Tag Archives: Expo2020

Emirates signs MoU to promote tourism to The Bahamas

Dubai, UAE, 21 January 2022- Emirates has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Public Service of The Bahamas to explore joint initiatives to promote tourism to the island nation.

HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Emirates Group Chairman and Chief Executive said: “Across the world, Emirates plays a key role in boosting tourism to various destinations by providing travellers with reliable, convenient and comfortable flight options for travel.

The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Emirates Group Chairman and Chief Executive and The Hon Frederick A Mitchell MP, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Public Service, The Bahamas at the Emirates Group Headquarters. Also present at the meeting were Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Chief Commercial Officer; Salem Obaidalla, Emirates’ Senior VP Commercial Operations for the Americas; and HE Tony Joudi, Ambassador of The Bahamas to the UAE.

HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Emirates Group Chairman and Chief Executive said: “Across the world, Emirates plays a key role in boosting tourism to various destinations by providing travellers with reliable, convenient and comfortable flight options for travel. We are delighted to work with The Bahamas to strengthen transport links and to support the country to welcome tourists from around the world. We look forward to a long and fruitful partnership.”

The Hon Frederick A Mitchell MP, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Public Service, The Bahamas, said: “We are happy to be working together with Emirates to promote The Bahamas as a destination of choice for travellers from across the world. The Bahamas is truly an unmatched destination offering a wide variety of leisure experiences that can appeal to every visitor. We are grateful to the support offered by Emirates and we look forward to welcoming tourists from the UAE and other global markets to The Bahamas.”

Spread across 16 major islands and boasting more than 100,000 sq. miles of the world’s clearest ocean, The Bahamas is one of the most sought-after tourism destinations in the Caribbean offering a rich mix of leisure and cultural activities for visitors.

Spread across 16 major islands and boasting more than 100,000 sq. miles of the world’s clearest ocean, The Bahamas is one of the most sought-after tourism destinations

Through the MoU, Emirates will develop initiatives to promote The Bahamas as a tourism destination to customers across its global network, including developing enhanced connectivity to Nassau Lynden Pindling International Airport (NAS) from American gateways through its codeshare and interline partners.

Additionally, through its tour operating arm Emirates Holidays, the airline is also making available to customers and its travel retail partners across its markets, a range of travel packages including hotels and flights to The Bahamas.


Currently Emirates customers can connect to Nassau airport on codeshare flights with JetBlue from four major US airports including Boston (BOS), Newark (EWR), New York (JFK) and Orlando (MCO). Customers can also opt to fly through Toronto on interline flights with Air Canada to Nassau and George Town. Emirates operates a modern fleet of Boeing 777 and Airbus A380 aircraft to a network of more than 120 destinations across six continents.

ameerul.hasan@thechangemakers.news

Malaysia highlights sustainability and business potential as it marks its Expo 2020 National Day with multicultural performance

DUBAI, 8 January 2022 – Malaysia marked its Expo 2020 National Day on Saturday with a multicultural performance that demonstrated its harmonious blend of traditions, cultures and ethnicities, while the head of the Malaysia delegation commended Expo for driving business, collaboration and innovation.

Malaysia had signed 71 agreements and letters of intent, amounting to USD 8.4 billion potential trade and investment returns in the first 12 weeks of Expo 2020 Dubai

His Excellency Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh, UAE Minister of State welcomed the delegation from Malaysia, which was led by The Honourable Datuk Haji Ahmad Amzad Hashim, Malaysia’s Deputy Science, Technology and Innovation Minister.

DUBAI, 08 January 2022. Cultural performance during Malaysia National Day Ceremony at Al Wasl, Expo 2020 Dubai. (Photo by Noel Yambao/Expo 2020 Dubai)

HE Al Sayegh said: “We are proud to be Malaysia’s largest export destination and second-largest source of imports in the West Asia region, and hope to build on this already strong relationship by exploring the potential for collaboration in other areas of mutual interest, such as clean energy, digital education, food security, and tourism in a post-COVID-19 world. We also strongly believe in the potential of Malaysia as a gateway to Southeast Asian markets for the UAE, and look forward to exploring this further for the mutual benefit of our two nations.

“While the facts and figures of the bilateral trade between our two countries are robust, our brotherly relations extend far beyond this – we also share the values of tolerance and moderation, which are intricately woven into our social fabric as multicultural societies, with our nations exemplifying the notion of unity in diversity.”

