HH Sheikh Hamdan inaugurates monument to celebrate the hosting of the Annual Meetings

HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister for Finance and Industry, officially inaugurated the monument.

This monument, located at the Dubai World Trade Centre roundabout, bears the images of flags of all the participating countries, and the logo of Dubai 2003.

The monument is 25m high, the base is 10.5 x 10.5 x 3.25m with a 2.5m wide granite base, and is made from stainless steel and glass.

The glass tower has the flags of member countries and their names in both English and Arabic. The entire structure is lit from within, and the names and flags of participating nations on the structure move upwards.

Topping the monument is a rotating globe, with the seas and oceans marked with blue glass and stainless steel cut-outs marking each continent. The UAE's position on the globe is marked by a stainless steel cut-out that is decorated in the colours of the UAE flag. The only flag found on the globe, it shows the UAE's prominent position as the host of the biggest Annual Meetings of the global financial community.

The monument becomes most beautiful at night, when the light and the smooth movements of the globe are clearly visible. This is a fitting tribute to the UAE's achievement in holding an event of the calibre of the Annual Meetings.

The Annual Meetings of the Boards of Governors of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund were first held in Washington DC in 1946. They are hosted by an international city one year in three. The UAE and Dubai were selected because of their highly developed transportation and logistics infrastructure, growing importance as a financial hub and its established position as an oasis of opportunity.