(FILES) This file photo taken on September 06, 2015 shows a computer-generated handout image released by United Arab Emirates News Agency (WAM) on May 1, 2016 of architect Santiago Calatrava’s design for the UAE Pavilion for Dubai World Expo 2020 which was selected following a seven-month design competition. Dubai hosted a meeting that ended on May 24, 2016 of over 100 countries to discuss its plans to host the world Expo trading fair in 2020 which organisers expect to attract 25 million visitors. The meeting is the first since the Emirati city won in 2013 the right to host the event in which Dubai hopes 180 countries would participate, according to a statement by the organisers. / AFP PHOTO / WAM / HO

Dubai presented ambitious plans Tuesday for its hosting of the 2020 World Expo, the first in the Middle East, with organisers hoping to attract 25 million visitors.

Representatives of more than 100 countries gathered in the Emirati city for talks on the event, which Dubai won the right to host in 2013.

“For the first time in the history of World Expos, each country will have an individual pavilion, enhancing the ability of nations to showcase themselves,” organisers said in a statement.

The Expo site will cover 438 hectares (1,080 acres) next to Dubai’s smaller second airport, Al-Maktoum International, which opened in 2013.

Panel discussions and workshops were held during the two-day planning meeting aimed at providing potential participants with details on the Expo 2020 plan and highlighting “business opportunities in the UAE for innovation, trade and investment, and knowledge transfer,” the statement said.

The fair will take place from October 2020 to April 2021.