United Nations at Expo 2020 Dubai: A Call for Global Action for a Sustainable Future

On 31 March 2022, Expo 2020 Dubai closed its gates recording more than 24 million visitors in its six months and featuring 200 pavilions. At the Mission Impossible-Opportunity Pavilion, we have witnessed how our lives and actions are interconnected and how small actions can make a big impact.

The United Nations joined Expo 2020 through a wide array of engagements in addition to the the conception of a physical space "UN Hub" located at the Mission Impossible-Opportunity Pavilion contributing to a better understanding of the challenges that the world faces and the crucial importance of working together to overcome them.

Expo 2020 represented an extraordinary opportunity for the United Nations to engage millions of people and create lasting engagement. The UN presence at Expo 2020 invited visitors to engage in the powerful story of the value of multilateralism through the celebration of International Days, thematic weeks, and programming across the site. The events informed, inspired, and encouraged visitors to take impactful action towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and a thriving future for people and the planet.

The UN Hub in Numbers

Throughout October 2021 and March 2022, the UN Hub featured a dynamic set of programs, celebrated International days and Expo theme weeks, and highlighted the ideas and experiences that unite us, through examples of the UN’s impactful work globally, regionally, and locally, towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It offered opportunities for visitors of all ages and backgrounds to learn more about the United Nations and Agenda 2030 through a variety of panels and discussions, exhibitions, films, interactive activities, and more.

The UN Hub welcomed more than 100,000 visitors throughout Expo 2020, making it the most visited UN premises globally during 2021 and the Expo 2020 period. Throughout the six months, the UN Resident Coordinator's office along with the UN Country Team for the UAE, took the lead in the dynamic programming of the UN Hub; inviting visitors of all ages and demographics including school groups, youth, people of determination, dignitaries, and delegations from the United Arab Emirates and beyond.

45 UN agencies organized more than 69 panel discussions on topics that included climate action, water and food security, health and wellness, gender, women empowerment, resilience, inclusion, environment, the value of volunteerism, youth, labor market, knowledge, innovation and technology, human development, sustainable and resilient cities, partnerships, and beyond.

In parallel, the UN Hub featured 19 exhibitions on topics ranging from the history of the United Nations’ relationship with the United Arab Emirates to maternal health, women in peace, women scientists, climate change, environment, businesses for the SDGs, and refugee crises and screened more than 180 UN-related films and campaigns connected to sustainable development, including an exclusive screening, marking the World Day of Social Justice, of ILO’s and Apple’s film CODA, which won 3 Oscars, including best picture at the 94th Academy Awards 2022.

Global Goals Week Came to Life at Expo 2020 Dubai

Led by the United Nations, the Global Goals Week brought the world together at Expo 2020 Dubai from 15 to 21 January 2022, mobilizing and accelerating momentum to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and drive global change for a more sustainable future for all by 2030, spurring Expo 2020’s visits and attracting visitors to join the week’s events considering that it was held outside of New York for the first time in its history. From the kick-off of the Global Goals Week until the end of Expo 2020, 45,000 square meter space of the Expo 2020 site featured SDGs branding, with over 600 posters, flags, signage, and illustrations.

The Global Goals Week at the UN Hub emphasized the values of multilateralism and showcased the role of international cooperation and joint actions to overcome global challenges, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change. The UN Hub provided the UN agencies an innovative and creative space to host events related to the SDGs, their partnerships and networks, and their work together in the UAE. Throughout the entire week, various events took place showcasing how the UN agencies work to achieve the SDGs. Learn more.

Volunteers’ Dynamic Role with the UN

Managed under the leadership of the United Nations Resident Coordinator’s Office and the UN Country Team in the UAE, the success of the UN Hub would not have been made possible without the support of over 300 part-time youth volunteers who helped the team in the day-to-day operations and welcomed visitors on a daily basis. The volunteers were assigned thanks to Emirates Foundation, the UN Volunteers programme, Expo 2020, as well as UN staff members and personnel. Read more about this experience here.

UN and UAE Working Together for a Better Future

The United Nations and the United Arab Emirates work together through a set of programmes and initiatives under the umbrella of global humanitarian aid, peace and security, climate and biodiversity, partnerships for a better world, global participation, and other engagements of national and global priorities.

The UN extends a huge appreciation to the UAE for their generous hosting and support throughout Expo 2020 Dubai. 50 years into the UN and UAE partnership, we look forward to the next 50 years for a better future.

The UN Hub laid down the groundwork for more partnerships and encouraged visitors to become engaged citizens and committed to acting on the issues that matter to the future of people and the planet. At the UN Hub, visitors were inspired to be a force of change and empowered to shape the future by unlocking the potential within themselves.

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*The UN participation at Expo 2020 was led by Mr. Maher Nasser, Commissioner-General of the UN at Expo 2020 and Director for Outreach in the Department of Global Communications. Dr Dena Assaf, UN Resident Coordinator in the UAE served as Deputy Commissioner-General.