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Home , Expo 2000, Expo 2020, Expo 2020 (Dubai Metro), Expo 67

Briefing and Factsheet

Dubai won the bid to host the 2020 World Expo in November 2013. From that day, we embarked on the journey towards hosting an exceptional Expo, creating a global collaborative platform that leaves a lasting legacy for the UAE and participants.

What are World Expos?  The World Expo is one of the world’s oldest and largest international events, taking place every five years and lasting six months.  It is a festival for all, where everyone can learn, innovate, create progress and have fun by sharing ideas and working together. Each Expo revolves around its own theme to leave a lasting impact on the path of human progress. ’s core theme is ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’.  The first World Expo was London’s of 1851.  Buildings and products first revealed at World Expos include the , the Space Needle, the typewriter, the first television, and even Heinz Tomato Ketchup.

Expo 2020 Dubai – the highlights  Expo 2020 Dubai is a once in a lifetime experience and we will be opening our doors to the world on 20 October, 2020. We are extending an invitation to people from around the world to join us and experience a World Expo - a global six-month celebration of creativity, innovation, humanity and world cultures. It will be a time to create and renew connections that will strengthen and deepen through 2020 and beyond. It will be a time to be awed by the spectacular events programme and a time to do business.  Expo 2020 Dubai is the first World Expo to be held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region, and the first to be hosted by an Arab nation.  Expo 2020 Dubai’s theme, ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’, is the belief that innovation and progress are the result of people and ideas coming together in new and unique ways.  In March 2016, Expo 2020 Dubai revealed its new logo, which was inspired by a ring found at the Saroug Al Hadeed archaeological site. The UAE connected ancient civilisations and continues to be a hub that connects the world.  Expo 2020 Dubai coincides with the UAE’s 50th anniversary in 2021, marking an important milestone for the UAE.  Over the past 50 years, the UAE has impressed the world with its rapid growth and amazing achievements. Expo 2020 Dubai wants to motivate people to carry that innovative spirit forward for another 50 years – at least.  Expo 2020 Dubai will be a chance for the greatest minds in the world – and the rest of us – to come together to solve some of the biggest challenges facing us all.  The people attending will come from all over the world, with 70 per cent expected to be international visitors, the highest proportion in Expo history.  30,000 UAE resident volunteers will be helping look after them.

Dates and Times  Opening Day: 20 October, 2020

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 Closing Day: 10 April, 2021  Site Opening Hours  Weekdays: 1000-0100  Weekends and special days: 1000-0200

Theme and Subthemes  Our world has never been more connected, and the opportunities for shared thinking, for collective development, and for beneficial trade and commerce have never been greater. Expo’s theme is ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’. The reason behind the choice of this theme is our belief that innovation and progress are the result of people from different fields and backgrounds, who would not normally collaborate, coming together in new and unique ways to share ideas.  The nations and organisations that will take part in Expo, and the millions who visit, will explore the power of connections across the spheres of Opportunity, Mobility and Sustainability - our three subthemes that we see as fundamental in shaping our world.  Opportunity: Unlocking the potential for individuals and communities to shape the future  Mobility: Creating smarter and more productive movement of people, goods and ideas, both physically and virtually  Sustainability: Respecting and living in balance with the world we inhabit to ensure a sustainable future for all

What are Expo 2020’s aims?  Throughout its history, the UAE has shown the world what is possible through its remarkable development. With Expo 2020 Dubai, we want to engage with people throughout our journey, to play a part in inspiring the next generation and, together, spark innovations that underpin the coming 50 years of human progress.  Expo 2020 will be a celebration of creativity, innovation, humanity and world cultures. We are extending an invitation to people from around the world to join us and experience a World Expo. It will be a time to create and renew connections that will strengthen and deepen through 2020 and beyond. It is a time to be awed by the spectacular events programme and a time to do business.  Expo 2020 Dubai will contribute to achieving the UAE Vision 2021 by supporting the growth of tourism, stimulating the development of innovative businesses in the UAE, and enhancing the country’s international reputation as a location to do business.  Through our youth and business engagement activities, and the Expo itself, Expo will stimulate the economic, cultural and scientific growth, and unlock the potential of one of the world’s youngest and fastest growing populations.  Expo 2020 Dubai is committed to building a legacy that is sustainable, enduring and will set a benchmark for future World Expos.

The Expo 2020 Site  The Expo site is located within the Dubai South district, close to Al Maktoum International Airport and easily reached from Dubai International Airport, Abu Dhabi International Airport and Dubai and Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminals.

