Join us in celebrating the United Nations Honour Day at Expo 2020 Dubai.

United Nations Honour Day Ceremony 

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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

Ms Amina J Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations and Chair of the United Nations Sustainable Development Group speaks during the United Nations Honour Day Ceremony m6137

United Nations Honour Day Parade m6157

Join us in celebrating the UN's Honour Day at Expo 2020.

UN Flag

United Nations Honour Day 

United Nations Honour Day Ceremony

Taking place over the course of one day at the Dubai Exhibition Center, this summit highlights opportunities on how to accelerate action on SDG5 implementation with a focus on the "Role of the Private Sector in Overcoming Barriers and Advancing Opportunities for Women’s Economic Empowerment". Senior level officials gather from the public and private sectors, academia, media, and civil society and women organizations including signatories of the Women Empowerment Principles (WEPs), members of the Unstereotype Alliance, partners of UN Women throughout the world in an effort to drive engagement and dialogue on commitments to deliver progress on SDG5. The Summit offers a platform for the sharing of best practices and co-creation and acceleration of solutions for a more equal and balanced world for all.

SDG 5 Summit: Gender Equality Today for a Sustainable Tomorrow

Georgian Grandmasters' Contribution to Women's Empowerment

In this summit, high level officials shed light on SDG5 implementation, focusing on the role of the private sector in overcoming barriers and advancing opportunities for women’s economic empowerment.

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

Dubai Exhibition centre 2

event space

A sleek

Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC)

Her Excellency Dr Dena Assaf, UN resident Coordinator for the UAE speaks during the UN Women SDG 5 Summit at Dubai Exhibition Centre m60791

Her Excellency Dr Nawal Al Hosany, Permanent Representative of the UAE to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) speaks during the UN Women SDG 5 Summit at Dubai Exhibition Centre m60796

His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan (L2), UAE Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence Commissioner General of Expo 2020 Dubai and Anita Bhatiam (R2), Assistant Secretary General of the United Nations and Deputy Executive Director

His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, UAE Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence Commissioner General of Expo 2020 Dubai speaks during the UN Women SDG 5 Summit at Dubai Exhibition Centre m60764

His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, UAE Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence Commissioner General of Expo 2020 Dubai speaks during the UN Women SDG 5 Summit at Dubai Exhibition Centre m60765

Melanie La Pointe, Entrepreneurship Coach Consultant UN Women speaks during the UN Women SDG 5 Summit at Dubai Exhibition Centre m60782

Sally Moussa, International Speaker, Presenter and Moderator speaks during the UN Women SDG 5 Summit at Dubai Exhibition Centre m60789

Co-curated with Cartier, the International Women's Day sheds light on women leadership by tackling the issues of harmful stereotypes and negative social norms that prevent women from reaching their potential in myriad sectors and industries. Expo 2020 Dubai celebrates this special day organising a forum hosting high-calibre leaders, public figures, gender advocates and youth leaders. Governments, Corporations and changemakers deliberate on silent or invisible gender-based discrimination in professional settings, with the aim of inspiring stakeholders to commit to adopting practices and policies dedicated to gender equality and women's leadership.

International Women's Day

Gender Equality Today for a Sustainable Tomorrow

International Women's Day 2022

UN Women: SDG 5 Summit

As part of the One Global Compact Week, this session hosts the first of its kind convening of leaders from across the organisation, to inspire leadership for important 2022 planning and implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Leadership Dialogue

One Global Compact Week

UN Global Combact hosts the first of its kind convening of leaders from across the organisation, to inspire leadership for important 2022 planning and implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.

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. 

United Nations Honour Day Ceremony

Image Gallery

United Nations Honour Day .