“While the facts and figures of the bilateral trade between our two countries are robust, our brotherly relations extend far beyond this

Deputy Minister Hashim, speaking on behalf of Honourable Dato’ Sri Dr Adham bin Baba, Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, said: “The Malaysia Pavilion encapsulates the essence of the country’s unique diversity as a melting pot of ethnicity and cultural heritage… Its theme ‘Energising Sustainability’ captures the nation’s commitment and direction for sustainable development which balances socio-economic progress and environmental concerns.

“Both the UAE and Malaysia are multicultural countries with shared values of embracing diversity and moderation weaved in a rich cultural mosaic. The success of our nations is built on the foundations of unity and Expo 2020 Dubai is the embodiment of this spirit of togetherness in a fast-growing borderless world, as the event provides a fertile ground to sprout new ideas and connections as we move into the future with resilience and sustainability.”

Deputy Minister Hashim also revealed that Malaysia had signed 71 agreements and letters of intent, amounting to USD 8.4 billion potential trade and investment returns in the first 12 weeks of Expo 2020 Dubai, including in the areas of green smart homes, AI-driven agriculture systems, education and Halal economy.

Expo 2020 Dubai has proven as a unique global platform to forge strategic partnership, catalyse collaboration and stimulate innovation

“Expo 2020 Dubai has proven as a unique global platform to forge strategic partnership, catalyse collaboration and stimulate innovation,” he said.

The celebrations at Al Wasl Plaza featured dance performances, which showcased the rich and diverse heritage of Malaysia’s many ethnic groups. Celebrations are set to continue on Sunday, with a ‘Malaysia, Truly Asia’ festival from 2000-2200 GST at the Jubilee Stage.

With its net-zero carbon emissions green design and simulated rainforest canopies, the Malaysia Pavilion presents an inspiring vision for the nation’s thriving sustainable future. The pavilion takes visitors along a meandering woodland path through 3D graphical experiences, ‘groves’ of digitally enhanced columns, and immersive exhibits that explore Malaysia’s commitment to balancing economic and environmental health.

National and Honour Days at Expo 2020 Dubai are moments to celebrate each of our 200-plus International Participants, shining a light on their culture and achievements and showcasing their pavilions and programming. Each features a flag-raising ceremony at the Stage of Nations in Al Wasl Plaza, followed by speeches and cultural performances.

Running until 31 March 2022, Expo 2020 has invited visitors from across the planet to join the making of a new world in a six-month celebration of human creativity, innovation, progress and culture.

ameerul.hasan@thechangemakers.news

Malaysia Pavilion To Celebrate National Day At Expo 2020 Dubai On January 8, With Fine Dining Menu Curated By Malaysian Chefs

Dubai, 5th January 2022: The Malaysia Pavilion is set to celebrate its national day at Expo 2020 Dubai on 8th January 2022, as a day set aside by the Expo organiser to celebrate the country’s unique and diverse culture as well as its participation in the World Expo.

special menu prepared by Malaysian Executive Chefs, Rene Johari and Ahmad Kasdi Mohd Dahari.

The celebration will commence with speeches from representatives of both Malaysia and the UAE, visits to the Malaysia and UAE Pavilions, and a bilateral meeting at the Leadership Pavilion. Malaysia’s delegation will be represented by Deputy Science, Technology and Innovation Minister, The Honourable Datuk Haji Ahmad Amzad Hashim, who will be joined by the UAE Government representative.

The Istana Budaya (Palace of Culture) and the National Department for Culture and Arts will also be performing a colourful cultural dance repertoire at the famous Al-Wasl’s Stage of Nations.

In the evening, the Malaysian Pavilion will be hosting a dinner event for invited guests who will be treated to performances by Istana Budaya, the National Department for Culture and Arts, HANDS Percussion Malaysia, Sutra Dance Theatre and Malaysian artistes Syafinaz and Datuk Zainal Abidin.

the pavilion’s message of sustainability- all the ingredients for the menu are locally sourced from the UAE

Guests will also be feted with a special menu prepared by Malaysian Executive Chefs, Rene Johari and Ahmad Kasdi Mohd Dahari.

Chef Rene Johari has worked in the UAE for over twelve years where he got to work alongside a Michelin star chef at Galvin Brothers in Dubai. He is currently an Executive Chef at DoubleTree by Hilton in Dubai Business Bay.