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 Historically, Dubai was called Al Wasl, or the “Connection”, because of how it connected people from all over the region. On the Expo site, visitors will gather at Al Wasl Plaza to enjoy celebrations and cultural events from more than 180 countries.  The Expo site is 4.38 square kilometres.  Approximately 2 square kilometres will form the Expo gated area, while the remaining 2.4 square kilometres will feature supporting amenities and facilities, including the Expo 2020 Village for participant and staff accommodation, warehousing, logistics, transport nodes, hotels, retail and a public park.  The three Theme Districts are central to the design of the masterplan and reflect the themes of Opportunity, Mobility and Sustainability. The Expo gated area will feature more than 180 individual country pavilions that will showcase the unique architecture, culture and exhibits that their countries wish to present. The Themed Pavilions will house interactive exhibitions and engaging content to explore the themes in a fun and entertaining way. Each Theme District will also include performance spaces, innovation galleries and art installations and outdoor gardens. There is also a children’s park and a full events programme for families.  The Expo gated area will include a wide variety of food and retail options and visitors will be able to taste dishes from around the world and explore unique shopping experiences.  The Expo site will also include extensive hospitality, as well as private hospitality opportunities and state-of-the- art conference and meeting spaces and entertainment areas that will be made available for private hire.  Expo 2020 Dubai aims to generate at least half of its from renewable sources.  Site development at the physical Expo 2020 Dubai site began in March 2016.  The pace of construction continues to increase. We are currently pouring 6,100 cubic metres of concrete a week, and 500 tonnes of steel is being brought in every seven days as work gets underway on structures.

Outreach & Engagement International Engagement  Over six months more than 200 participants, including 180 countries, and many millions of visitors will come together to celebrate Expo 2020 Dubai.  One of Expo 2020 Dubai’s goal is to reinvigorate the economy and culture of the Middle East and give the world the extra “push” it needs to tackle new challenges.  We want to attract people from all over the world by making sure that we have something that interests everyone, across government, business, and everyday affairs.

Business Engagement  Expo 2020 Dubai believes that small and medium-sized companies are the key to future growth and job creation in the United Arab Emirates – they may be small, but they are agile and ready to adapt to win new business.  Launched in September 2015, BusinessConnect is a series that encourages dialogue with local, regional, and international businesses. By bringing businesses from different areas face-to-face, we can jump-start innovations never thought possible.

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 The BusinessConnect series has already hosted sessions focusing on Youth Engagement, Marketing and Communications, Entrepreneurship, Technology and Innovation, Edutainment, SME (Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises) Participation, Architecture and Design, and Event Operations.  Expo 2020 Dubai’s Procurement Portal [https://esource.expo2020dubai.ae] is an online system that gives businesses around the world of all sizes, including SMEs, the chance to win some of our business.

Economic Impact  Expo 2020 will help to achieve the UAE Vision 2021 by increasing tourism, developing innovative businesses, and contributing to the country’s international reputation as a location to do business.

Overall Legacy Vision  Expo 2020 Dubai is committed to building a long-lasting and sustainable legacy in many industries and areas. We anticipate that 80 percent of Expo 2020’s infrastructure will have practical value long into the future.  The overall aim is to create a long-term legacy of collaboration and innovation for human progress through:  An economic legacy  A physical legacy  A reputational legacy  A social legacy  In April 2017 – more than three years before the gates to Expo 2020 Dubai open – Siemens AG announced plans to set up a global logistics headquarters on the Expo site after it ends in 2021.

Some cultural highlights from past Expos

1851 – London – The Great Exhibition of the Works of Industry of all Nations The first World Fair was housed in an innovative new structure called Crystal Palace, designed by Joseph Paxton. It was an architectural marvel at the time as it was made from cast iron and glass. Along with exhibits, it also housed trees and statues along the main walkways. The exhibition illustrated various inventions and innovations of the industrial revolution under its theme, Industry of all Nations.

1855 – - Exposition Universelle des Produits de l’Agriculture, de l’Industrie et des Beaux-arts de Paris 1855 The exposition theme was Agriculture, Industry and Fine Arts, with a focus on industry. Inventions on show included the lawnmower and Moore’s washing machine. It had more than 5 million visitors and 27 participants.

1862 – London - London International Exhibition of Industry and Art The exhibition, with the theme of Industry and Art, showcased a new invention; the Analytical Engine.

1867 – Paris - Exposition Universelle de Paris 1867 The exhibition hosted 42 participants and received about 15 million visitors. It also showcased two new inventions of the time; reinforced concrete and the hydraulic elevator.

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1873 – Vienna - Weltaustellung 1873 in Wien During this exposition, the theme Culture and Education focused on the promotion of Vienna’s culture and education. It was the first expo to offer international forums for scientists; which witnessed 12 conferences and congresses.

1876 – Philadelphia – Centennial Exhibition of Arts, Manufactures and Products of the Soil and Mine One of the highlights of this World’s Fair was the first public showing of the arm and torch of New York’s famous Statue of Liberty. The rest of the statue in New York Harbour would not be completed until 1886.

1878 – Paris – Exposition Universelle de 1878 Henri Giffard's giant steam-driven tethered balloon lifted visitors to the top of Trocadéro Hill, where a permanent palace was constructed for concerts, art exhibits, and international congresses that were held as part of the World’s Fair.

