Al Wasl Plaza plays host to two legendary Spanish footballers. Iker Casillas Fernández, known as 'San Iker' for his spectacular saves, is widely regarded as the best goalkeeper in Real Madrid's history, and the history of Spanish football.

Joining him on stage is Míchel Salgado Fernández, who played as a right back. Nicknamed 'Il Due', he was known for his combative tackling and attacking skills.

A Conversation with Iker Casillas and Michel Salgado

Iker Casillas and Michel Saldago

See former professional footballers Iker Casillas and Michel Salgado take part in a live conversation at Al Wasl Plaza.

Inside Expo_New

Architecture II: Al Wasl Plaza

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EXHIBITOR Magazine's World Expo Awards

EXHIBITOR Magazine Announces World Expo Award Winners

Al Wasl Plaza

Al Wasl 

Notice the Expo logo at the centre of Al Wasl Plaza's oculus.

Al Wasl Dome 3

Experience a towering structure under which the Leaning Tower of Pisa could fit.

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Al Wasl Plaza Images

The Opening Ceremony: A Story of Hope

Expo 2020 Dubai, the first Expo in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia region in the 170 years of World Expo history, opened with a celebration of global togetherness and optimism. Spectacular storytelling, performances, fireworks, and immersive projections on the dome of Al Wasl, the heart of Expo 2020, all told a story of collaboration and hope for the future, echoing Expo 2020 Dubai's theme of "Connecting Minds, Creating the Future". Global artists joining in the celebration included Andrea Bocelli, Ellie Goulding, Lang Lang and Mohammed Abdu.

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General view of Al Wasl Plaza 

The first World Expo in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia region, Expo 2020 opened with a celebration of global connection and hope for the future.

Jaw-dropping immersive projections beginning with the fiery birth of our planet.

A celebration of the majesty of nature, both underwater and on land.

Incredible local and international performers.

Image Gallery

Expo 2020 Dubai Opening Ceremony

Long ago, travellers referred to Dubai as Al Wasl, or “the connection” – a name that reflects the area’s heritage as a meeting point. This spirit of coming together takes shape in Al Wasl Plaza, Expo 2020’s spectacular centrepiece and gathering ground for celebration and wonder. 

Situated at the meeting point of Expo’s three thematic districts, Al Wasl Plaza's dome is tall enough to fit the Leaning Tower of Pisa beneath it. By night, she transforms into a 360-degree projection screen, blanketed by more than 250 state-of-the-art projectors. Al Wasl Plaza is a hub for visitors and the vibrant heart of our Expo.

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Daily performances, national day ceremonies and more

Al Wasl Dome Projections

Immersive 360-degree domed projection screen

Al Wasl exterior

Lush garden spaces for relaxation and connection

Al Wasl features

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Al Wasl Plaza 360

Al Wasl Plaza is 130 metres in diameter and more than 67 metres tall. Delicate-looking despite its titanic scale, her pattern is inspired by our Expo's logo, which is fully visible at the oculus.

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Extraordinary

The life force of the Expo 2020 site, Al Wasl Plaza proudly carries the old name of Dubai.

The beating heart of Expo 2020

A series of immersive 360° videos of Al Wasl's projection shows that put you centre stage for each stunning performance. 

DUBAI, 12 October 2021. Underwater Harmony performance at Al Wasl, Expo 2020 Dubai. (Photo by Christopher Pike/Expo 2020 Dubai)


Underwater Harmony performance at Al Wasl

Al Wasl Plaza 360° Immersive Experiences

The Beating Heart of Expo 2020

The Beating Heart of Expo

Football legends Michel Salgado (L) and Iker Casillas (R) at Al Wasl m65540

Football legends Michel Salgado (L) and Iker Casillas (R) at Al Wasl m65431

Football legends Michel Salgado (L) and Iker Casillas (R) at Al Wasl m65432

Football legends Michel Salgado (L) and Iker Casillas (R) at Al Wasl m65543

Football legends Michel Salgado (L) and Iker Casillas (R) at Al Wasl m65544

The Sustainable Menstruation Coalition (SMC) is a strategic alliance which aims to empower girls and women to reach their goals through adopting a sustainable menstruation product that is right for them.

They believe that a lack of access to well-made and comfortable menstruation products should not be a reason for a girl to drop out of education or for a woman to give up work. They envision a coalition of like-minded organisations from civil society, business and the public sector, committed to ensuring that menstruators have access to the menstrual products that are right for them, irrespective of income. The use of and access to sustainable menstruation products will also have a positive impact on reducing waste and greenhouse gas emissions, both in the short and long-term.

SMC partners act as advocates for the movement and agree to work collaboratively and generously. They all share the common goal of providing sustainable menstrual products to 100 million menstruators across India by 2030, as a means of effecting lasting change in mindsets and policies, as well as the market for sustainable menstruation hygiene products to end period poverty as we know it.

Working Together to End Period Poverty

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A panel discussion around driving change for women and girls in poverty across the world. Join the conversation via https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_9Yazx0OmR5CBV9OchPGxNA

Inside Expo: The Brave Women

Women's Pavilion - Audio Guide

Women's Pavilion 1

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Women's Pavilion Image gallery

Women make tremendous contributions to the world, yet many remain unknown or forgotten. The Women’s Pavilion in collaboration with Cartier at Expo 2020 challenges this imbalance by taking visitors on a journey through the remarkable achievements of women across the globe. Our showcase underscores the principle that “When women thrive, all of humanity thrives”.

The pavilion showcases the exceptional accomplishments of women, world-famous and unknown. Immerse yourself in the triumphs of women through history, discover the journeys women have taken to claim their equality and dive into the stories of the inspirational women shaping our future.