Chef Ahmad Kasdi is new to the shores of the UAE but brings a rich, international background in culinary arts with him. He holds numerous culinary awards and is currently the Executive Chef at Hilton Ras Al Khaimah Beach Resort.

The two chefs joined forces to create a menu which upscales traditional Malaysian street food to a fine dining experience. Chef Rene commented: “We wanted to capture the essence of Malaysian culture and heritage and present it in a modern interpretation of infused ingredients, to celebrate the event at Expo. The dinner will feature a five-course menu with some of the most loved dishes from across Malaysia, each presented with a modern twist to it.”

The dinner will feature a five-course menu with some of the most loved dishes from across Malaysia, each presented with a modern twist to it

One of the highlights for the menu includes Hinava, a traditional native dish of the Kadazan-Dusun community in the Malaysian state of Sabah. The dish is originally prepared with seafood, but the chefs have used pomelo as the main ingredient for vegan and vegetarian diners.

Another dish guests can look forward to is the iconic Malaysian dish, Rendang. Enjoyed across Malaysia as well as in other South-East Asian countries, this version of the dish will feature slow-roasted Angus beef fillet with fragrant lemongrass rice, pineapple and baby carrot “Pajeri.” For pescetarians, the dish will be replaced with seabass and for vegetarians it will be made with butternut.

Chef Rene and Chef Ahmad Kasdi selected rosewater “Sirap Bandung” panna cotta and pistachio dentelle, served with coconut meringue, to round off the meal. Adding a Middle Eastern touch to the dessert, it is paired with dates and figs.

Chef Ahmad Kasdi explained: “We wanted to end the dinner with something unique, but not to mark the end of the celebration of Malaysia’s presence in Expo 2020 Dubai. Sirap Bandung is traditionally served at festivities and celebrations at home. With its local twist of dates and figs, it represents the unity between Malaysia and the UAE, marking it as the perfect ending.”

As a nod to the pavilion’s message of sustainability, all the ingredients for the menu are locally sourced from the UAE, reducing the carbon footprint of the dishes.

Guests expected to attend the dinner include Deputy Science, Technology and Innovation Minister, The Honourable Datuk Haji Ahmad Amzad Hashim, Deputy Health Minister, The Honourable Dato’ Dr. Noor Azmi Ghazali, Sarawak state Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, The Honourable Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Ambassador of Malaysia to the UAE, H.E. Dato’ Mohd Tarid Sufian, Malaysia’s Commissioner General for Expo 2020 Dubai, Ts. Dr. Mohd Nor Azman Hassan, who is also Deputy Secretary-General (Technology Development) of the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry, UAE officials, foreign dignitaries, ambassadors, Expo officials, pavilion officials and Malaysia Pavilion sponsors.

Malaysia is among 192 countries and organisations participating in Expo 2020 Dubai. Malaysia’s participation is spearheaded by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation with Malaysian Green Technology and Climate Change Corporation as implementing agency.

ameerul.hasan@thechangemakers.news

Mohammed bin Rashid launches AED100 million Great Arab Minds fund to identify, support 1000 leading ChangeMakers

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, today launched the Great Arab Minds initiative. The initiative will be driven by and headquartered at the Museum of the Future, the Emirates’ new global scientific landmark.

Great Arab Minds is the Arab world’s largest movement designed to search for exceptional talents among Arab scientists, thinkers, and innovators across key fields

Great Arab Minds is the Arab world’s largest movement designed to search for exceptional talents among Arab scientists, thinkers, and innovators across key fields, aiming to highlight and celebrate leading thinkers in the region and inspire young people with their example. It will work with regional and global partners to develop and maximise the positive impact of their ideas and work. The five-year initiative will focus on fields including physics and mathematics, software and data science, economics and higher education and research.

The initiative is backed by an AED100 million fund and will be administered from the Museum of the Future, with a committee of four Emirati Ministers who will develop a system to identify and highlight the extraordinary thinkers and talents that the initiative will support. The fund will support local and global partnerships in fostering research, development and innovation.

The initiative is backed by an AED100 million fund and will be administered from the Museum of the Future

In a series of tweets, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid said, “Today we launch a new project to search for 1,000 Great Arab Minds in the fields of physics and mathematics, software and data science, economics and higher education and research. Great minds built Arab civilization – today I believe we have the talent to build a better world.”

