Tourism is an exciting industry with the capacity to be a force for good to help improve governments’ efficiency, accessibility and accountability. Join us and be part of discussions on how we can leverage connectivity to foster greater trade and integration between the nations and citizens of the world. Together, we can harness the power of digitization to create a fit-for-purpose tourism industry with a greater sense of responsibility towards people and planet. 

The Future of Travel is Here

travel and connectivity

Join us for a day of lightning talks, discussions and case study presentations focusing on how we can harness the power of travel and connectivity to power a more sustainable future.

Physical and digital connectivity not only brings us all closer together, but are also the bedrock of healthy and empowered societies. Under this Theme Week, Expo will explore the ways in which technology is being harnessed to better fields of mobility, health, travel and much more. Smart and sustainable mobility, AI (artificial intelligence) for good, virtual learning, remote work, and data privacy are among the myriad issues that will be addressed. 


Navigating a Changing World

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How will we balance the impact of digital expansion with our physical reality?

Travel & Connectivity Week

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Connecting the business community with a world of possibilities in the most dynamic city in the Middle East.

Dubai Chamber Website

As an Official Partner for Expo 2020 Dubai, Dubai Chamber is playing a key role in creating new connections and fostering cross-border collaboration. The Chamber is providing a platform for UAE companies and their international counterparts to network at its on-site facility at Expo 2020. It is also hosting a number of high-profile events during Expo, including the Global Business Forum (GBF) Africa, GBF Latin America, GBF ASEAN, the 12th World Chambers Congress and the 5th edition of the Global Islamic Economy Summit.

Creating an Expo of business opportunities

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Dubai Chamber

Estonia 1

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Estonia Image Gallery

Offering everything from online tax filing to internet elections to quick business registration via your mobile device, Estonia is one of the world’s first e-governments, a true digital-first society. With a luminous design that draws inspiration from the circuitry that powers it, the Estonia Pavilion shares the Baltic nation’s digital innovations with Expo 2020.

Inside, visitors can tour a futuristic model e-classroom and walk beneath illuminated data “clouds” based on the country’s X-Road online infrastructure – but it’s not all digital here. You can also taste Nordic-inspired Estonian cuisine at the on-site restaurant.


Estonia

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Estonia Pavilion

Travel and Connectivity Business Forum

World Expos have long been inflection points for global progress and innovation where governments and citizens have united to form enduring partnerships and generate opportunities in business. We have built an exciting offering through which entities such as governments, the private sector and others can harness the power of global trade and exchange to shape a better world. 

The Thrive Together Track of Expo 2020 Dubai’s Programme for People and Planet features a tapestry of event series and experiences that focus on building a resilient global economy, one that enables strong economic growth and partnerships. 

Enabling Economic Growth and Partnerships

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Thrive Together 

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As cities around the world grow and expand, mobility and connectivity have become critical factors for a balanced and prosperous urban life. Not long ago, flying cars and floating pods called “hyperloops” seemed like objects out of a science fiction novel. Now they are right on our doorstep.  

A city’s connectivity relies on the infrastructure that flows between neighbourhoods and urban centres carrying people and goods. With close to 70 percent of the world’s population expected to live in cities by 2050, transportation will be crucial to quality of life and wellbeing in some of the most densely populated urban centres on Earth.  

Mobility and connectivity have become major factors in economic growth, prosperity, and higher living standards. Let’s explore how innovative mobility solutions can improve urban life and how they could benefit communities equally and safely.

Mobilising a Brighter Urban Future

Busy City

In collaboration with India, this discussion explores how transport and connectivity positively impact quality of life, access to opportunities and urban sustainability.

Session Programme - Cities on the Move

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

Cities on the Move - Documents 

India 1

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India Image gallery


With its enormous population and diversity of ancient traditions, India is a place of incredible richness and complexity. The India Pavilion offers a new take on the country that goes beyond its famed culture and stunning landscapes to show a rising economic power that is very much open for business. The pavilion focuses on “New India”, an emerging global hub for innovation, inspiration and investment. Its wide variety of exhibits feature not just the food, tea and Bollywood entertainment that so many know and love, but also the country’s modern-day advancements in technology, aerospace, manufacturing and more.


India flag

Image Gallery

The India pavilion is a four-level rectangular structure, covered on its upper three floors with rotating tiles in hues of red, orange, and white. 

This kinetic exterior surface also serves as a screen for projected images, such as the face of Mahatma Gandhi. The bottom level features a plate-glass façade. 

