DUBAI: The Gulf emirate of Dubai said on Thursday that it is “fully prepared” to host the United Nations headquarters, an idea floated by US magazine Forbes.
“Dubai is fully prepared to host the UN’s headquarters on its soil if UN officials decide to move the headquarters from New York,” the emirate said in an official statement.
“Dubai is the ideal choice because of its geographic location and efficient transport network. The emirate welcomes channels of dialogue with the directors of the international organization to show them what Dubai can offer,” the statement added.
Dubai, which invested heavily in infrastructure, could benefit from the influx of at least 6,000 UN staff, who would require office and residential space. Total office space in Dubai will double to about 6 million square meters by the end of 2011 according to Colliers International estimates.
About 40 percent of the Dubai’s current offices stand empty.
The UN’s New York-based headquarters are currently undergoing a $1.9 billion makeover, which has led to the temporary relocation of its staff. Renovations are due for completion in 2013. The current location on Manhattan’s East River has long been subject to criticism as many diplomats struggle to obtain US visas and New York residents suffer from the inconveniences of traffic gridlock caused by visiting dignitaries.
“The whole wild enterprise known as Dubai could signal a potential opportunity to the global community: turning the place into the headquarters for that other misguided ship, the United Nations,” Forbes said this week. “Bringing the United Nations to Dubai makes sense,” it said.
“New York gets rid of one of its worst welfare cheats, and Dubai finds new tenants to fill its vacant towners. Dubai has already built something that looks the part of a 21st century world capital.”