He added, “We will accelerate the Emirates’ role as an incubator for fostering Arab and global talent. We built the Museum of the Future as a global hub for scientists, thinkers and innovators – it is the ideal headquarters for a fund to develop the potential of our region’s finest minds.”

We will accelerate the Emirates’ role as an incubator for fostering Arab and global talent. We built the Museum of the Future as a global hub for scientists, thinkers and innovators

The Committee leading Great Arab Minds is chaired by Mohammad Al Gergawi, President of the Museum of the Future, and the membership of Shamma bint Suhail Al Mazrouei, Minister of State for Youth Affairs; Sarah Al Amiri, Minister of State for Advanced Technology and Chairwoman of the UAE Space Agency; and Omar Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications.

Great Arab Minds aims to search for leading Arab minds and creative talents, shed light on their achievements, and invest in their capabilities and ideas. It aims to celebrate their work and inspire young people with their example.
The fields of focus of Great Arab minds are selected based on the potential for future development in key areas of innovation to drive development and economic growth.
More details about the Great Arab Minds project will be announced over coming weeks, including information about each of the paths as well as processes for nomination and registration.

ameerul.hasan@thechangemakers.news

Sri Lanka highlights its heritage and export potential during Expo 2020 National Day celebrations

DUBAI, 3 January 2022 – The Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka celebrated its National Day at Expo 2020 on Monday with a visit from Foreign Minister Hon Professor Gamini Lakshman Peiris, who highlighted the country’s export potential and opened a series of cultural festivities, including a beautifully-choreographed show that presented the history of Sri Lanka from its beginnings to the present day.

The Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka celebrated its National Day at Expo 2020

The Minister was welcomed by His Excellency Ahmed Al Sayegh, Minister of State; His Excellency Khalid Nasser Sulaiman Al Ameri, Director of West Asia Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and Najeeb Al Ali, Executive Director, Office of the Commissioner General, Expo 2020 Dubai.

DUBAI, 03 January 2022. His Excellency Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh (R2), Minister of State, His Excellency the Honourable Professor Gamini Lakshman Peiris (C), Foreign Minister of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, Najeeb Mohammed Al-Ali (R), Executive Director Commissioner General Office Expo 2020 Dubai during the Sri Lanka National Day Ceremony at Al Wasl, Expo 2020 Dubai. (Photo by Christopher Edralin/Expo 2020 Dubai)

HE Al Sayegh said: “By adopting the theme ‘Opportunities beyond waters’, one that is quite fitting for a country that has the highest waterfall density in the world, the Sri Lanka Pavilion highlights how this friendly nation innovatively transforms challenges into opportunities, along with its tremendous capacity for entrepreneurship.

“We are proud to say that our two countries have enjoyed strong and friendly relations for decades, with the UAE being the largest trading partner of Sri Lanka in the Middle East, and collaboration extending across a diverse number of sectors, such as trade and investment, environmental cooperation, as well as mutual support on the international stage.

Hon Professor Peiris said: “Expo 2020 is a wonderful opportunity for Sri Lanka to showcase our unique offerings.

“Through Sri Lanka’s strong participation at Expo 2020 and beyond, we aim to further fortify our relations and foster new opportunities for collaboration that will lead to the mutual benefit of our nations.”

In an interview, Hon Professor Peiris said: “Expo 2020 is a wonderful opportunity for Sri Lanka to showcase our unique offerings. We have many inherent strengths: the warmth and hospitality of our people in the tourism sector; the scenic beauty of the island and its cultural heritage; our value-added exports of Ceylon tea; world-famous sapphires; and spices, of which we produce 85 per cent of the world’s cinnamon.

DUBAI, 03 January 2022. Music in the Garden, cultural performance during Sri Lanka National Day at Al Wasl, Expo 2020 Dubai. (Photo by Isaac Lawrence/Expo 2020 Dubai)

“We have 300,000 Sri Lankans living and working in the UAE. They contribute to the economy here and send valuable foreign exchange back to their home country. Not only does the UAE and Sri Lanka have excellent bilateral relations but our people-to-people relations are robust as well, which adds a strong dimension to our relationship.”

