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

Central African Republic National Day Ceremony

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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.

Al Wasl 4

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

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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

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Join us in celebrating Central African Republic National Day

CAR - Copie

A land of rich natural beauty and resilient people, the Central African Republic (CAR) shares a message of perseverance and cooperation at its pavilion, which focuses on the country’s enthusiastic efforts to combat deforestation and safeguard traditional farming practices. 
Explore the pavilion, designed to evoke the unique homes of forest-dwelling tribes, then learn about CAR’s sustainable initiatives, from understanding the lifecycle of the forest to designing improved wood cook stoves and ambitious plans for a new solar energy plant. 

Central African Republic Pavilion

Central African Republic National Day

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CAR Carousel

Central Africa logo (Flag)

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Central African Republic National Day Ceremony 

A two-day high-level conference that aims at showcasing and mobilising support for strategic continental infrastructure and energy projects in Africa. The conference will highlight, among others, the recently adopted Second Phase of Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA PAP2), the African Integrated High-Speed Rail Network (AIHSRN) project, the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), the African Single Electricity Market (AfSEM), the Continental Power System Master Plan (CMP), and the Digital Transformation Strategy for Africa.

High-level personalities and thought leaders from the continent will discuss the African vision for transformational infrastructure and energy development engaging stakeholders on the effective delivery of infrastructure and energy in Africa taking into account the already existing initiatives and frameworks as well as the investment opportunities in the sectors.


Transforming Africa's Infrastructure for the 21st Century

Spotlights on Africa Infrastructure

Learn about infrastructure development in Africa in the energy, transport, ICT, water sectors.

31 OCT - Spotlights on Africa Infrastructure Development V3

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Africa Infrastructure 2

World Cities Day at Expo 2020 Dubai will focus on reimagining the future of cities to become more inclusive, resilient and dynamic. With a focus on climate solutions, the Day will be brought to life through a series of discussions, dialogues, and showcases of best practices to explore how to collectively adopt a green recovery for more sustainable, smart, resilient and livable urban environments.

A Place for Everyone

World Cities Day

Access to safe and affordable living conditions is a fundamental right. More than 70 per cent of the world’s population is forecasted to live in cities by 2050 and over one billion are already living in informal communities. As the demand for both cities and communities escalate, Expo will bring together experts, citizens, and governments to re-think the way in which habitats are designed and managed. From innovative transport, sustainable housing and green public spaces to renewable energy and circular economies, living spaces of the future will be imagined as resilient, sustainable and inclusive.  

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 How do we live and grow in harmony with our planet?

Insight Report from Urban & Rural Development Week

Creating a blueprint for future smart cities

Siemens is a global technology powerhouse that unites the digital and 
physical worlds to benefit society through its focus on smart infrastructure, digital industries, and intelligent mobility solutions. As Expo 2020 Dubai’s Premier Partner for Infrastructure Digitalisation, Siemens is reshaping the future of urban living by creating a blueprint for the smart cities of the future. By integrating its technology, the company is helping to create history’s most digitalised, sustainable and secure Expo. Siemens is also an anchor tenant at District 2020, the future city that will live on as a legacy of Expo 2020 Dubai.

Creating a blueprint for smarter cities

Siemens 

UN Habitat

Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN)

Urban & Rural Development Week

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African Union

Comprising 55 Member States with 1.3 billion citizens, the African Union is a vast coalition that seeks to propel all of the continent’s people toward a peaceful, prosperous future. At the African Union Pavilion, you’ll embark on a journey from storied history to the vibrant future as you learn about the AU’s collective vision for transforming Africa into a global powerhouse.

The pavilion’s experience begins with black-and-white footage of inspiring speeches from great African leaders, before emerging into a colourful exhibition space that explores the AU’s cultures, initiatives and thriving future. 


Afrincan Union

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African Union Pavilion

Spotlights on Africa | Africa Infrastructure Conference - Day 1

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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The road to river blindness elimination in Niger has been half a century long. Just ten years ago, this momentous occasion was considered impossible in Africa. Thankfully, science is not stagnant: it evolves at pace with our collective ingenuity and collaboration. Innovation and technology are a central component of the support of the Reaching the Last Mile Fund and they have played a critical role in achieving, and then proving, that a Niger free from onchocerciasis is possible. The last mile of disease elimination is the most challenging phase. Proving that decades of treatment and vector control have been effective, and thus ending needless expenditure of resources on a public threat that no longer exists, poses an incredible technical challenge. Today, Niger is finalizing the dossier for the WHO’s verification of elimination of transmission, becoming the first country in Africa to ever reach this point. This event will feature the perspectives of the public health leaders that have made this achievement possible and the ecosystem of partners that have supported Niger in this monumental effort. 

The END of River Blindness

River Blindness - Mali

Exploring how Niger achieved what was once thought impossible, and what it means for the world.

Shining a Light on the END of Preventable Blindness

A two-day high-level conference that aims at showcasing and mobilising support for strategic continental infrastructure and energy projects in Africa. The conference will highlight, among others, the recently adopted Second Phase of Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA PAP2), the African Integrated High-Speed Rail Network (AIHSRN) project, the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), the African Single Electricity Market (AfSEM), the Continental Power System Master Plan (CMP), and the Digital Transformation Strategy for Africa. High-level personalities and thought leaders from the continent will discuss the African vision for transformational infrastructure and energy development, engaging stakeholders on the effective delivery of infrastructure and energy in Africa while taking into account the already existing initiatives and frameworks as well as the investment opportunities in the sectors.


Learn about infrastructure development in Africa in the energy, transport, ICT and water sectors.

Dubai Exhibition Centre - Audio Guide

Dubai Exhibition Center

Dubai Exhibition Center 3

Expo 2020 connects minds from around the globe. These connections are not limited to the pavilions and parks, but also extend to the vast Dubai Exhibition Centre: a new, state-of-the-art venue for conferences, concerts and more. 

Conveniently located next to the recently completed Expo 2020 metro station, with striking views of the magnificent domed Al Wasl Plaza, the DEC offers 45,000 square metres of customisable event space, 14 exhibition and multi-use halls, on-site catering, and best-in-class audio-visual resources.


A light geometric pattern decorates the DEC’s extraordinarily broad front façade, which features a giant overhanging arch over the entrance to the central plaza area, as well as sloped surfaces that seem to angle away from the entrance like a pair of wings

Central African Republic National Day Ceremony

Central African Republic National Day Ceremony

Participants

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Central African Republic National Day.