John Rakolta Jr will lead US participation and is responsible for oversight of the country pavilion for the Expo which is set to launch in October
The US Ambassador to the UAE, John Rakolta Jr, has been designated Commissioner General of the US pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai.
As Commissioner-General, he will lead US participation and is responsible for oversight of the country pavilion, said the US Embassy in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.
Rakolta Jr and Counsellor of the Department of State T Ulrich Brechbuhl last week inaugurated the construction of the US pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai.
The ambassador said on the occasion: "The US pavilion will showcase how freedom and liberty of thought have enabled success and innovation for American entrepreneurs and innovators. We will share this message with the millions of visitors who will come to Dubai to attend Expo 2020, and we look forward to welcoming them to the pavilion of the United States of America."
Earlier in March, the State Department announced the selection of Thinkwell Group and Globa Ties US for the exhibition, operations and cultural programming at the US pavilion.
The start of construction work at the US pavilion follows months of uncertainty surrounding America’s participation in the event due to a lack of funding and a failure to receive emergency support from the government.
By law, the State Department, which is responsible for the country's participation in international expositions, is not allows to provide funds for such international gatherings.
In January, however, it was announced that the pavilion would be funded “by the generosity of the Emirati government”.
The State Department did not disclose any further details on the UAE contribution, but Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had earlier spoken of $60 million needed to set up the pavilion for the six-month fair.
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