Case Study : WUF
Just before the Covid pandemic really hit , in February 2020 , the United Nations-established World Urban Forum ( WUF ) was successfully hosted at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre under the patronage of H . H . Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan , Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi .
It was the tenth edition of the Forum and the first time an Arab country had hosted this important international conference on cities and human settlements .
The top five countries by size of delegation were India , the United States of America , Nigeria , the United Kingdom and Egypt .
“ Hosting WUF10 is a substantial milestone in the progression of the MICE industry in Abu Dhabi , and a testament to our emirate ’ s excellent capability to successfully host large events of such significance ,” said Mubarak Al Shamsi , director ADCEB . “ The growing importance of conventions like the WUF is becoming more and more recognised by our local government due to their considerable contribution to the development of the economy .
“ As Abu Dhabi continues to develop in various aspects , we look forward to bringing more impactful events and conventions of this size to our destination ,” he added .
“ This was the first time that the World Urban Forum had taken place in the Arab region and we could not have asked for a better host than the emirate of Abu Dhabi ,” said Maimunah Mohamed Sharif , under-secretary-general and executive director of the Forum organiser UN-Habitat .
“ The destination ’ s location at the meeting point of east and west , coupled with the strong government support , ensured an inclusive and diverse programme . This contributed to a truly meaningful gathering .”
WUF10 was convened in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Department of Municipalities and Transport , Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi , the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation , the General Secretariat of the Executive Council and ADNEC .
In preparation for WUF10 , the Department of Municipalities and Transport established an executive committee of four government bodies : the Abu Dhabi Executive Office , Abu Dhabi Police , the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi , and Abu Dhabi Nation Exhibition Centre .
WUF10 IN NUMBERS
Number of attendees
30,070
( Compared to 23,000 for WUF9 )
Countries represented
168
( WUF9 – 164 )
Number of exhibitors
133
( WUF9 - 96 )
18 / EXHIBITION WORLD / ABU DHABI