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Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, honored the EXPO 2020 team members of directors, officials, and technicians; all of whom worked for the past two years on the event’s preparations. The team’s efforts enabled -to a great extent- the UAE’s winning bid to host the world EXPO 2020 in Dubai. The UAE’s win was declared following the voting conducted recently in Paris; as it surpassed four other nominated cities. The honorary ceremony was held this evening and was attended by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai; His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Foreign Minister of Dubai. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed also honored the UAE ministerial team, led by Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The team included a number of ministers who were delegated to the International Exhibitions Bureau (BIE) to witness the EXPO 2020 voting process, where Dubai won the votes of 165 member countries. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid also honored the members of the Higher Committee on Hosting the World Expo 2020 in Dubai, chaired by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman of Emirates Group. Sheikh Mohamed greeted all the members of the team and the committee for their sincere efforts on behalf of the UAE and the Emirati people at the regional and international level. In addition to the honorary ceremony, His Highness Sheikh Mohammeda ttended the 42nd National Day celebration held at the Burj Khalifa. He was accompanied by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai; His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Foreign Minister of Dubai; along with a host of ministers and senior officials and an audience of some 20,000 people. The celebration commenced with the national anthem, followed by the 'Happiest Nation' operette, which featured a poem by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed. The celebration also showcased paintings illustrating the heritage of sea and desert and reflecting the Emirati people’s struggle of to secure their basic necessities before the oil age.