Events
The United Nations participation at Expo is focused on programming that champions international cooperation and the SDGs for the Decade of Action, across the UN International Days, thematic weeks and the Global Goals week being observed as part of the People and Planet Programme organized by Expo.
Upcoming Events
SDG Art Exhibit
Recurring exhibit at the UN Hub, throughout the six months of Expo. Starting with the opening day of Expo2020 and for the first week of October, and later on UN Day on 24 October, and again from 7-13 November, the UN Hub will be showcasing a special exhibit on the SDGs with original artwork from artists from different countries to inspire action and understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the importance for all of humanity’s engagement towards peace and prosperity for all in a healthy and vibrant planet. The SDG Art Exhibit’s official launch event will take place on 9 November and will host a series of panel discussions with the artists and virtual exhibit experience for a wider audience.
UN in the UAE
Throughout the month of December, the United Nations will also join the Golden Jubilee celebrations commemorating the UAE’s 50th anniversary, through a series of events and visual exhibits representing a time capsule that highlights the presence and strategic positioning of the UN in the UAE for the past fifty years, along with the vision for partnership towards the next fifty.
Previous Events
UN Day at Expo
On 24 October 2021, Expo observed United Nations Day as an Honor Day with a variety of official events. This included an official ceremony at the Al Wasl Dome and an exciting cultural performance by theEmirates Youth Symphony Orchestra (EYSO), a unique group of young musicians in the UAE and the Arab world at large, devoted to cultivating the musical talent of young people, by creating a cultural and artistic environment for young talents for audiences of all ages. The ceremony took place on the Stage of Nations in Al Wasl Dome, with the presence of high-level government officials from the United Arab Emirates. UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed joined the ceremony in person and gave opening remarks to commemorate the global efforts and impact of the United Nations work to serve people and planet for 76 years. Audiences from all over the world joined the Honor Day ceremony virtually. The Emirates Youth Symphony Orchestra (EYSO) also played again at the Al Wasl Dome for a “Music in the Garden Performance” in the afternoon.
The UN opened a selected group of photos from the exhibit#TheWorldWeWant—curated from more than 50,000 images from over 130 countries submitted to a global photo contest hosted and organized by mobile app Agora in commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of the United Nations. The physical exhibit is on display at the Opportunity Pavilion plaza, just across from the #UNHub. To visit the exhibit in person, please find more information about accessing the Expo site here.
World Food Day
On 16 October 2021, World Food Day at Expo was observed with a variety of events, co-curated by the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) and the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment.
Opening Ceremony
Watch Expo 2020 Dubai’s opening ceremony, which took place on 1 October:
More about the United Nations Day at Expo 2020