{"id":12650,"date":"2025-04-08T17:16:08","date_gmt":"2025-04-08T13:16:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.uaehumanjourney.com\/en\/?p=12650"},"modified":"2025-04-08T17:25:58","modified_gmt":"2025-04-08T13:25:58","slug":"reem-al-hashimys-journey-how-expo-2020-dubai-became-a-global-symbol-of-hope","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.uaehumanjourney.com\/en\/2025\/04\/08\/reem-al-hashimys-journey-how-expo-2020-dubai-became-a-global-symbol-of-hope\/","title":{"rendered":"Reem Al Hashimy\u2019s Journey: How Expo 2020 Dubai Became a Global Symbol of Hope"},"content":{"rendered":"

In her book, “When Sands Shift: The Story of Expo Dubai – Creating Hope in Challenging Times,”<\/em> Reem Al Hashimy, the UAE’s Minister of State for International Cooperation, narrates her journey of leading one of the most innovative global events of the century\u2014Expo 2020 Dubai.<\/span> Balancing her prominent leadership role with family responsibilities, Al Hashimy offers a candid account of the international and personal challenges she faced while steering a team that brought together nations on an equal platform for the first time.<\/span>\u200b<\/p>\n

This success story, rooted in the heart of the Arab world, challenges stereotypes and preconceived notions about the region.<\/span> The book serves as an inspiration to women and girls both within the region and beyond, presenting an optimistic perspective on international relations amid a rapidly changing global landscape.<\/span> It also contextualizes the UAE’s broader role, not only in hosting major international events like Expo and COP but also as a mediator between nations and a leader in the Global South.<\/span>\u200b<\/p>\n

When Sands Shift<\/em> is more than a mere chronicle of Expo 2020’s milestones; it delves into moments where determination meets doubt, dreams confront reality, and vision aligns with responsibility.<\/span> The book’s human element\u2014highlighting challenges, setbacks, and the resilience to rise again\u2014offers profound inspiration.<\/span> It stands as a testament to the Expo 2020 Dubai message: a model of systematic perseverance and hope.<\/span>\u200b<\/p>\n

Readers will find themselves deeply engaged, as the narrative, though straightforward, carries significant depth and impact.<\/span> With a candid and bold style, Al Hashimy guides readers through various phases, from the bid to host the exhibition to its grand closing.<\/span> The book’s mature and balanced emotional tone invites readers to experience the journey from within, rather than as external observers.<\/span>\u200b<\/p>\n

The depth and influence of the book continually provoke thought, encouraging readers to focus on construction and the future amid global upheavals.<\/span> During times when it seemed the dream was threatened by challenges\u2014from the global pandemic to political tensions, time constraints, and high expectations\u2014the narrative rises beyond a mere Emirati success story.<\/span> It embodies a human experience that believes in cooperation, solidarity, and the ability to unite the world under one roof.<\/span>\u200b<\/p>\n

In the final chapter, Al Hashimy reveals a rarely discussed personal aspect of her journey.<\/span> When she took on the responsibility of leading the Expo bid, she was newly married.<\/span> By the time Expo opened its doors to the world, she was a mother of three children under the age of ten.<\/span> This intimate glimpse into her life underscores the multifaceted challenges she navigated, blending her roles as a woman, mother, and leader striving to make Expo 2020 a resounding success.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In her powerful memoir “When Sands Shift,” Reem Al Hashimy reveals the untold story behind Expo 2020 Dubai\u2014blending leadership, personal sacrifice, and national ambition.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":12651,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[211],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12650","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-happening-in-dubai"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.uaehumanjourney.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12650","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.uaehumanjourney.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.uaehumanjourney.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.uaehumanjourney.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.uaehumanjourney.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12650"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/blog.uaehumanjourney.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12650\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12652,"href":"https:\/\/blog.uaehumanjourney.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12650\/revisions\/12652"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.uaehumanjourney.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12651"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.uaehumanjourney.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12650"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.uaehumanjourney.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12650"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.uaehumanjourney.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12650"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}