1888 – Barcelona – Exposición Universal de Barcelona The Arc de Triomf was built as the gateway to the World’s Fair, which was held in the Parc de la Ciutadella. The monument features sculptural and decorative finishes that were ground-breaking in their day. The Columbus Monument (Monument a Colom), a 60-metre monument to Christopher Columbus, was also built for the Expo on the site where Columbus returned to Europe after his first voyage to the Americas. It was erected at the lower end of Las Ramblas and still stands today.

1889 – Paris – Exposition Universelle de 1889 The Eiffel Tower was built by Gustave Eiffel for the Exposition Universelle de 1889. Constructed in just two years, two months and five days, it was considered a remarkable technical and architectural achievement and a demonstration of the standard of French engineering at the time. The tower was only intended to last 20 years, but endures to this day. This was also the World Fair when Thomas Edison unveiled his gramophone to the world.

1897 – Brussels – Exposition Internationale de Bruxelles The Temple of Human Passions, influenced by the trend of the Art Nouveau movement, was built for the event and remains today in Brussels.

1900 – Paris – L'Exposition de Paris 1900 This World Fair witnessed the debut of talking movies, projecting both image and sound simultaneously - a major milestone in cinema.

1906 – – Esposizione Internazionale del Sempione

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The opening of the Simplon Tunnel, a railway connecting and through the Alps, was the highlight of this Expo.

1915 - San Francisco - -Pacific International Exposition In celebration of the construction of the Panama Canal, and the rebuilding of the city following a devastating earthquake, the Panama-Pacific International Exposition was held in 1915 in San Francisco. The expo saw the establishment of a telephone line that connected the Golden City to New York, as well as the transfer of the Liberty Bell from Philadelphia.

1935 – Brussels – Exposition Universelle et Internationale de Bruxelles The main home of the World’s Fair, the Exhibition Palace, was an imposing structure made of reinforced concrete, an innovative use of the material at the time. The expo covered the theme of Transportation and had 54 participant countries.

1937 – Paris – Exposition Internationale des Arts et Techniques dans la Vie Moderne Held in the heart of , overlooking the Eiffel Tower, the expo had the theme of Arts and Modern Technology. Two landmarks were erected for the expo; the Musée de l'Homme (Anthropology museum) and Palais de Tokyo, which hosts Paris’ Museum of Arts.

1939 – New York – New York World's Fair With the theme of Building the World of Tomorrow, the expo allowed visitors to have a quick glance at the world of tomorrow. The scientist Albert Einstein gave a speech about cosmic rays and David Sarnoff, president of the Radio Corporation of America (RCA), introduced television to the mass public at the RCA pavilion by broadcasting a speech by U.S. President Franklin D Roosevelt.

1949 – Port-au-Prince - Bicentennial International Exhibition of Port-au-Prince The expo celebrated 200 years of Port-au-Prince, with the main theme being the festival of peace. It witnessed many competitions and festivities that promoted Haitian culture.

1958 - Brussels – Exposition Universelle et Internationale de Bruxelles - Wereldtentoonstelling Brussel 1958 The site is best known for the Atomium, a giant model of a unit cell of an iron crystal (each sphere representing an atom). More than 41 million people visited the expo, which was opened with a call for world peace and social and economic progress by King Baudouin I, under the theme of A World View: New Humanism.

1962 – Seattle – Originally sketched on a napkin in a coffee house by Edward E Carlson, the president of Western International Hotels, the Space Needle went on to become the dominant central structure for the 1962 World Expo. The theme of the event was Man in the Space Age.

1967 – - Universal and International Exhibition Montreal Expo '67

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With a theme of Man and his World, Montreal expo showcased the various ways humankind influence the world. It witnessed more than 50 million visitors, a number that is more than twice the Canadian population at that time.

1970 – – World Exposition Osaka 1970 The expo saw the premiere of the first-ever IMAX film: the Canadian-produced Tiger Child for the Fuji Group pavilion and the display of a moon rock brought by American astronauts after their trip to the Moon. The expo, whose theme was Progress and Harmony for Mankind, witnessed more than 64 million visitors.

1992 – - Exposición universal de Sevilla The expo was organised to celebrate the 500th anniversary of Christopher Columbus’ discovery of the Americas, under the theme of The Age of Discovery.

2000 – Hannover - Hannover As a part of its theme, Man, Nature and Technology, exhibitors and participants showcased environmental consciousness. Many pavilions were created from reusable or recyclable material, while BMW focused on showcasing its efforts in creating environmentally-friendly vehicles.

2010 – Shanghai – Expo Shanghai 2010 Shanghai’s expo witnessed 246 participants and more than 73 million visitors, making it one of the largest World Expos ever held. Its theme, Better City Better Life, showcased the city’s new status as an international and developed city. The expo also highlighted urban development. The Expo’s main building – called Expo Axis – had the world's largest membrane roof. It consists of steel-glass funnels and a 1,000-metre long membrane. After the event ended, Expo Axis became a permanent and iconic structure.

2015 – Expo Milan 2015 The expo’s theme, Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life, focused on nutrition and food. It included subthemes such as dietary education, food for better lifestyles, technology for agriculture and biodiversity and science for food. It was the second time the city hosted an international expo, with the first being in 1906.

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