World Expos are one of the oldest and largest international events on the planet, taking place every five years and lasting six months. It is a festival for all, where everyone can experience, explore, innovate, and have fun by sharing ideas and working together.

Innovations launched at World Expos include: the telephone (Philadelphia, 1876), the Eiffel Tower (Paris, 1889), the Ferris wheel (Chicago, 1893), the X-Ray machine (Buffalo, 1901), the ice cream cone (St Louis, 1904), the commercial broadcast television (New York, 1939), IMAX (Osaka, 1970), touchscreens (Knoxville, 1982) and the humanoid robot (Nagoya, 2005).

Expo 2020 Dubai will be the first World Expo ever hosted in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region. Through our theme of Connecting Minds, Creating the Future, we aim to host a World Expo that inspires people by showcasing the best examples of collaboration, innovation and cooperation from around the world. We believe that now, more than ever, humanity needs to come together to remember what unites us and makes us stronger.

Expo 2020 will run for six months from 1 October 2021 to 31 March 2022. It will be open seven days a week, from 10:00 to 01:00 on weekdays and 10:00 to 02:00 on weekends and special days.

Measuring 4.38 sqkm, the Expo 2020 site is located in the Dubai South district. It is close to Al Maktoum International Airport and within easy reach of Dubai International Airport, Abu Dhabi International Airport and Dubai and Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminals. The site will also have its own metro station, capable of transporting 36,000 passengers per hour.

In line with the Expo 2020 subtheme of Sustainability, 80% of Expo-built buildings and structures will find new life in the thriving future city of District 2020. A key pillar of Expo 2020’s aim to leave a meaningful and lasting legacy, District 2020 will be a connected global centre for the next generation of innovators, original thinkers and pioneers for generations to come.

Islam is the official religion, but the UAE Constitution provides for freedom of religion in accordance with established custom. Visitors and residents are free to practise their religious beliefs, and can find places of worship such as churches and Hindu temples throughout the country.

The UAE’s sunny climate means that lightweight clothing is suitable to wear throughout the year. However, slightly warmer attire such as a jumper may be needed during wintertime or in a place with powerful air conditioning (for example, a cinema or a hotel lobby). When out in public, dress codes are generally relaxed but it is still a good idea to respect the local culture – excessively tight or revealing clothing is inadvisable, especially in family-friendly environments such as malls and restaurants.

Under the UAE’s National Policy for Empowering People with Special Needs, those with special needs or disabilities are referred to as ‘people of determination’ to recognise their achievements in different fields.

Expo 2020 is currently considering a wide range of measures to ensure we deliver an accessible Expo for everyone. A variety of services will be offered onsite, including rentals of wheelchairs and electric convenience vehicles.