The United Kingdom Foreign & Commonwealth Office has announced that it will host the forthcoming G20 Summit at Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company’s ExCeL London venue in the UK capital. The ExCeL London Summit will bring together leaders of the world’s advanced and emerging economies, including the G20 (Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States and European Union), and representatives of international financial institutions to work cooperatively to restore stability and stimulate global economic growth. Leaders will travel from around the globe to attend this crucial event.

Commenting on the decision of the UK government to hold the summit at ExCeL London, His Excellency Ali Saeed Bin Harmal Al Dhaheri, ADNEC Managing Director said: "This is excellent news for ExCeL London and for ADNEC. The selection of ExCeL London as the host of the London Summit is testament to the venue’s international standing as one of the premier meeting and events destinations in Europe."

Simon Horgan, ADNEC CEO added: “The decision to host G20 Summit at ExCeL London is a strong endorsement of ADNEC’s development plans for the site.  One of the reasons we acquired ExCeL London was so that Abu Dhabi could benefit from its standing as a premier international exhibition and conference venue, the G20 Summit is the latest in a long list of prestigious events to be held at ExCeL which result in a significant direct and indirect benefits to Abu Dhabi.”

ADNEC acquired ExCeL London in May 2008 in deal valued at more than AED 2.3 billion. Since this time ADNEC has invested in the development of ExCeL London, beginning construction of Phase 2 of the venue which will see it increase to almost 100,000sqm of exhibition floor space.  Additionally, ADNEC began the first phase of the brand integration between ADNEC and ExCeL London at last November’s World Travel Market.

It is widely acknowledged that by developing a network of world-class venues, ADNEC will be able to serve the needs of an industry which is increasingly global in its outlook.