MANILA - The Philippines will participate in the World Expo 2020 to be held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

President Rodrigo Duterte, through Administrative Order No. 17, has ordered the formation of a Philippine Organizing Committee to handle Manila's participation in the event.

"The participation of the Philippines in the Expo 2020 Dubai provides an excellent opportunity to further enhance the country's presence [on] a global scale, and promote the country's commercial and public interests in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia region," Duterte said in his order.

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Manila's organizing committee will be led by the secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry as chairperson and commissioner-general.

Also part of the committee are the secretaries of tourism, foreign affairs, budget and management, labor and employment, science and technology, and information and communications technology.

The country's organizing committee shall be responsible for formulating a theme and message of the Philippines which would promote the country as an "ideal destination" for trade and tourism, and showcase Filipino culture and heritage.

Funding for the committee will be sourced from the contingent fund of the 2019 national budget, Malacañang said.

The upcoming World Expo, which will be held between Oct. 20, 2020 and April 10, 2021, carries the theme "Connecting Minds, Creating the Future."

It takes place every 5 years, with Milan hosting the last international fair in 2015. Osaka, meanwhile, will host the event in 2025.

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