For those who missed the closing ceremony, here’s a recap of the event, which was capped off with a heart-warming speech by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and a stunning performance by Christina Aguilera
Marking the close of the six-month Expo 2020 Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, said that the end of the World Expo offers the opportunity of “a new beginning” for the UAE and the world.
In an audio message delivered at the closing ceremony of the mega global event, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid added: “During the Expo 2020 Dubai journey, we portrayed to the world a different version of ingenuity that touched the hearts and minds of every member of society.
“In every moment of this journey, we reflected the values of the UAE – values of affection and hospitality. Today is not the end of Expo 2020, but a new beginning.”
Over 182 days, Expo 2020 Dubai brought together more than 190 participating nations, including multilateral organisations and academic institutions, as well as millions of visitors under the theme Connecting Minds, Creating the Future, to exchange new ideas and perspectives, inspire meaningful change, and create a brighter future for all.
The global event, which opened in October 2021, made history as the first World Expo to be held in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia (MEASA) region and the first to be hosted by an Arab nation.
For those who missed the closing ceremony, here’s a one-hour recap of the event, which was capped off with a stunning performance by Christina Aguilera and a heart-warming speech by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
The closing ceremony started with the Ishy Bilady, the National Anthem of the UAE, performed by a UAE-based children’s choir joined by the all-women Firdaus Orchestra, conducted by Yasmina Sabbah.
This was followed by an address by Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, the Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence and the Commissioner-General of Expo 2020 Dubai.
Sheikh Nahyan congratulated the UAE leadership on the exceptional success of Expo, which he said “will remain engraved proudly in the memory of history, and the world, as one of our young country’s many achievements.”
Sheikh Nahyan attributed the success of Expo to the remarkable efforts of its leadership team led by Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, as well as Reem Al Hashimy and her entire team.
The closing ceremony also featured “the young Emirati girl”, Mira Singh, who showcased her journey during the 182-day World Expo. The Sea of Nations segment showcased countries waving their flags while.
The cast of the closing ceremony of Expo 2020 Dubai included more than 400 professionals and volunteers from 56 different countries, with 745 costumes created for the culmination of the World Expo.
The ceremony also witnessed the baton for the World Expo being handed over to Osaka, Japan, which will host the next Expo in 2025.
Jai-chul Choi, the president of the General Assembly of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) thanked the UAE leadership for its support for the success of the event.
He also said that this is the first World Expo in which more than 190 countries participated with their own pavilions, which is a collective achievement and a demonstration of solidarity, fraternity, and international coordination.
Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance; Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group and Chairman of the Expo 2020 Dubai Higher Committee, also attended the closing ceremony of Expo 2020 Dubai, held today at Al Wasl Square.
The ceremony was also attended by Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council; Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority; Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence and Commissioner-General of Expo 2020 Dubai; Reem Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation and Director-General of Expo 2020 Dubai; as well as a number of officials.
SOURCE: arabianbusiness.com