Token2049, the annual conference dedicated to Web3 technology, is set to commence on Thursday, April 18. However, the event may face some unexpected challenges as the host city of Dubai has been hit by an unusual deluge of rain, resulting in widespread flooding. This desert city typically receives a mere 9.5 centimeters (approximately 4 inches) of rainfall per year, but within a span of just 24 hours between Monday and Tuesday evening, it has experienced nearly 15cm (around 6 inches) of rainfall, causing chaos in the usually dry metropolis.
Videos and clips circulating on social media showcase the extraordinary scenes in Dubai, with streets transformed into rivers, submerged cars, waterlogged runways being sprayed by planes, and numerous accounts of diverted flights and conference attendees trapped in their hotels.
Dubai International Airport, the second busiest airport in the world, with an annual passenger count of 87 million, advised travelers today not to embark on their journeys, marking a first for the typically arid nation.
Nevertheless, the organizers of Token2049 have decided to proceed with the event despite the inconveniences faced by attendees. Hope is pinned on the anticipated return of the usual weather conditions for this time of year in the Emirates: clear blue skies and temperatures around 30 degrees Celsius. It is expected that these conditions will help the city recover and resume normal operations.
Ezra Reguerra, a reporter from Cointelegraph, is present in Dubai to cover the conference and has shared some astonishing videos of the city following the storms.
Token2049, taking place from April 18-19, 2024, at the Madinat Jumeirah Hotel, is considered one of the premier global events for the Web3 and cryptocurrency communities. This year marks the first time the conference is being held in Dubai. Tickets for the event were sold out well in advance, with an estimated 10,000 attendees expected over the course of two days. The conference will bring together founders, executives, and decision-makers from over 4,000 companies representing 100 countries.
The agenda for Token2049 covers a wide range of topics, including decentralized artificial intelligence, Web3 gaming, decentralized finance (DeFi), and blockchain scalability. True to the spirit of Dubai, the event will be accompanied by exhibitions, live DJ sets, and top-notch hospitality.
Token2049 actually kicked off on April 15 with a week-long series of meetups, workshops, and parties. The second Token2049 event of the year is scheduled to take place in Singapore in September.