Globe-spanning tour of women’s achievements and ongoing challenges

Multisensory exhibition created by actor/artist Mélanie Laurent and Emirati artists

Majlis-inspired social space for live conversations and events

Women's 

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Reflecting the UAE’s commitment to women’s empowerment and gender equality, the Women’s Pavilion serves as a catalyst for social transformation, both in Dubai and far beyond. By championing exceptional women, it aims to inspire dialogue, shatter gender misconceptions, and leave a lasting legacy of positive change for women worldwide.

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inspiring change

Championing women, 

Women's Pavilion 

Sustainable Menstruation Coalition: Towards Ending Period Poverty

Under the title “New Perspectives”, the Women’s World Majlis programme invites you to recognise a fundamental principle: when women thrive, humanity thrives.

The programme highlights the impact women have made on society and shines a light on their often forgotten contributions. By shifting perspectives, we embrace the infinite approaches to a more balanced world.

A common vision for a unique collaboration; sustainable development goals and aspirations for a peaceful and prosperous world cannot be achieved without gender equality and women’s empowerment.

Sharing this vision, Expo 2020 Dubai and Cartier celebrate women changemakers around the globe, asserting our conviction that innovative collaboration between the private sector, civil society and committed individuals is the pathway to meaningful change.

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Women's Pavilion

When women thrive, humanity thrives. A common vision for a unique collaboration.

Women’s Pavilion Majlis

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The COVID-19 crisis has highlighted existing (gender) inequalities in healthcare professions as well as the acute challenges of being a frontline female healthcare worker. These range from rising work pressure due to understaffing, to increased violence, to underrepresentation in decision-making and a wide variety of gender biases at the institutional, executive and patient-level. Healthcare workers are the beating heart of health system across the work. The vast majority of these professionals, around 70 percent, is female. Global demand for health workers is on the rise, but at the same time, the profession is becoming rapidly less attractive. By 2030, we might see a shortfall of 18 million healthcare workers, according to WHO estimates. While the problem is acute across the world, it is most pronounced in low- and lower-middle income countries. Frontline healthcare workers risk their lives to save others and deserve all our support. But while the pandemic response has been combined with outbursts of public support for those saving lives, their day-to-day reality remains full of challenges. The most pressing of these might be that of growing violence against healthcare workers. To illustrate, between 2016 and 2020, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) counted no less than 3,780 attacks on healthcare workers and facilities. Most likely, with most cases unrecorded, this is only the “tip of the iceberg”. But the increase in work floor violence is just one of the many challenges female frontline workers face. There are many other stressors, which are less visible and as such, often perceived as less acute. These include underrepresentation in decision-making, with just 30% of all C-suite executives across the health-industry being women3, as well as double care duties when domestic housework also falls on these professionals. Another deep-rooted problem is that of implicit gender-career biases.  

Women on the Frontline

women in healthcare

Thought leaders, changemakers and visionaries come together to discuss the implicit and explicit challenges faced by women health workers. 

Inside Expo: The Future is Well

The global pandemic has tested our interconnected world. Expo presents an important opportunity for all stakeholders in the health sector to design an inclusive, crisis-proof global health system that is fit for the future. The very latest health and medical technology will also be on display, including systems that are transforming how communities access healthcare and fight disease outbreaks. The programme will highlight how innovation and investment in health and wellness can contribute to a healthier, happier global community. 

health and wellness week

 How can we create a healthy, happy world?

Health & Wellness Week

Women's World Majlis | Women on the Frontline or In the Line of Fire?

Back in 2015, United Nations unveiled the Sustainable Development Goals as a means to work towards a better future. Expo 2020 Dubai’s purpose embodies the two main pillars of these goals: sustainability and opportunity. The global COVID-19 pandemic has further proved the urgency of this global agenda. As this mega-event takes place, Expo 2020 Dubai will become the center of commitment and action in ensuring that no one is left behind. The Leave No One Behind Track of Expo 2020 Dubai's Programme for People and Planet features a tapestry of event series that spotlight the importance of opportunity for all, gender equality and much more.

Catalysing Opportunity for All

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Leave No One Behind

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A panel discussion highlighting solutions that empower those with speech and hearing impairments in innovative ways.

Giving Everyone a Voice

Giving everyone a voice

Dubai: ‘Expo Live’ benefits 5.8 million people worldwide

Expo 2020 Dubai to fund small start-ups with big impact

Inside Expo: The Future of Wellness

The Good Place - Audio Guide

The Good Place by Expo Live Pavilion

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The Good Place Image Gallery

In February 1968, this nation's founding fathers met under a desert tent and shared an idea that would turn into something truly great: the United Arab Emirates. Animated by this spirit of collaboration, The Good Place by Expo Live is an exhibition space dedicated to showcasing human potential and those who work to advance it – through the Expo Live innovation and partnership programme and beyond.

With a design inspired by the tent where the UAE was conceived, the pavilion showcases social innovations conceived to improve our lives. Come and meet ordinary people doing extraordinary things – and be inspired to join our global community.


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Designed by renowned Emirati architect Ahmad Abdulrahman Bukhash, The Good Place’s structure expands the Bedouin tent shape into an elegant white canopy, folded with seven origami-like angles on each side to join at a tall peak. The tent seems to float over a clean, glass box. 

The Good Place by Expo Live

Bedouin tent 

An elevated

By Expo Live

The Good Place

Ilze Zaharane

Hector Costa

Expo Live Impact Series: Giving Everyone a Voice

Expo Live's Impact Series highlights the impact of social and environmental innovations. Taking place at The Good Place by Expo Live Pavilion, Expo Live Global Innovators join change-makers around the world to discuss their visions towards collective action and meaningful change.

Join a dialogue about social innovations and their impact showcasing Expo Live Global Innovators.