Middle East's First Universal Exhibition: Opening Ceremony of Dubai World Expo

The World Expo has officially kicked off in Dubai, UAE, with an official opening ceremony held on 30 September. The main concept of the event is "Connecting Minds, Creating the Future".

According to the event's organisers, the exhibition will largely focus on three topics — opportunity, mobility, and sustainability. Additionally, important innovations will be presented on the sidelines of the event.

Some 191 countries around the world have confirmed their participation in the exhibition. The number of visitors to the event is expected to reach 25 million.

Last year, Expo 2020 was postponed over health concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Check out Sputnik's photo gallery to get a first glimpse of the World Expo in Dubai.

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Artists perform during the opening ceremony of the Dubai Expo 2020 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on 30 September 2021.

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Dubai opened its extravagant Expo 2020 with a flashy ceremony boasting fireworks and light displays as it attempts to woo the world despite the pandemic.

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Dancers perform during the opening ceremony of the Dubai Expo 2020.

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An Emirati artist performs during the opening ceremony of the Dubai Expo 2020. The United Arab Emirates hopes to welcome about 25 million visitors for Expo 2020, the first universal exhibition held in the Middle East and one of the largest events globally since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Flag-bearers of the participating nations enter during the opening ceremony of the Dubai Expo 2020.

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Artists perform during the opening ceremony of the Dubai Expo 2020 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

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Artists perform during the opening ceremony of the Dubai Expo 2020.

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A female dancer performs during the opening ceremony of the Dubai Expo 2020.

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An artist performs during the opening ceremony of the Dubai Expo 2020.

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A female artist performs during the opening ceremony of the Dubai Expo 2020.

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Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai, and Minister of Defence Sheikh Mohamed bin Rashid al-Maktoum speaks with Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed al-Nahyan (C-R) during the opening ceremony of the Dubai Expo 2020.

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Artists perform during the opening ceremony of the Dubai Expo 2020.