Later, at a media briefing, Hon Prasanna Ranatunga, Sri Lanka’s Minister of Tourism, described Expo 2020 as an opportunity for Sri Lanka to market itself to the world, and thanked the UAE for “giving the opportunity to the world to come together under one umbrella.”

The Sri Lanka Pavilion, which on Monday unveiled a flawless, vivid yellow sapphire to showcase the country’s natural resources

‘The Pearl of the Indian Ocean’, staged during the ceremony, was a colourful choreographed presentation of the heritage of Sri Lanka, portraying phases of agriculture, medicine and healing, Mother Nature and astrology, and blending traditional dancing with entertainment and drumming.

The Sri Lanka Pavilion, which on Monday unveiled a flawless, vivid yellow sapphire to showcase the country’s natural resources, highlights the country’s best tourist attractions, its investment and business opportunities, as well as its timeless ruins, rail network, world-class culinary scene, preserved ecosystems and stunning spiritual monuments.

National and Honour Days at Expo 2020 Dubai are moments to celebrate each of our 200-plus International Participants, shining a light on their culture and achievements, and showcasing their pavilions and programming.

Running until 31 March 2022, Expo 2020 has invited visitors from across the planet to join the making of a new world in a six-month celebration of human creativity, innovation, progress and culture.

ameerul.hasan@thechangemakers.news

EXPO 2020 Dubai and RTA update timings for public transport services on New Year’s Eve

DUBAI, 30 December 2021 – The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and Expo 2020 Dubai have updated the timings of public transport services to and from the site on New Year’s Eve, to ensure visitors have an amazing experience ‘Celebrating with the World @ Expo’.

EXPO 2020 Dubai and RTA update timings for public transport services on New Year’s Eve

The Metro service on both the Red and Green lines will operate from 0800 on 31 December 2021 until 0215 on 2 January 2022.

The Expo Rider service to Expo will run until 0630 on 1 January 2022, with the following exceptions: Dubai Mall route will be suspended from 1400 due to the closure of roads around Burj Khalifa; AlBraha, AlGubaibah and DXB T3 routes will follow a diversion to avoid the E11 road closures; All inbound intercity routes will be suspended at 2000 on 31 December 2021.

DUBAI, 03 November 2021. Visitors during UAE Flag Day, Expo 2020 Dubai. (Photo by Walaa Alshaer/Expo 2020 Dubai)

All inbound Dubai routes will also be suspended at 2200 on 31 December 2021, while all outbound trips will be suspended from 2100 to 0000.

To get ahead of the large demand on Expo Rider services, passengers will be asked to state their preferred return journey time when they arrive, and will then receive a token with this time. Tokens will be distributed on a first come, first served basis.

Meanwhile, the People Mover service will run until 0630 on 1 January, 2022.

Car parks and the Parking Shuttle will run until 0630 on 1 January 2022. In the event that the demand for Parking Shuttle services exceeds supply, visitors may be required to walk back to their vehicles.

DUBAI, 11 November 2021. Visitors at the Mobility Gate, Expo 2020 Dubai. (Photo by Christophe Viseux/Expo 2020 Dubai)

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ENOC Group’s Service Station of the Future wins APEA award

ENOC Group, the Official Integrated Energy Partner of Expo 2020 Dubai, innovatively designed Service Station of the Future, has been awarded the coveted APEA award for Best New Retail Forecourt 2021.

The APEA Awards are the only awards ceremony that recognises the best of the best within the downstream fuel industry in the UK and further afield. The APEA Awards are judged by independent industry experts. A panel of 6 judges for each category are invited to participate based on their expert knowledge of the category or of the industry in general.

innovatively designed Service Station of the Future, has been awarded the coveted APEA award for Best New Retail Forecourt 2021.

ENOC Group unveiled the innovatively designed Service Station of the Future earlier this year. The new concept design service station – a modern, sustainable and architecturally unique station – is located at the Expo 2020 Dubai site and is supporting the logistical needs of the ongoing global event. It is the world’s first Platinum LEED certified service station, an internationally recognised building certification from the US Green Building Council.

His Excellency Saif Humaid Al Falasi, Group CEO ENOC, said: “It is a great honour to be recognised by the prestigious APEA award that acknowledges the very best in the downstream fuel industry. As a wholly-owned National Oil Company we are proud to represent the energy industry at a global scale with our participation at the world’s greatest show-Expo 2020 Dubai and this recognition reflects the efforts of ENOC’s team to bring alive the most innovative service station. With the service station of the future our vision was to lead as an example in the energy sector on how a service station can be sustainable, using multiple sources of energy.”

