The United States and 14 more countries on Thursday confirmed their participation in Expo 2020 Dubai, during the second International Participants Meeting (IPM) of the event.

The announcement raised the number of nations taking part in Expo 2020 Dubai to 140, making it close to the target of at least 180.

These countries included Austria, Bangladesh, Belarus, Cabo Verde, Cuba, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Mexico, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Somalia, along with the US.

The IPM, organised with the help of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), the governing body for World Expos, was attended by Hamdan Al Maktoum, crown prince of Dubai, Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, minister of foreign affairs and international cooperation and senior dignitaries of nations from around the world.

“Expo 2020 Dubai is an important step in the development process of the UAE” Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman of the Expo 2020 Dubai higher committee, said.

“Our aim is to work with all countries, institutions and companies to serve the citizens, residents and visitors of our nation, which is proud of being tolerant and open to all cultures,” he added.

“The IPM has brought the world fully up to speed on the progress and plans for Expo 2020 and we are delighted to see that Dubai is on track to host an incredible experience for millions of people from around the world.” Dimitri Kerkentzes, deputy secretary general at the Bureau International des Expositions, noted.

The event, which will be the first to be held in the Middle East, is scheduled to last for six months starting 20 October 2020.