Expo 2020 opens in October – One Year Late

Larissa Chalouhi, Staff Reporter, PawPrint

In early May 2020, Dubai Expo was cancelled due to the global coronavirus pandemic but is now set to open its doors on October 1, 2021 and it lasts for six months and ends March 31, 2022. The purpose of the expo is ‘connecting minds, creating the future.’ As well as it highlights music, architecture, technology and culture from all around the world and gathers nations to find solutions toward pressing challenges/problems.This large international exhibition’s goal is to gather people from across the world and create a meaningful long lasting impact worldwide.

This event takes a progressive glance into the future specifically through innovation, technology, culture, education and business. It gives individuals the opportunity to unlock their full potential and to build a better future for everyone. One impactful benefit of the Expo is increased employment from a variety of sectors throughout the Middle East. In terms of the younger generation Expo 2020 offers children ages 6-17 with a valid student I.D from any school gets the multi-day pass for free. 

The main theme of Expo 2020 is sustainability, which is the ability to sustain the planet for future generations. Mobility, which allows the distribution of goods to be accessible and affordable as well as Opportunity which reflects the financial growth and increase of employment and a chance for one to reach full potential. Expo 2020 will have about 200 pavilions that represent one country. The pavilions as well will be split into the themes of sustainability, mobility and opportunity. Some of the innovations that launched or were introduced at World Expos include the telephone in Philadelphia, 1876, the Eiffel Tower in 1889. This is the first ever Expo in the Middle East and South Africa region (MEASA). It is located on the Expo road in Dubai South Jebel Ali which is also near Al Maktoum International Airport.