Celebrate ASEAN's National Day at Expo 2020 Dubai and immerse yourself in the nation's incredible culture.

ASEAN Honour Day Ceremony

ASEAN

Inside Expo_New

Architecture II: Al Wasl Plaza

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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.

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.

UAE flag

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

Al Wasl Logo-01

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

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ASEAN National Day Parade m22249

Join us in celebrating ASEAN's Honour Day at Expo 2020

The large teakwood arch that spans the entry of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) Pavilion is based on the elaborate gateways that welcome visitors to villages throughout its diverse 10 member nations. Experience the friendly spirit of these interconnected countries at ASEAN’s Expo 2020 pavilion. Pose in a photo booth stocked with traditional costumes of ASEAN member states, admire a curated sampling of authentic artwork and artefacts, or help build an architectural puzzle. Then, embark on the ASEAN Trail Challenge to visit all its members’ pavilions at Expo.


ASEAN Pavilion

ASEAN Honour Day

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

Join us in celebrating Belgium's National Day at Expo 2020

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Belgian comic book character Tintin is always on the move, so it’s only fitting that the country’s showcase honours his colourful legacy. The Belgium Pavilion at Expo 2020 offers a unique comics-inspired tour of the future of mobility, letting you see yourself as a character as you explore smart infrastructure, self-driving vehicles and more.

The pavilion’s lush, curved exterior takes the form of a “green arch”, which uses sustainable technologies to produce more energy than it uses. Inside, you’ll dive into a fun comic-strip world of interactive walls and expeditions into the Belgium of 2050. Don’t miss the country’s famous fries!


Belgium Logo

Sparked by the concept of a “Green Arch”, the Belgium Pavilion takes the form of a vast four-storey rectangular structure draped in lush greenery. A large welcoming arch carved out of the first and second floors allows visitors to cut diagonally through the entire building. Nearly 100 vertical strips of blonde wood line the longest façades of the pavilion, stretching upwards to evoke the ribs of a great ship. 

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Belgium Pavilion

Belgium National Day

Join us in celebrating Venezuela's National Day at Expo 2020

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For centuries, the indigenous Yanomami people of Venezuela’s Amazon rainforest have dwelled in grand, ring-like communal huts called shabonos. With its colourful shabono-inspired circular architecture and luminous central skylight, the Venezuela Pavilion brings the nation’s timeless collaborative spirit to Expo 2020. The pavilion’s exhibits focus on Venezuela’s greatest resources: its people and natural splendour. Explore the country’s rich folklore and craftsmanship, discover its incredible sand-to-snow ecological diversity and unwind with fresh coffee and chocolate at the pavilion’s restaurant and tasting room.


Venezuela logo

Bright and cheery, the Venezuela Pavilion is a large cube, decorated with white vertical slats that cover all four faces of the building. A second layer of shorter vertical slats form a wide, wave-like band across the middle of each wall, coloured in a shifting rainbow that represents the tones of Venezuelan nature as well as its national flag.

ASEAN Honour Day Ceremony

Image Gallery

ASEAN Honour Day.