The voting process to select the city which will host the World Expo 2020 will begin this morning in Paris, the French capital, with Dubai seen as the favourite to win the bid.

Three other cities in the running are: The Turkish city of Izmir, Ekaterinburg in Russia and Sao Paulo in Brazil.

The International Exhibitions Bureau (BIE), based in Paris, oversees the organisation of the large-scale event.

From 0930 GMT on Wednesday, each country will have 20 minutes to showcase their city in a high-pressure contest, after which the 168 member states of the BIE will vote electronically for their favourite.

The various delegates of the BIE (one per member nation) vote for their preferred bids. If no city garners 50 per cent of the vote, the lowest scoring city is removed from the ballot and the process is repeated until a city receives 50 per cent of the vote.

Typically, nations proposing a bid for a specific city are members of the BIE. If a nation is not a member of the BIE, they may still propose a bid for a city, but that city must then receive 2/3rds of the votes in order to be chosen.

The voting is estimated to take approximately three hours in total, starting at 17.00 UAE time. The BIE is expected to announce the host nation at approximately 17.30 Paris time (20.30 UAE time).

Dubai will be the first candidate city to make the presentation. The presentation broadcast will be available on www..expo2020dubai.ae

"We will know in the evening which of the four countries was chosen," BIE said, adding the results would be published on its website.

The World Expo -- which showcases technology, architecture and culture, while drawing visitors to host cities and generating business -- is held every five years for a period of six months.

Shanghai was the last host city and Milan is next in line in 2015. Turkey's Izmir lost the bid in 2015.

If Dubai -- home to the world's tallest tower, largest man-made island and one of the world's busiest airports -- is selected, it will be a first for an Arab country.

Sao Paulo, Brazil's largest city, has highlighted its culture of tolerance in its bid, while Izmir is focusing on healthcare.

Russia is presenting the industrial city of Ekaterinburg as part of a bid to develop the Ural region into a hub for technology and innovation.

The Expo is expected to draw more than 20 million people to the host city and give a boost to its economy.  - TradeArabia News Service