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

Pakistan National Day Ceremony

Pakistan

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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.

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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

Cultural performance during the Pakistan National Day Ceremony at Al Wasl m67998

Cultural performance during the Pakistan National Day Ceremony at Al Wasl m67999

Cultural performance during the Pakistan National Day Ceremony at Al Wasl m68002

Cultural performance during the Pakistan National Day Ceremony at Al Wasl m68003

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

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Home to four of the world’s 10 tallest mountains, Pakistan is a place where aiming for the top carries new meaning. At the alpine-looking Pakistan Pavilion, you’ll get a one-of-a-kind tour of the nation’s towering “peaks of progress” in sustainability, sport, science and much more.

Immersive exhibitions await in the pavilion’s wings - five wings, honouring Pakistan’s provinces. Whether it’s exploring the nation’s recent planting of one billion new trees, plucking textile threads to create symphonies of traditional Pakistani music or learning about the World Cup footballs (made in Pakistan since 1970), the pavilion has many unique experiences.


The Pakistan pavilion's five gently rounded, summit-like structures of varying heights are arranged in a U-shape around a recessed courtyard. Each slope-topped peak, which represents one of Pakistan’s five provinces, is textured with a cross-hatch design of reflective metal plating with a rainbow-like sheen. 

 into Pakistan

A metaphoric window

Pakistan Pavilion 

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Pakistan logo

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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?

Learnings and insights from the World Majlis conversations on Urban and Rural Development

Insight Report from Urban and Rural Development Week

Learnings and insights from the World Majlis conversations on Urban and Rural Development


Insight Report from Urban & Rural Development Week

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Creating a blueprint for future smart cities

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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

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Siemens 

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UN Habitat

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Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN)

Urban & Rural Development Week

Join us in celebrating the UAE 50th National Day at Expo 2020

Flag of the United Arab Emirates

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UAE Image Gallery

Open-heartedness and ambition are values captured by the UAE Pavilion, designed by renowned architect Santiago Calatrava. The remarkable building is reminiscent of a falcon in flight, inspired by our national bird. Once inside, go on a multisensory journey that chronicles the rise of a nation of “dreamers who do”. Traverse a dreamlike landscape filled with dunes of real sand to learn about our nation’s founding father Sheikh Zayed, the natural wonders of the Emirates and their rapid modernisation. Be inspired by stories of the UAE dreamers building an inclusive future as the desert sun filters through the pavilion’s oculus. 

The design of the UAE Pavilion evokes a falcon in flight; referencing the Emirates’ traditional art of falconry. The main building resembles a titanic oval, with a grand, four storey entrance set into the tip. More than 25 feather-like panels are arranged at the dome of the pavilion, each curving down toward the entry of the structure. 

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and powerful

Graceful

UAE Pavilion

UAE 50th National Day

Join us in celebrating Dominica National Day at Expo 2020.

Dominica 

Dominica Pavilion

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Dominica Carousel

This Caribbean nation, nicknamed “Nature Island”, is an eco-adventure, where you can snorkel in waters fizzing with volcanic bubbles or soak in hot springs after a day of hiking along its 240 kilometre National Trail. Fall for its rustic charms at the Dominica Pavilion, where you can enjoy island music, taste native foods, and get to know its indigenous people. 
The island boasts the highest number of centenarians per capita in the world, a fact they credit to their diet and relaxed lifestyle. One thing this laid back nation is serious about? Becoming the first climate resilient island in the world to better face the challenges of the future.

Pakistan National Day Ceremony

Pakistan National Day Ceremony

Participants

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Pakistan National Day.