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India

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India Pavilion

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?

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

Eithne Treanor is a professional conference moderator and international communications consultant. Having worked as a business TV reporter, her knowledge covers energy, technology, security, infrastructure, and leadership. She is the managing director and founder of E Treanor Media based in Dubai, UAE. In recent months, she has moved her reporting and moderating skills online to facilitate a number of major global conferences. As a former international broadcast journalist, her TV reporting experience spans major television networks including ABC News, Sky News, BBC World, Bloomberg and CNBC International. 

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Eithne Treanor (Moderator)

Dr OP Agarwal has been CEO of the World Resources Institute India since 2017. He was previously a member of the Indian Administrative Service, the premier civil service in India, from 1979 to 2007 and has held positions with the national and state government of Assam, including Joint Secretary (Urban Transport) in the national Ministry of Urban Development and Secretary for Transport. He was the principal author of the National Urban Transport Policy for the country, adopted in 2006. He also worked in the World Bank for 6 years as its global Urban Transport Adviser.

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Dr OP Agarwal

In his 18 years of experience, Eng Reyad Al-Kharabsheh has supervised Planning, Construction, and operations for Public Transport Network in Amman. He has also worked as Project Manager to Amman Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Project; the ﬁrst mass transit project in Amman. 

Executive Manager, Public Transport Infrastructure Projects Directorate, Jordan 


Eng Reyad Al-Kharabsheh

Josh Giegel is the CEO and Co-Founder of Virgin Hyperloop where he is leading a team of engineers making hyperloop a reality. Josh founded the company in 2014, when hyperloop was an idea drawn on a whiteboard in a garage. A little over two years later, VH built a full-scale prototype capturing the attention of governments worldwide. Today, Josh is leading the development of paradigm shifting electromagnetic, high power, autonomous technology, bridging the engineering work with unparalleled passenger experience, and working at the highest levels of government to develop a regulatory framework for hyperloop technology. In November 2020, Josh made history becoming one of the first passengers in the world to ride on a hyperloop. 

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Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder, Virgin Hyperloop

Josh Giegel 

Secretary to the Government of India in the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs since June 2017, Durga Shanker Mishra is a 1984 batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer from Uttar Pradesh cadre. He has held various senior assignments in Union and State Governments covering Revenue Administration, Internal Security, Vigilance, Civil Aviation, Tourism, Sports, Agriculture and Research, Taxation, Medical and Health, Mining, and Urban Development. He has served as Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh for over two years.


Secretary to the Government of India in the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.

Durga Shanker Mishra

Vipul Roongta has spent 24 years in the real estate sector, 16 of which have been with HDFC Group, where he currently manages one of the largest residential ﬁnancing platforms in India, focusing on development and technology businesses across the affordable and mid-income housing ecosystem. Vipul is a member of the Alternative Investment Policy Advisory Committee of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), having served on various boards and industry associations including the National Committee on Housing and Real Estate at Confederation of Indian Industries (CII), South Asia Board of Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). He is also Co-Chair Real Estate of the Indian Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (IVCA).

Managing Director & CEO of HDFC Capital Advisors Ltd (HCAL), India 


Vipul Roongta

As Managing Director for Mace Consult in Middle East and North Africa (MENA), Mark A Taylor brings more than 25 years of global experience in construction, property and engineering. 
Since joining Mace in 2013, he has grown the company's portfolio of project and programme management and cost consultancy services in MENA by 48% and led the expansion into new markets, such as Saudi Arabia, Maldives and Egypt. Under his leadership, Mace has delivered some of the most iconic projects and programmes in the Middle East, including Ain Dubai and Expo 2020 Dubai.

Managing Director, Consultancy, MENA, Mace Group, UAE

Mark A Taylor

As the Chairperson for the newly formed region of Africa, Middle East, India, Europe and Oceania (AMIEO), Guillaume leads Nissan's largest region, covering over 140 markets across four continents with a population of around 3.8 billion people, representing more than 30% of global vehicle sales. With over 25 years serving at Nissan and Mitsubishi across multiple roles covering global and regional operations, Guillaume brings a wealth of experience and a keen focus on business transformation.

