commercial progress. In more recent years, participants in World Expos, including governments, international organisations and companies, have gathered to find solutions to universal challenges and to promote their achievements, products, ideas, innovations, their national brand, and their nations as destinations for tourism, trade and investment. World Expos are held under the auspices of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), the intergovernmental organisation responsible for overseeing and regulating international exhibitions (‘Expos’) and for fostering their core values of Education, Innovation and Cooperation. Today, four types of Expos are organised under the BIE’s auspices: World Expos, Specialised Expos