Taking forward its mission to advance innovative ideas that benefit people and the planet, Expo City Dubai Authority has launched a non-profit foundation to build on the success of Expo Live, the pioneering and impactful global innovation and partnership programme initiated under Expo 2020 Dubai.

The Expo City Dubai Foundation aims to bridge the gap between people, ideas and resources, creating a wide network of like-minded organisations to find solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges. It will actively support with funding, collaborations, investment and business opportunities, providing an enabling environment for social enterprises and problem-solvers from the Global South to scale and grow their ideas.

Following Expo City Dubai’s hosting of the COP28 climate summit and the most inclusive World Expo to date, the Foundation enhances the city’s position as a centre for meaningful partnerships.

Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation and CEO, Expo City Dubai Authority, said: “Rooted in the bold vision and values of Expo 2020 Dubai, our pioneering Expo Live innovation programme continues to benefit millions of people around the world, yet we know we have the potential to do so much more, create many more opportunities and spur even greater impact. The creation of the Expo City Dubai Foundation is not only integral to our city’s vision and values, but also an inevitable next step.

“This new entity ramps up our commitment to a more sustainable, inspiring future, and demonstrates our determination to drive widespread positive change, while also reflecting our city’s track record as a trusted convener and our nation’s cherished value of giving. Working together, we can harness human ingenuity for true, meaningful progress, and we invite all who share our values – entrepreneurs, philanthropists, corporates and fellow foundations – to join us in this exciting new chapter.”

The Foundation was launched at a gathering that included Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimy, Her Excellency Hessa Buhumaid, Director General of Dubai’s Community Development Authority and other government officials, foundations, partners and innovators.

HE Hessa Buhumaid said: “We are delighted to welcome the Expo City Dubai Foundation as an invaluable partner in our community development efforts, and are committed to providing a supportive regulatory environment where it can flourish. Our joint efforts to expand the Foundation’s scope of work reflect our leadership’s vision to work together towards a cleaner, safer, sustainable and more dignified future for communities around the world.”

The event, held on Thursday, included a panel discussion on philanthropy and social development with HE Hessa Buhumaid and His Excellency Badr Jafar, CEO of Crescent Enterprises and Special Envoy for Business and Philanthropy, UAE.

HE Badr Jafar said: “With trillions of dollars in strategic philanthropy expected to be practised across Asia and Africa in the years ahead, the UAE is uniquely positioned as a global hub for data, design and implementation of philanthropic solutions to our world’s greatest challenges. The Expo City Dubai Foundation, with Expo City Dubai’s proven track record in collaborative, targeted, and large-scale global impact, is central to realising this opportunity and responsibility.”

The Foundation builds on Expo Live’s remarkable legacy of innovation and partnerships, which has – to date – backed 191 initiatives from 92 countries. Announced in 2013, the programme’s first five cycles positively impacted 5.8 million people worldwide, created 160,000 jobs, improved healthcare for 1.1 million people and restored 36 million hectares of land.

The new entity plans a series of empowering partnerships designed to support social entrepreneurs across a wide range of sectors, based on the belief that a broad coalition of people working together can create tangible solutions that benefit communities and the planet.