His Excellency Saif Humaid Al Falasi, Group CEO ENOC, said: “It is a great honour to be recognised by the prestigious APEA award

The forecourt canopy design is inspired by Ghaf, the UAE’s native tree which resembles resilience and co-existence. For canopy structure, first-time carbon fiber has been used, formed with leaf-shaped ETFE cushions, integrated with LED and transparent solar panels. The station has digital displays, wayfinding navigation system, interactive dispenser, wind turbine, EV charger, VRS, occupancy sensors and other innovative features. The Service Station of the Future is the world’s first of its kind service station that harnesses the power of renewables, and it takes us to a new era for the future of fuel.

DUBAI, 21 November 2021. Visitors at the ENOC Pavilion, Expo 2020 Dubai. (Photo by Katarina Premfors /Expo 2020 Dubai)

The service station also includes several applications of advance machine learning, artificial intelligence and data analytics technologies that play a role in customising services and retail offerings for customers, managing queue and waiting times at the forecourt, and improving the overall customer journey. Vehicle mapping surface lighting is deployed to mark traffic flow to direct vehicles to the fuelling area, as well as entry and exits to the station. Occupation sensors and signals at fuelling positions will also manage traffic flow, redirecting vehicles to empty spaces at dispensers. Digital signage in the station consists of 12 million LED chips to illuminate the digital screens onsite. Other prominent features include electric-vehicle chargers and multi-media interactive advanced dispensers.

ameerul.hasan@thechangemakers.news

Gori Women’s choir adds musical magic to Georgia’s National Day celebrations

DUBAI, 29 December 2021 – The beautiful voices of the Gori Women’s Choir reverberated around Al Wasl Plaza on Wednesday, as the ensemble gave an exceptional performance as part of Georgia’s National Day celebrations at Expo 2020 Dubai.

The beautiful voices of the Gori Women’s Choir reverberated around Al Wasl Plaza

Almost orchestral, the repertoire spanned ancient and contemporary pieces, showcasing the choir’s distinctive, resonant voices, as well as Georgia’s rich musical heritage.

DUBAI, 29 December 2021. Cultural Performers during the Georgia National Day Ceremony at Al Wasl, Expo 2020 Dubai. (Photo by Christophe Viseux/Expo 2020 Dubai)

The Gori Women’s Choir was founded in 1970 at Gori’s School of Music in Georgia, and originally included schoolgirls and teachers from the city. The choir creates its own rhythms through tonal sounds and hand clapping that shapes the enchanting vocal style of its members, transforming it into a precision instrument made up of human voices.

ameerul.hasan@thechangemakers.news

Expo 2020 Dubai farewell to 2021 with a shimmering ball drop at Al Wasl Plaza

DUBAI, 1 January 2022 – The highlight of Expo 2020 Dubai’s New Year’s Eve proceedings, a magical ball drop to rival that of the famous event in New York’s Times Square, welcomed 2022 with a glittering flourish at Al Wasl Plaza at 0000 GST, accompanied by two fireworks displays that lit up the night sky.

a magical ball drop to rival that of the famous event in New York’s Times Square, welcomed 2022

As glasses clinked with midnight toasts made across the site’s Country Pavilions, restaurants and bars, visitors embraced 2022 by basking in the lights, colours, music, hoopla and a shower of confetti during the world’s most inclusive New Year’s Eve event.

DUBAI, 01 October 2021. Expo 2020 Rehearsal for the Opening Ceremony, Expo 2020 Dubai. (Photo by Dany Eid/Expo 2020 Dubai)

The incandescent crystal ball was launched from the top of Al Wasl Plaza’s illuminated dome, serving as a symbol of hope foretelling a more optimistic future ahead.

Dining offerings from more than 70 restaurants and 120 food concepts, including food trucks, food halls, restaurants, bars and kiosks, and exclusive never-been-seen concepts by international chefs, catered to visitors until the early hours of the morning – keeping energy levels and spirits high.

Dining offerings from more than 70 restaurants and 120 food concepts, including food trucks, food halls, restaurants, bars and kiosks

The recently opened Festival Garden at Expo’s Jubilee Park added extra sparkle to the celebrations. The atmospheric garden – located near the Malaysia Pavilion – is open until 0200 GST and features a merry mix of food trucks, drinks carts and entertainment in the form of bouncy castles, an inflatable park, treasure hunts, face painting, sporting activities, DJs, musicians and more.

