At precisely 20:20 today, fireworks decorated the Dubai skyline, as Burj Khalifa lit up with the words ‘One year to go’ and ‘The world’s greatest show’, signaling the countdown to Expo 2020. This is the highly anticipated global trade fair that’s slated to take place in the UAE exactly one year from now, with the aim of bolstering the UAE’s position as a covetable hub for commerce, culture and connectivity.

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Under the tagline ‘Be there’, seven events taking place across the UAE, filled with music, fireworks and celebrity performances, brought people together to celebrate the landmark occasion. In Dubai, thousands gathered in Burj Park, Downtown Dubai to be a part of the celebrations, which included a headline act by Mariah Carey and Emirati singing sensation Hussain Al Jassmi.

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In the UAE capital, the Louvre Abu Dhabi commemorated the occasion with live performances, special children’s activities, and livestreaming of the Dubai countdown. In Sharjah, the Al Majaz Waterfront played host to a festival, with music, food and live entertainment, rounded off with live performances by Clarita de Quiroz, ROOH and Benna Duo.

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And in Italy, which was host to Expo Milano 2015, Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio and Emirati Foreign Minister Abdallah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan attended the ‘1 Year to Go’ event, which represented the symbolic passing of the torch to Expo Dubai 2020. The event also presented contents of Italy’s participation in Expo 2020 and the Italian Pavilion, themed as ‘Beauty Connects People’.

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Expo 2020 will run from 20 October 2020 until 10 April 2021 and is billed as the first expo to be taking place in an Arab country, a remarkable feat for all of us in the UAE. Expo 2020, we’re ready for you.

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