The U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council hosted The Honorable Michael B. Hancock, Mayor of Denver, Colorado and a delegation of government, private sector, and educational institutions for a special event yesterday at Dubai South. The meeting provided a platform for public and private sector stakeholders from Denver to discuss mutually beneficial business opportunities between the city of Denver and Dubai South ahead of Expo 2020.

 Ambassador Michael Corbin, former U.S. Ambassador to the U.A.E. and senior advisor to the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council, welcomed the delegation and acknowledged Mayor Hancock, Councilman Albus Brooks, and Councilwoman Stacie Gilmore before providing his introductory remarks about the burgeoning U.S.-U.A.E. commercial, trade, and security relationship.

 “The U.A.E. is an integral part of the new silk road as one of the largest and most advanced trade and commercial hubs in the region,” said Ambassador Corbin. “The U.A.E. provides American companies the ability to connect with the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia through world-class infrastructure and an internationally recognized business-friendly environment.”

Former U.S. Ambassador to the U.A.E. and senior advisor to the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council, the Honorable Michael Corbin with Dubai South CEO, Mr. Ahmed Al Ansari, Vice President of Engagement for Expo 2020, Ms. Manal Al Bayat, Mayor of Denver, The Honorable Michael B. Hancock, Councilwoman Stacie GIlmore, and Councilman Albus Brooks

 Ambassador Corbin welcomed Mr. Ahmed Al Ansari, the Acting CEO of Dubai South, to the stage to offer his remarks. Mr. Al Ansari underscored Dubai South’s state-of-the-art logistics infrastructure, which has incorporated advanced transportation through air, land, and sea. Mr. Al Ansari labeled Dubai South as a future aerotropolis combining Al Maktoum International Airport with the Expo 2020 campus. Ms. Manal Al Bayat, Vice President of Engagement for Expo 2020, subsequently presented the audience with an overview of Expo 2020 and opportunities for engagement.

 After a stimulating Q&A session, Ambassador Corbin thanked the audience and gave a special recognition to Mayor Hancock, Mr. Al Ansari, and Ms. Al Bayat before concluding the afternoon meeting.

 The Mayor’s Mission to the U.A.E. began on October 21 and will continue through October 26, 2016. Denver-based organizations attending the five day mission will continue to promote business opportunities and discuss Denver’s broader mission at Expo 2020. The delegation will make multiple site visits including to Masdar City before returning to the U.S.