Dubai: World Expos bring people together in a spirit of hope and collaboration for a better future, and Expo 2020 Dubai believes that now, more than ever, humanity needs to come together to remember what unites us, to celebrate our human spirit and be inspired by the greatest examples of collaboration, innovation and cooperation from around the world. We look forward to welcoming a world that is more resilient and unified in purpose, having overcome these very challenging times for us all.

What are World Expos?

• World Expos are unrivalled among international events in their scale, duration and visitor numbers. They are large-scale platforms for education and progress that serve as a bridge between governments, companies, international organisations and citizens.
• They are festivals 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. Expo 2020 Dubai’s theme is ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’.
• The first World Expo was London’s Great Exhibition of 1851.
• Buildings and products first revealed at World Expos include the Eiffel Tower, the Seattle Space Needle, the typewriter, the television and Heinz Tomato Ketchup.
• Founded in 1928, the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) is the intergovernmental organisation that regulates and oversees World Expos, preserving the core values of education, innovation and cooperation on behalf of its 170 member states.

Expo 2020 Dubai: Highlights

• Expo 2020 Dubai is an opportunity to convene the global community in a spirit of hope and optimism and to help shape a better, post-pandemic future by inspiring new and exciting solutions to overcome some of the world’s most pressing challenges.
• The first World Expo to be held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region, and the largest event ever held in the Arab world, Expo 2020 Dubai will capture the world’s imagination by welcoming the best minds and the most innovative ideas from around the globe.
• Expo 2020 Dubai’s theme, ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’, is based on the belief that innovation and progress are the result of people and ideas coming together in new and unique ways.
• Expo 2020 Dubai will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience – a six-month celebration of creativity, innovation, humanity and world cultures. It will be a time to create and renew connections, a time to be awed by the spectacular events programme, and a time to do business. 
• Expo 2020 will welcome artists and academics, pop stars and pioneering thinkers, culinary wizards and corporate gurus, tech ninjas and tomorrow’s leaders. 
  • More than 60 live events each day for 182 days
  • Around 200 F&B outlets, 50-plus global cuisines, future-shaping culinary tech, local favourites and delicious culinary tours
  • Participating countries will contribute to the dynamic, diverse and ever-changing events programme – from music, dance and art to inspiring poetry slams and insightful talks
• Expo 2020 Dubai coincides with the UAE’s 50^th anniversary in 2021, marking an important milestone for the UAE. Throughout its history, the UAE has shown the world what is possible through its remarkable development. At Expo 2020 Dubai, we want to engage people in this journey, to play a part in inspiring the next generation and, together, spark innovations that will underpin the next 50 years of human progress.
• Expo 2020 Dubai will contribute to achieving the UAE Vision 2021 National Agenda and long-term goals 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 its youth and business engagement activities, and the Expo itself, Expo will stimulate 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 and enduring, and will set a benchmark for future World Expos.

Key Dates

• Opening day: 1 October 2021
• Closing day: 31 March 2022
• Site opening hours
  • Weekdays: 0900-0100
  • Weekends and special days: 0900-0200

Theme and Subthemes

• Expo’s theme of ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’ is based on the 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 key subthemes of Opportunity, Mobility and Sustainability – areas 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, that ensure we maintain our resiliency

Sustainability: Respecting and living in balance with the world we inhabit to ensure a sustainable future for all