Spectacular Expo 2020 opening in images and video

Eudore R. Chand

HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces (C), attends opening ceremony of EXPO Dubai 2020. (Images courtesy Ministry of Presidential Affairs/Wam).

Dimitri Kerkentzes, Secretary General of the Bureau International des Expositions, expressed his gratitude to the UAE’s leadership and its people, and congratulated them on the opening of the mega event. “This is a historic occasion for World Expos and a culminating moment in the incredible story of Dubai and the United Arab Emirates in the year of its Golden Jubilee. With more than 190 countries participating, all the world is coming together, for the first time since the pandemic began, to connect, to exchange and to learn on this extraordinary global stage. For tens of millions of people, Expo 2020 Dubai is a tremendous occasion to reconnect with the whole world, to truly engage with critical questions of universal importance and to showcase innovative and cutting-edge solutions to our global problems. I would like to express my gratitude to the leadership of the UAE for having the vision and the perseverance to host this World Expo, – and particularly to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

Andrea Bocelli

“On behalf of all 170 BIE Member States, I applaud your unremitting determination to moving forward in unison to make this wonderful project a truly vibrant, inclusive and universal experience. Expo 2020 Dubai will be a transformational event creating new partnerships and generating deep and meaningful connections to make our world better,” he said H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, announced the official opening of Expo 2020 Dubai, saying: “Today, the entire world gathers in the United Arab Emirates. Today, we witness, together, a new beginning, as we inaugurate, together, with the blessings of Allah, Expo 2020 Dubai. May God grant us success.”

The ceremony was also attended by H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Crown Prince and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai; H.H. Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance; H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region; H.H. Sheikh Tahnoun bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Ruler’s Representative in Al Ain Region; H.H. Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Council; H.H. Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior; H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs; H.H. Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Member of The Executive Council of Abu Dhabi; H.H. Sheikh Khalid bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Zayed Higher Organisation for People of Determination; H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Member of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Office; H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Group, and Chairman of the Expo 2020 Dubai Higher Committee; H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Media Council; H.H. Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum; H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan; H.H. Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, His Majesty the King’s Representative for Humanitarian Work and Youth Affairs in Bahrain; and Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashemy, Minister of State for International Cooperation and Director General of EXPO – 2020 Dubai Bureau, along with a number of senior officials, heads of diplomatic corps in the UAE, dignitaries and local and international media.