Pictures: Expo 2020 Dubai opening ceremony

The flag ceremony of 190-plus participant countries commences in a moving display layered by the soulful vocals of Abdo and Kidjo.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces and Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence during the opening ceremony of the Expo 2020 Dubai.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai declares Expo 2020 Dubai open.

A woman carries the flag of the Expo 2020 Dubai with the other national flags during the opening ceremony.

Expo 2020 Opening Ceremony fireworks.

Hussain al-Jassimi, Mayssa Karaa, and Almas perform during the opening ceremony.

Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli sings 'The prayer', standing in front of the 'Tree of life'. Bocelli is joined by the star-studded line-up of the night on stage.

Star performers at the opening ceremony set things off in Dubai’s distinctive style.

A logo of the Expo 2020 Dubai is projected during the opening ceremony, on September 30, 2021.

An Emirati old man and a young girl wander the plaza in an intergenerational tableau play. The gold ring unearthed at Saruq Al Hadid archaeological site that inspired the Expo 2020 logo is being handed over to posterity as a symbol of progress and hope.

Opening Ceremony, Expo 2020 Dubai.

Artists perform during the opening ceremony of the Expo 2020 Dubai in Dubai.

Andra Day performs during the Expo 2020 Opening Ceremony.

Expo 2020 Dubai.

Opening ceremony of the Expo 2020 Dubai.

Dimitri Kerkentzes, Secretary General of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), the governing body of World Expos speaks during the Expo 2020 Opening Ceremony, Expo 2020 Dubai.

Artists perform during the opening ceremony of the Expo 2020 Dubai.

Artists perform during the opening ceremony of the Expo 2020 Dubai.

Mohammed Abdu performing at the Expo 2020 Opening Ceremony, Expo 2020 Dubai.

Ellie Goulding performs during the Expo 2020 Opening Ceremony.

'Dubai welcome' states the opening act of the show. Bright lights shine through the dome of Al Wasl Plaza as Emirates air hostesses greet the world in different languages.

Artists perform during the opening ceremony of the Expo 2020 Dubai.

Husssain Al Jassimi performs as the opening act. Marhaba Ya Hala being sung.

Guests arrive at the opening ceremony of Expo 2020 Dubai.

The national flags of countries participating in the Expo 2020 Dubai are lined up at the entrance of the venue.

Emirati men line up to welcome guests during the Expo 2020 Dubai opening ceremony.

Yasmina Sabbah and the Firdaus Orchestra perform at Expo 2020 Opening Ceremony,

Opening ceremony of the Expo 2020 Dubai.

Dancers perform during the opening ceremony.

Performers line up to welcome visitors at the site of Expo 2020 Dubai on September 30, 2021.

photo Clint Egbert/Gulf News

One of the entrances of the Expo 2020 Dubai site.

Crowd watch the live streaming at City walk in Dubai.

Dancers perform during the opening ceremony.

People watch the live streaming at Ibn Batuta mall in Dubai.