Expo 2020 Dubai: Countdown to the world's greatest show is on

Millions of people will begin converging in Dubai this week as Expo 2020 Dubai, the world's biggest event due to kick off on Friday, 1st October 2021, under the motto Connecting Minds, Creating the Future. "We are ready to welcome the world and herald a new era of international collaboration," says His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. Sheikh Mohammed also reaffirmed the UAE's readiness to welcome the world to Expo 2020 Dubai and herald a new era of international collaboration. His Highness made these remarks as he visited the Expo 2020 Dubai site recently.

Architectural marvels and a long list of technological innovations will feature among the exhibits, or pavilions, showcasing the ingenuity of more than 190 countries.

The first world fair was held in London in 1851 when it was housed in the purpose-built Crystal Palace, and it featured the Eiffel Tower intended as a temporary attraction in Paris in 1889. Expo 2020 Dubai, taking place from October 1, 2021, to March 31, 2022, is the first international Expo to be held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia region. It also serves as a promotion for the UAE, with 25 million people expected to visit the event.

A historic ceremony will take place on September 30 to mark the opening of the much-awaited Expo 2020 Dubai, culminating ten years of the efforts of the Expo team. Above, Expo 2020 Dubai signage on Al Ittihad road.

Landmarks across Abu Dhabi lit up in yellow on Tuesday night to celebrate the upcoming opening of Expo 2020 Dubai. Above, Hazza bin Zayed stadium.

Abu Dhabi Media Office shared pictures of landmarks with the caption," # AbuDhabi's iconic buildings light up in yellow to mark three days to go until #Expo 2020 Dubai opens on 1 October".

Sheikh Zayed Bridge in Abu Dhabi.

Expo 2020 Dubai signage on Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed road in Sharjah.

Banners for the Expo 2020 Dubai outside the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) metro station in Dubai.

Visitors aged 18 and above will be required to present proof of any vaccine recognised by their national government or a negative PCR test taken within the previous 72 hours.

Non-vaccinated ticket-holders who have not been tested within this period can test at the PCR testing facility adjacent to the Expo 2020 site.

The Expo 2020 Dubai exhibition site in Dubai.

The Expo 2020 Dubai site and the roads leading to it have turned into a green oasis, with Dubai Municipality completing landscaping projects covering over 2 million square metres of area. Above, motorists pass a digital advertisement on Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai.

Banners at the Expo 2020 Dubai exhibition site in Dubai.

Abu Dhabi Municipality building.