Dubai
His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, was briefed on the implementation of the project to construct Al Wasl Plaza, the central hub of the Expo 2020 site.
Accompanying Shaikh Mohammad at the briefing were Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai; Shaikh Ahmad Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Expo 2020 Dubai Higher Committee and UAE Minister of State Sultan Bin Ahmad Al Jaber.
The Al Wasl Plaza project will connect the main sections of the site of the Expo 2020 event, which is expected to see 25 million visitors from the UAE and across the world over a period of six months.
Shaikh Mohammad was briefed on the Al Wasl Plaza, a unique open space at the heart of the 4.38-square kilometre Expo site in Dubai South. With a diameter of 150 metres, the Plaza includes a 130m-wide domed trellis that will be the surface of a huge 360-degree projection experience. Through its seven entrances and exits, the Plaza will connect the three thematic districts — Opportunity, Sustainability, and Mobility — as well as the other main concourses, including the Dubai Metro link and the UAE Pavilion.
Expo 2020 Dubai signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Meraas Holding to implement the Al Wasl Plaza project. UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation and Director General, Dubai Expo 2020 Bureau Reem Al Hashemi and Group Chairman of Meraas Abdullah Ahmad Al Habbai signed the MoU on behalf of their organisations.
Meraas has delivered some of Dubai’s top destinations, such as City Walk, The Beach and The Outlet Village, and, under the agreement with Expo 2020 Dubai, will work to transform the conceptual design of Al Wasl Plaza into a reality by working with the architects and other consultants.
The Plaza has been designed to host experiences of all sizes and purposes, whether it be a small, intimate event or a large gathering of up to 10,000 people.
Shaikh Ahmad said: “Al Wasl Plaza represents an important symbol of Expo 2020 Dubai since it bears the old name of Dubai. This is why it will be a very distinguished destination that both lives up to its name and fascinates the visitors who will be flooding to Dubai from all over the world.
“It is also why we chose Meraas to manage the project all the way from design to the completion of construction. This company, which has extensive experience, has been involved in a number of the large structural projects of which Dubai is very proud.
“This makes us confident that Meraas will deliver Al Wasl Plaza to the highest levels of design and implementation, befitting the leading position our country occupies in the international arena.”
Expo 2020 Dubai will open its doors on 20 October, 2020 and will end on 10 April, 2021. Through its theme of ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’, it will be a festival for all, where everyone can learn, innovate, create progress and have fun by sharing ideas and working together.
Work is due to start on Al Wasl Plaza in the coming months and is expected to be completed by the end of 2019.
