Celebrate the International Organisation of la Francophonie's Honour Day at Expo 2020 Dubai and immerse yourself in the nation's incredible culture.

International Organisation of la Francophonie Honour Day Ceremony

Inside Expo_New

Architecture II: Al Wasl Plaza

Exhibitor logo

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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

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

Cultural performance during the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie Honour Day Ceremony at Al Wasl m66032

Cultural performance during the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie Honour Day Ceremony at Al Wasl m66037

Cultural performance during the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie Honour Day Ceremony at Al Wasl m66039

Cultural performance during the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie Honour Day Ceremony at Al Wasl m66040

Cultural performance during the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie Honour Day Ceremony at Al Wasl m66041

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

International Organisation of la Francophonie Honour Day

As part of the International Day of La Francophonie at Expo 2020 Dubai, the OIF (Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie) is organizing a series of four conferences in "Ted Talks" format to promote innovations and young talents in the Francophonie of the future. This second meeting focuses on the theme: "the African continent, a space of opportunity and creativity". Keynote speakers include the Nigerien drone designer and manufacturer Aziz Kountche alongside Astria Fataki from the French Democratic Republic of Congo, who is a social entrepreneur, Founder of Energy Generation, and Founder of the Business & Energy School.


The African Continent, a Space of Opportunity and Creativity

International Francophonie Day

A conference in "TEDx" format to promote innovations and young talents from the Francophonie of the future. In this second meeting, the talk discusses the theme 'Africa, a space of opportunity and creativity'.

Inside Expo: Sustainability I: The World’s Oldest Innovator

Inside Expo: Sustainability II: Harnessing the Sun

The Powerhouse Pavilions

Terra - The Sustainability Pavilion - Audio Guide

Terra

stamp Terra

Terra - Carousel

At Expo 2020, sustainability is an urgent, attainable reality, and Terra – The Sustainability Pavilion is the proof. Both immersive exhibition space and exemplar of environmental self-sufficiency, Terra is a pioneering piece of architecture that pushes the limits of renewable design.

The pavilion’s 130-metre-wide solar canopy – so vast that you could park 10 city buses head-to-tail atop it – converts sunshine into electricity for the exhibits below. Artfully funnelled natural light and local plant species, together with technologies that can reduce water consumption by 75 per cent, show the way to a sustainable future.


Inspiring experiential journey through our shared sustainable future

Two immersive paths to choose from: beneath a forest and beneath an ocean

LEED Platinum environmental features, including solar power and water recycling

Terra 

terra

Videos

Terra is a super-sized marvel of forward-thinking design. The pavilion’s technology generates enough energy in a year to power a Nissan Leaf to drive halfway to Mars, while another system captures moisture from the air you breathe and turns it into drinkable water. Enter and take a fantastical journey through the wonders of nature, humanity’s challenges and the promise of our shared future. 


terra 

of harmonious living

A model

The Sustainability Pavilion

Terra is home to five thought-provoking art installations from artists around the world, with each piece demonstrating a response to the issue of sustainability.

Terra Art Installations

Young visitors can explore a fantastical world inspired by Terra's very own octopus, Octavia.

Octavia's Playground

Timelapse of Terra 

Co-curated by Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie, Expo 2020 Dubai celebrates International Francophonie Day by promoting the beauty of culture and language, uniting people from across the world, and creating an environment of solidarity that encourages further global development.

The French language, Connecting for Action

International Francophonie Day 2022

International Organisation of la Francophonie (OIF): Francophone Inspirations - Day 2

This forum highlights the attractiveness of the French-speaking economic space for international investment, and the promising projects accelerated by the International Organisation of la Francophonie (OIF).

Invest in Francophonie

Ajman Chamber: Entreprenuership Forum for the Next Fifty Years

H&W Business Forum

Located close to the heart of Expo 2020 Dubai, adjacent to Al Wasl Plaza, the Business Connect Centre is a space that International Participants can utilise for events, workshops and meetings. The BCC is also host to Chambers of Commerce and trade entities from the GCC, helping to connect businesses to their counterparts. 

International Organisation of la Francophonie Honour Day Ceremony

Image Gallery

International Organisation of la Francophonie Honour Day.