WORLD EXPO 2020: FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE MENA REGION
World Expos have been catalysts for change for over 160 years, presenting ground-breaking innovations that continue to influence the world today and prompting ideas that have altered the direction of our future. Dubai’s Expo 2020 will be no exception. Held for the first time in the Middle Eastern, African and South Asian regions, World Expo 2020 will have a lasting impact on the future of our world.
‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’ Expo 2020 Dubai will bring together 192 countries for a period of six months (182 days) between 1st October 2021 to 31st March 2022 at Al Wasl — a central plaza surrounded by the three thematic districts — to celebrate culture, unique talents, ideas and discuss innovative methods to the challenges we all face.
ABOUT WORLD EXPO
World Expo has been celebrated for over 160 years, bringing together ideas and finding common ground for the betterment of every life on the planet. The very first World Expo was held in 1851 in London known as ‘The Great Exhibition’ or ‘The Crystal Palace Exhibition’. Each Expo focuses on a different theme giving the countries participating and the visitors something new every time.
Over the years more people were made aware of the event, therefore increasing the number of participants and visitors that made an appearance. Extraordinary contributions that we use to this day, from the first wireless telephone to the X-ray machines, were made to science and technology. Expo 2020 Dubai will be no exception. Like every World Expo, it will focus on the betterment and preservation of our world for future generations, looking forward with great optimism to what we can all achieve when we work together. Initially scheduled for 20th October 2020 to 10th April 2021, Expo 2020 had to be rescheduled to 1st October 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
With Reem Al Hashimy, the UAE Minister of State for International Affairs, at the helm, her leadership has not only elevated Expo 2020 to new heights but has also shattered stereotypes about Arab women.
WHAT DOES EXPO 2020 DUBAI MEAN FOR THE FUTURE?
Expo 2020 will bring together over 200 international participants from countries, organizations and educational institutions under one roof for the first time since the pandemic to produce the latest scientific achievements, ranging from medicine to space travel.
Expo 2020 takes on the theme ‘Connecting minds, Creating the Future’ with three sub-themes, each with its own pavilion;
- Sustainability – will focus on what countries are doing to master sustainability and understand how the human race can live in harmony with nature in a high-tech future.
- Mobility – will focus on connections that drive the world forward by bridging the gap between the physical and digital worlds
- Opportunity – will focus on how our lives and actions are interconnected with each other.
In the face of today’s challenges, none of us have the luxury of standing on the sidelines, and Expo 2020 gives the opportunity to collaborate and spark innovative ideas and solutions for our globally shared problems. It hopes for a society where everyone has access to clean water and clean air, where natural resources are maintained for future generations, where all women are educated and empowered, where every child attends school and no one goes hungry, and where healthcare is not a luxury.
WHAT TO EXPECT AT EXPO 2020
Expo 2020 Dubai’s opening ceremony will personify the show’s concept and aim of connecting minds and creating the future with over 1,000 performers and technical teams from the UAE and around the world coming together to make the magic happen. Be it in the front row at the iconic Al Wasl Plaza or at home, all visitors will be taken on an incredible journey across Expo’s sub-themes of Opportunity, Mobility, and Sustainability. It will showcase the UAE’s deep-rooted values and the mega-vision event’s and purpose, while welcoming the 192 participating countries.
Expo 2020 provides each country with individual pavilions on the three districts based on the sub-theme category they fall under. There will also be marquees belonging to multilateral organizations, corporations, and educational institutions.
It may not be possible to visit each and every pavilion at one go, however, these are a few that shouldn’t be missed:
- UAE Pavilion is a four-storey pavilion in the Opportunity district designed to resemble a falcon in flight. Through the displays, you may learn about Emirati culture and achievements. A specialized hospitality facility is located on the pavilion’s upper floor.
- Indian Pavilion is one of the largest pavilions at the Expo with four storeys to commemorate the country’s 75th anniversary. The pavilion is made up of 600 colourful kinetic-capable bricks that depict the theme “India on the Move.” There will be cultural festivals and stalls where tourists may experience Indian food.
- Italy Pavilion holds a beautiful life-size copy of Michelangelo’s David that would be impossible to miss. One of the world’s largest 3D printers was used to create the 16th-century masterpiece.
- Ethiopian Pavilion lets you take a journey, exactly like the ancients did. Starting in a dimly lit cave, you will go through Ethiopia’s prehistoric period before arriving at a modern facility that displays the country’s manufacturing industry.
The Future of Food: Epochal Banquet, by London-based creative company Bompas & Parr, positioned in the Sustainability area, will be one of the magnificent culinary shows. From super-light delicacies formed using the same technique by NASA to collect comet dust to edible creations that glow in the dark, flavour-changing desserts, ultra-rare ingredients including new plants, and much more, the ground-breaking food spread has been inspired by space, microbiology, artificial intelligence, and hyper-intelligence.
Expo 2020 will not only be a celebration of achievements and innovations, it will also be a celebration of culture. As the first World Expo which will take place in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia, it will provide an exceptional opportunity for the Arab world to promote its culture, heritage, and values on a global scale, emphasizing the Arab region’s central role in sparking solutions and inspiring innovations from all corners of the globe.
TO CONCLUDE
Expo 2020 has been one of the highly anticipated events of the year with everyone from around the world coming together to celebrate the future of innovations and technology. With tickets finally being on sale, it will be a great opportunity to experience world culture and the showcasing of innovations for the future.
At Mary in Dubai, we ensure that you have the best travel experience. If you are planning a trip to Dubai between October 2021 and March 2022 and would like to pay a visit to Expo 2020, get in touch with our team to book your next adventure.