Chairperson, Africa, Middle East, India, Europe and Oceania (AMIEO), Nissan Motor Corporation

Guillaume Cartier

Peter Newman is the Professor of Sustainability at Curtin University. He has written 22 books and over 360 papers on sustainable cities and worked to deliver his ideas at all levels of government having been an elected councilor, seconded to advise three Premiers, and a member of the Board of Infrastructure Australia 2008-14. He is the Co-ordinating Lead Author for the UN’s IPCC on Transport. In 2014 he was awarded an Order of Australia for his contributions to urban design and sustainable transport. In 2018-19 he was the WA Scientist of the Year. 

Professor of Sustainability at Curtin University, Australia 


Professor Peter Newman AO

World Majlis | Cities on the Move: Moving Around to Move Up

Explore a series of exciting conversations inspired by the theme of Expo 2020 Dubai. The World Majlis is a vibrant forum where diverse points of views are shared on important topics of our time. Each conversation brings together globally recognised thought-leaders who are invited for their exceptional contributions to the theme and their unique perspective on the topic. In each Majlis, students and members of the public are also welcome to contribute and engage.

World Majlis

Conversations on complex issues that bring together thought leaders, visionaries and changemakers.

World Expos have always been meeting places for people across cultures and geographies; an opportunity to come together and celebrate human ingenuity and forge meaningful human connections. As the first World Expo to be held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region, and with the participation of more than 192 countries, Expo 2020 Dubai looks to take this legacy even further. The Build Bridges track of Expo 2020 Dubai’s Programme for People and Planet features a tapestry of event series and experiences that celebrate our common humanity and the vital connections that can help us prosper together as a worldwide community.

Knowing One Another Better

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Build Bridges 

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There is great power in the connection made over a shared idea. 
Conversations can mend bridges between warring factions or build 
empathy between different cultures. They can spark a great idea and build the coalition for change to make it happen. This idea is at the core of Expo 2020 and the World Majlis – connecting minds and creating the future. How can the power of conversation be better harnessed to build new collaborations for a better future? How do you set up the conditions for constructive, open dialogue? And do our digital tools offer new ways to have these conversations? This special World Majlis brings together diverse thought leaders and visionaries to open the Golden Jubilee month by turning the conversation back on itself.

A Better Future is Built Together 

Al Wasl dome

A special World Majlis session bringing together thought leaders and visionaries to reflect on the power conversations to build bridges across cultures, geographies and ideologies.

Session programme - Power of Conversations

Architecture II: Al Wasl Plaza

EXHIBITOR Magazine's World Expo Awards

EXHIBITOR Magazine Announces World Expo Award Winners

Al Wasl Plaza

Al Wasl 

Al Wasl Plaza Images

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 

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.

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.

Daily performances, national day ceremonies and more

Immersive 360-degree domed projection screen

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. 

Al Wasl Plaza 360° Immersive Experiences

The Beating Heart of Expo 2020

Cheri-Leigh Erasmus speaks during the World Majlis, The Power of Conversations at Al Wasl Stage m9272

Dr Jay Wang speaks during the World Majlis, The Power of Conversations at Al Wasl stage m9286

Gordon Gill speaks during the World Majlis, The Power of Conversations at Al Wasl stage m9288

Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation, Director General, Expo 2020 Dubai speaks during the World Majlis m9283

His Excellency Dr Abdulla Al Karam during the World Majlis, The Power of Conversations at Al Wasl Stage m9262

Jorge Perez Jaramillo speaks during the World Majlis, The Power of Conversations at Al Wasl Stage m9287

Participants of the World Majlis, The Power of Conversations at Al Wasl Stage m9278

Sameer Hashmi speaks during the World Majlis, The Power of Conversations at Al Wasl stage m9290

Sarah Lynn Rees speaks during the World Majlis, The Power of Conversations at Al Wasl stage m9289

World Majlis | The Power of Conversations

Expo 2020 coincides with the United Arab Emirates' biggest national celebration yet – the UAE's UAE 50th National Day. To commemorate this historic event, Expo 2020 Dubai will celebrate the UAE’s extraordinary journey over the last 50 years, while also looking towards the next 50. It will share with every visitor the joy and pride that Emiratis have for their nation and their ambitious and inclusive vision for a global future.

Description

Golden Jubilee

Celebrate the UAE’s extraordinary journey over the last 50 years as well as the next 50.

Travel and Connectivity Business Forum

The Future of Travel is Here

Participants

Travel & Connectivity Week.

This event is part of the
Thrive Together .

The Future of Travel is Here

Participants

Travel & Connectivity Week.

This event is part of theThrive Together .

This event is part of the
Thrive Together .