By DPA,
Dubai: The Gulf emirate of Dubai said Thursday it would welcome the chance to succeed New York City as the venue of the United Nations headquarters, should the organisation decide to move.
“The emirate would welcome talks with officials at the organisation to inform them of the facilities and advantages that Dubai can offer,” a statement from the office of Dubai’s ruler,
Sheikh Mohammed bin-Rashid bin-Maktoum said.
“Dubai has potential that would allow it to host the UN Headquarters,” the statement from the city-state said, pointing to “its geographical location and the infrastructure, especially its … finest transportation network.”
“The city is an important meeting point that is easily accessible from around the world,” the statement read.
Dubai said it would welcome the UN headquarters “as a recognition of the vital role the international organisation plays at various levels, particularly in international peace-keeping and security, and economic development.”
The emirate’s offer comes three days after the US business magazine Forbes, in an opinion piece, argued for Dubai as the future UN headquarters site.
The piece noted that there was a proposal by a UN relocation committee for a temporary move to Singapore by 2015, but the Forbes authors argued for Dubai, noting the massive amount of office, hotel and residential space available or under construction there.