Seamlessly connecting Expo 2020 with the rest of the city, the Dubai Metro is running continuously throughout 31 December and into the New Year, ensuring every visitor to Expo can enjoy the world-class experiences on offer. RTA has announced extended operating hours for the holiday period: trains are running from 0800 on 31 December without a break in service until 0215 on 2 January. More information is available on the RTA website.

DUBAI, 02 December 2021. Fireworks Display during UAE National Day and the Golden Jubilee Celebrations, Expo 2020 Dubai. (Photo by Suneesh Sudhakaran/Expo 2020 Dubai)

The festivities continue at Expo 2020 Dubai on 1 January, as Yemen celebrates its Expo 2020 National Day with musicians, traditional folkloric dancers and a line-up of singers, including Hussain Moheb, one of Yemen’s biggest-selling artists.

The recently opened Festival Garden at Expo’s Jubilee Park added extra sparkle to the celebrations

Three of the region’s biggest Arabic artists will also be making Expo 2020 the place to mark the first day of 2022: Emirati soul musician Arqam, Saudi singer Hamza Hawsawi and Emirati singer and oud player Jassim Mohammed will entertain visitors at Jubilee Park.

ameerul.hasan@thechangemakers.news

Transport and Telecom chiefs to discuss post-pandemic strategies at Expo’s Travel and Connectivity Week

DUBAI, 8 January 2022 – Expo 2020 Dubai’s upcoming Travel and Connectivity Week from 9-16 January will convene leading industry figures, innovators and policymakers around digitalisation and connectivity as a universal human right and force for good in a changed world.

Expo 2020 Dubai’s upcoming Travel and Connectivity Week from 9-16 January will convene leading industry figures

Highlights include the Travel and Connectivity Week Business Forum, which kicks off at 0900 GST on Tuesday, 11 January, at Dubai Exhibition Centre, Expo 2020. Speakers at the hybrid event will include Tewolde Gebremariam, Group CEO, Ethiopian Airlines and His Excellency Andres Sutt, Estonia Minister for Entrepreneurship and Information Technology.

DUBAI, 09 February 2021. Interior view of Alif – The Mobility Pavilion, Expo 2020 Dubai. (Photo by Dany Eid/Expo 2020 Dubai)

His Excellency Hamad Buamim, President and CEO, Dubai Chamber of Commerce; Issam Kazim, CEO, Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), and Mohannad Samara, Director, Business Development & Strategic Projects, Etisalat (UAE) are also slated to appear.

The sixth of 10 Theme Weeks under Expo 2020’s Programme for People and Planet, Travel and Connectivity Week comes almost two years after the COVID-19 pandemic began to upend global travel, transforming our approach to connectivity in the 21st century.

Underpinned by the belief that connectivity not only brings us all closer together but is the bedrock of healthy and empowered societies

Underpinned by the belief that connectivity not only brings us all closer together but is the bedrock of healthy and empowered societies, the Week is co-curated with Expo 2020 Premier Partners Emirates and Etisalat, its programming targeting key issues for global policy-makers, business and agents of change alike.

The Nexus, home to the Programme for People and Planet, of which the 10 Theme Weeks are a key pillar, will see numerous events throughout the week – from a three-hour tech innovation session titled ‘Age of Disruption’ (Tuesday, 12 January) to ‘Cultures in Conversation: A Cloud is Nobody’s’ (Friday, 15 January).

DUBAI, 09 February 2021. The Giants of Mobility, Expo 2020 Dubai. (Photo by Suneesh Sudhakaran/Expo 2020 Dubai)

The Women’s Pavilion will also host various events, including a World Majlis on ‘Closing the Digital Gender Gap’ (Monday, 10 January) and a two-hour event ‘Super (S)heroes: How Arab and Muslim Women Use Media to Connect and Shatter Stereotypes’ (Thursday, 13 January).

the Week is co-curated with Expo 2020 Premier Partners Emirates and Etisalat

Expo 2020’s Programme for People and Planet offers an exchange of inspiring new perspectives to address the greatest challenges and opportunities of our time.

ameerul.hasan@thechangemakers.news