Join the family of Expo 2020 Dubai in celebrating the wedding of this beautiful couple, as they join hands under the magnificent Al Wasl Dome. We wish them joy, love, and happiness as they embark on a this journey and build their new life together. A magical moment indeed!

A Special Wedding Celebration at Al Wasl Plaza

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

Al Wasl Dome 3

Join the family of Expo 2020 Dubai in celebrating the wedding of this beautiful couple, as they join hands under the magnificent Al Wasl Dome. A magical moment indeed!

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 

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.

Description 

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.

and magical

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

Given that contemporary ideas of knowledge and education have privileged the textual, other forms of cultural knowledge - oral, musical or movement based - need closer attention in  order for us to better understand our antecedents. This series of round tables, keynotes and performances will explore the preservation and knowledge of Intangible Cultural Heritage and its contribution to the development of new partnerships across sustainability, climate change, community building and coexistence. At a time of rapid and profound change in our socio-economic and natural ecosystems, intangible heritage is more likely to dissipate at an increased pace. Without rapid response, especially in regions least represented in international safeguarding efforts, we might lose these valuable practices and knowledge forever. A ‘listening pause’ gives the stage to those practitioners who are grappling with these questions in critical ways.

Protecting our Intangible Cultural Heritage

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Highlighting our collective responsibility to safeguard intangible cultural heritage.

Creating a Cultural Renaissance

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The Spain Pavilion at Expo 2020 is an open, eco-friendly exhibition that seamlessly blends ancient heritage and cutting-edge innovation.

An airy ground floor features several small, naturally cooled plazas that are ideal for relaxing or snacking on tapas. Venture underground into aroomy basement, and you’ll explore a “forest of the future” filled with thought-provoking exhibits on Spain’s contributions to global sustainability.


Spain logo

Inspired by Spain’s age-old links to the Arab world, the Spain Pavilion takes the shape of a lively field of sheer, conical towers in hues of brick, orange, and saffron yellow. Visitors venture under this vast canopy of peaks, built from reusable materials including wood, iron and fabric, to explore a series of breezy plazas. The underside of each airy dome is decorated with unique textures that reflect their exhibits: swirls of woven straw, a green canopy of plants, falls of digital water, and more. One dome also shelters a tasty tapas restaurant.

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Spain Pavilion 

Knowledge drives our global community to innovate for a better future, be it advances in medicine, sustainability, technology and more. Our planet’s rich diversity brings forward the importance of creating, storing and transferring knowledge which spans across geographies, cultures and generations. 
During this Theme Week, Expo will present and celebrate the knowledge, culture and heritage of all our participating nations, bringing them together under the UAE’s Golden Jubilee theme of Human Solidarity. Topics of discussion will include intangible and tangible heritage, creative industries, and knowledge economies, among other things. 


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How do we harness and challenge our knowledge today to prepare for the future?

Skills Development and Vocational Training

Informal and Traditional Knowledge Systems

Dubai values education as the key to helping its youngest citizens take charge of the future. Expo 2020’s host city extends that mission across the globe with Dubai Cares, a dynamic philanthropic organisation that helps children in developing countries access quality learning opportunities. At the Dubai Cares Pavilion, learn about the transformative power of education and the unique challenges facing future generations through a series of playful, immersive activities designed to engage the whole family. Sit in a futuristic learning pod, take photos in a comics-inspired exhibit and find out how you can help grow the Dubai Cares movement.

Dubai Cares Pavilion

Knowledge & Learning Week

Listening Pause

Expo 2020 Dubai will mark the UAE's Golden Jubilee in December 2021, celebrating the country's history and progress over its first 50 years, while looking ahead to the next 50 years, guided by the UAE Centennial Plan 2071. This event track features events that invite the world to join hands with the UAE to craft a meaningful legacy to create value for generations to come. 

Creating Value with the UAE

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Vision 2071

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Panel discussion focusing on rural communities gaining access to clean, affordable and reliable energy.

Expo Live Impact Series

Expo Live Impact Series | Powering up Communities with Clean Energy (and easy financing)

How can we support rural communities in gaining access to clean, affordable and reliable energy?

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 

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By Expo Live

The Good Place

Climate and Biodiversity Week to spur the world into action to protect our planet

We stand at the brink of a crucial moment in time - a moment in which we must take decisive collective action to protect our planet, and the life it sustains, for future generations. It is an opportunity for us to take our place in history as the generation that stepped up to halt climate change, and transform human activity to operate within Earth's planetary boundaries. 

Expo 2020 Dubai's Climate & Biodiversity Week convenes government decision-makers, business leaders, youth advocates and our millions of visitors to address the greatest challenge of our time and generate solutions critical to the future of our civilisation and the health of our planet. 

What's your Promise to our Planet?

Climate and Biodiversity

How do we work together to better manage climate change and protect biodiversity? 

Climate & Biodiversity Week Programme

Insight Report from Climate and Biodiversity Week

Natural Resource and Biodiversity Conservation

Climate & Biodiversity Week

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Dr. Sinead Walsh

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Vivian Vendeirinho

Cristian O Ryan ExpoLive

Cristián O'Ryan

Expo Live Impact Series | Powering up Communities with Clean Energy (and Easy Financing)

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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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.

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