Pictures: Mohammed bin Rashid tours Expo 2020 venue on the event’s first day

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, toured the venue of Expo 2020, which began in Dubai today. His Highness visited the pavilions of the UAE, USA, China and Kazakhstan on the first day of the six-month mega global event.

Sheikh Mohammed was accompanied on the tour by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai; Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance; and Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Group, and Chairman of the Expo 2020 Dubai Higher Committee along with a number of ministers and senior officials of Dubai entities.

Sheikh Mohammed visited the US Pavilion at Expo Dubai, which extends over an area of 36,000 square feet and provides a unique experience for visitors to celebrate American values and culture under the theme "Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of the Future." The theme reflects the USA’s commitment to promoting prosperity, opportunity, and innovation globally and domestically.

The pavilion highlights the USA’s leadership and achievements in the space sector. It features a one-to-one scale replica of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. Falcon 9 is the first orbital class rocket capable of re-flight and most-flown operational rocket in the United States. Other exhibits featured at the US pavilion include moon rocks, one of the robotic vehicles that landed on the moon's surface, and many others.

Sheikh Mohammed also visited the China Pavilion, one of the largest country pavilions at Expo 2020 Dubai at over 4,500 sqm. Named ‘The Light of China’, the pavilion’s design is inspired by the iconic traditional Chinese lantern. Under the theme ‘Constructing the Community of Human Destiny – Innovation and Opportunity’, the pavilion showcases the nation’s achievements in the fields of information, science and technology, education, and communications.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid tour of Expo 2020 Dubai also included a stop at the national pavilion of Kazakhstan. He was received by the Commissioner-General of the pavilion, who gave His Highness a comprehensive presentation of what Kazakhstan is showcasing at Expo 2020. Featuring three storeys and four exhibition areas, the pavilion highlights Kazakhstan’s dynamic development, cultural diversity, rich human and natural resources, and its tourist, technological and investment opportunities.

Located within the Expo venue’s Opportunity District, the pavilion comprises interactive and tactile surface installations that allow visitors to explore Kazakhstan’s beautiful natural landscapes, resources, culture, biodiversity, and flora and fauna. The pavilion also showcases various projects in several areas including transit and transport potential, digitisation, industrialisation, human capital development and the environment.