News

One year to go until UK National Day at Expo 2020 Dubai 

10 February 2021:
 

The UK National Day at Expo 2020 Dubai will be celebrated on 10 February 2022, it has been announced today. 

One of the key moments in any nation’s programme of activity during the six-month event is their National Day. The UK’s National Day will ‘Celebrate Extraordinary’, recognising the UK’s contribution to the world and the exceptional British people, places, businesses and innovations that inspire new thinking and solve shared problems through international collaboration.

From science and technology to films, fashion and food, UK’s National Day will provide a taste of the very best that we have to offer the world. Visitors from 190 participating nations will be treated to a programme of sensational British performances, talks and interactive experiences across the Expo 2020 site. This will include an immersive projection on the Al Wasl Dome, a procession and a flag raising ceremony. Further events will take place in the stunning UK Pavilion which occupies a prime location in the Opportunity District.

The UK Pavilion is also co-hosting a World Majlis on the ‘Chemistry of Happiness’. World Majlis events at Expo 2020 start a global conversation on topics of great significance for our times and society. ‘Chemistry of Happiness’ will provide a platform for diverse, accessible and through-provoking opinions on one of the major concerns of the global society – mental health. This complements the wider theme of the UK Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai of ‘Innovating for a Shared Future’.

Laura Faulkner OBE, UK Commissioner General for Expo 2020 Dubai, says, “Amazing things happen when different people with different backgrounds, life experiences, skills, voices, talents and perspectives come together. The UK is a diverse country full of problem solvers and creative talents, a nation known for the breakthroughs we’ve made – and contributed to – that have benefited billions of people around the world.

“The UK’s National Day will be a fantastic opportunity for us all to celebrate our exceptional talent, creativity and ideas and find new partners across the world to collaborate with. We continue to face enormous global challenges, but it will be extraordinary people, businesses and innovations that help us to solve those challenges and move forward to a prosperous shared future.”

The first World Expo to be held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region and the largest event ever held in the Arab world, Expo 2020 Dubai will now open on 1 October 2021. Speakers and participants in the UK National Day festivities will be announced throughout the year as the event grows closer.

ENDS

The UK at Expo 2020 Dubai

The UK is participating in Expo 2020 Dubai, taking place from 1 October 2021 to 31 March 2022. More than 190 nations are taking part with 70% of the visitors expected from around the world. The overarching theme for Expo 2020 Dubai is ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’. Under the theme ‘Innovating for a Shared Future’, the UK’s participation will boost the country’s global reputation, drive future partnerships and provide long term economic benefit.

 

The UK’s participation in Expo 2020 Dubai will be led by the Department for International Trade (DIT), with support from the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, the Department for Culture, Media & Sport, the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, the Department for Transport, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and the Devolved Administrations. The UK’s presence will consist of a self-build country Pavilion, based in the ‘Opportunity’ district and an accompanying business, cultural, tourism and education events programme.
 

Find out more on the UK at Expo 2020 Dubai website