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.

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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

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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 

Spotlights on Africa 

Highlighting progress on the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and solutions for early warning systems in Africa.

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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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

African union

African Union Pavilion

H.E Josefa Leonel Correia Sacko

H.E Mami Mizutori

Harsen Nyambe

Kai Gatkuoth

Ibrahim Mohammed

Amos Makarau

Cecilia Aipira

Amjad Abbashar

Benard Onzima

Ibrahima C. Diong

Spotlights on Africa | Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate

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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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.


Transforming Africa's Infrastructure for the 21st Century

Spotlights on Africa Infrastructure

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

31 OCT - Spotlights on Africa Infrastructure Development V3

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Dubai Exhibition Centre - Audio Guide

Dubai Exhibition Center

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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

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Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC)

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

Spotlights on Africa | Africa Infrastructure Conference - Day 2

This theatrical musical performance is based on the fascinating life of late Nigerian political activist and musical maestro, Fela Anikulapo Kuti (1938-1997). An extraordinary event not to be missed.

Fela and the Kalakuta Queens

Fela and the Kalakuta

An extraordinary performance based on the life of late Nigerian political activist and musical maestro, Fela Anikulapo Kuti.


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With a striking design inspired by fossilised sand dunes, Jubilee Stage is an open-air festival stage. Located in Jubilee Park, it hosts performances and large concerts.

Jubilee Stage

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Nigeria Image Gallery

Boasting 200 million people – including 20 million in Lagos alone – Nigeria has earned the nickname “Giant of Africa” for its booming population and large, expanding economy. The Nigeria Pavilion showcases the nation’s impressive growth with a uniquely urban experience: a lively Nigerian streetscape, rich with exhibits on the nation’s values. Check out video installations on the country’s economic sectors, gaze up at the Tower of Opportunities and learn about Nigerian culture along Enterprising Avenue.


Central African Republic National Day Ceremony

Central African Republic National Day Ceremony

Participants

Image Gallery

Central African Republic National Day.