Expo 2020: Brussels shines in Dubai

After being postponed until 2021 because of the global health crisis, Dubai World Expo 2020 is ultimately taking place from 1st October 2021 to 31st March 2022. The major and popular event will build up Brussels’ international reputation, notably through the Belgian pavilion showcasing our three regions’ know-how.

Expo 2020 Dubaï will gather 170 attending countries as well as 25 million visitors during 6 intensive months of meetings, collaborations and innovative ideas exchange between attendees from Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Europe, in a 5 km² area to Connect mind and shape the future*…

Just as its structure divided in three zones, the exhibition highlights mobility, sustainability and opportunity. Three critical global issues addressed by Brussels, Flanders and Wallonia during several exchanges and events.

*Dubai Wold Expo’s main theme

A green arch in the Land of Black Gold 

Our pavilion is located at the earth of the ‘mobility zone’ and abuts directly on the main avenue. Designed by Assar Architects and Vincent Callebaut an built by BESIX, the green arch was erected on a surface of 2.180m², enjoys an exceptional exposure and provides the perfect venue to welcome the 15.000 expected daily visitors.

A pavilion perfectly fitting the sustainability and mobility themes

Sustainability is the very foundation of this architectural gem, reflected by:

• A circular economy of water: through the green facade made of thousands of local plants reducing indoor temperature by 3 to 5 degrees;
• The use of Belgian bio-based materials or materials coming directly from Belgium;
• An engineering based on circular construction principles.

Inside the pavilion, a scripted exhibition walkthrough highlights the latest technologies and innovations in mobility developed and stimulated by the three Belgian regions.

Brussels’talent in the spotlight

hub.brussels is grasping the chance to build up Brussels’ reputation overseas by sending a delegation of companies active in the economic, political and cultural sectors to the event in order to create networking opportunities.

Handicrafts & high-quality products

Dubai is a regional hub for trendy and unique products. In order to reach the local business community, a temporary exhibition hall showcasing products  (the Brussels Corner) will be built in the Dubai Design District, where our companies will enjoy:

• an easy and large flow of visitors;
• a space intended for B2B meetings;
• a digital presence offering a great exposure and additional marketing opportunities by allowing visitors to book meetings online.

Financial services and fintech innovation

The United Arab Emirates are an important financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and Southern Asia, and represent a gateway to emerging markets. hub.brussels will help Brussels entrepreneurs understand the unique dynamics of these economic ‘ecosystems’ through:

• pitching sessions;
• networkings and meetings with local peers;
• visit of Dubai (DIFC) financial center;
• meetings with family offices and financial institutions.

Construction, real estate and urban development

The United Arab Emirates are a urban development paradise! The following urban development activities will be organizes:

• visits of iconic buildings;
• a guided tour of Dubai Sustainable City
• a forum on urban planning with Dubai municipality;
• a visit of Besix 3D‘s concrete printing facilities;
• a meeting with property developers (Emaar, Nakheel, Damac,…);
• a visit of District 2020 to dicover the future of the EXPO 2020 site;
• visits of iconic sustainable pavilions on the EXPO 2020 site.

Art, folklore and culture

The Belgian Pavilion will welcome prestigious actors from the Brussels cultural scene to showcase the richness and creativity of Brussels culture.

• Ommegang Procession: The famous Brussels grand scale traditional and historical event will exceptionally move to Dubai that week for a series of performances as part of the EXPO 2020 in order to showcase Brussels’ heritage on the world’s scene.  Animations in front of the Pavilion are planned from February 2nd in the afternoon.
• The Jazz Station big band: Toots Thielemans, the famous Brussels musicians often honored as the best jazz-harmonica-player in the world, would have turned 100 in 2022. The Jazz Station big band will offer an overview of his musical career during this Brussels mission and perform in several formations to introduce the public to the richness of his jazz music. A stage installed in front of the Pavilion will welcome them in the afternoon from February 2^nd.
• Charles Kaisin: The Belgian designer will exhibit from February 1st the participative project “Origami for Life” that he created to help healthcare during the pandemic. Thanks to the tens of thousands of individual works he collected, the artist produced installations that crossed the borders.