Curated by the United Arab Emirates Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai, this panel discussion tackles the critical and timely issue of water management in the UAE's arid environment. The session also explores new innovations for the procurement of fresh water through more sustainable means, and how these efforts contribute to the UAE's environmental stewardship and encourage more responsible water management.

Keynote panelists include Dr. Dinesh Shetty, Assistant Professor of Chemistry at Khalifa University; Dr. Saeed Alhassan, Founder of Manhat; and Dr. Lina Yousef,
an entrepreneur. The session is moderated by Dina Storey, Director of Sustainability at Expo 2020 Dubai.

Water Security in the Desert: Conserving and Future-Proofing Our Oasis

Curated by the UAE Pavilion, this panel discussion sheds light on the challenges of water management in arid environments, and explores sustainable innovations to procure fresh water in the UAE.

Exhibitor logo

EXHIBITOR Magazine Announces World Expo Award Winners

EXHIBITOR Magazine's World Expo Awards

Inside Expo_New

The Powerhouse Pavilions

UAE 1

stamp UAE Pavilion PNG

Witness sustainability in action as the pavilion's 28 wings open to reveal solar (photovoltaic) panels.

UAE 3

The UAE Pavilion's breathtaking oculus takes the form of the Expo 2020 logo.

UAE 4

UAE Image Gallery

Open-heartedness and ambition are values captured by the UAE Pavilion, designed by renowned architect Santiago Calatrava. The remarkable building is reminiscent of a falcon in flight, inspired by our national bird. Once inside, go on a multisensory journey that chronicles the rise of a nation of “dreamers who do”. Traverse a dreamlike landscape filled with dunes of real sand to learn about our nation’s founding father Sheikh Zayed, the natural wonders of the Emirates and their rapid modernisation. Be inspired by stories of the UAE dreamers building an inclusive future as the desert sun filters through the pavilion’s oculus. 

The design of the UAE Pavilion evokes a falcon in flight; referencing the Emirates’ traditional art of falconry. The main building resembles a titanic oval, with a grand, four storey entrance set into the tip. More than 25 feather-like panels are arranged at the dome of the pavilion, each curving down toward the entry of the structure. 

UAE 2

and powerful

Graceful

UAE Pavilion

Water fuels our sustenance but also moves money, goods and people around the world, provides a valuable source of renewable energy, and enables the world’s food to grow. This week will help us understand how to preserve and sustainably manage this precious finite resource for infinite uses. The programme will highlight the true value of water, as well as progress and best practice in ensuring clean and adequate water for people, industry and the planet.

water-1920x1080

 How will we protect our most precious resource today, for tomorrow?

Water Week 

Dr Dinesh Shetty

Dr Saeed Alhassan

Dr Lina Yousef

Dina Storey

Dina Storey, Moderator

UAE Pavilion's Dreamer Dialogues | Water Security in the Desert: Conserving and Future-Proofing Our Oasis

Energy generation accounts for a large percentage of greenhouse gas emissions, but also holds answers for achieving a sustainable future.

Access to affordable energy is a basic requirement for development in today’s world. Today while some 770 million people lack access to electricity, energy generation is one of the largest contributors to global emissions.

Renewable energy currently represents close to 30 percent of total electricity supply worldwide. And some studies indicate solar and wind energy could entirely replace fossil fuels by 2050. However, technical, economic and policy challenges continue to exist, slowing down progress, when we indeed might need to accelerate it. 

With climate change topping global political agendas, and the world’s commitment to limiting the planet’s warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius in the balance, the focus on transforming how we produce and use energy is as important as ever.

Fuelling a Sustainable World in 2030

Global Access

This World Majlis convenes thought leaders, visionaries and changemakers to focus on how the world can achieve a sustainable future by transforming the way we produce and use energy.

Session programme - Power to Change the World

AUS 1

stamp Australia

Image Gallery

Capped by a digitally enhanced “cumulus cloud” that provides shade in the daytime and a canvas for dazzling light displays at night, the Australia Pavilion is a vibrant showcase for the kind of imagination Australians like to call “Blue Sky Dreaming”.

Inside and out, the focus here is on Australian innovation. From the ancient astronomy of the Aboriginal peoples, which you can learn about through an immersive projection show on the pavilion’s interior dome, to the sustainably produced timber that forms the pavilion’s hill-shaped exterior, there’s no shortage of blue-sky ideas here to explore.


Australia

With a crescent-shaped first level that resembles dusty hills and a cloud-like shade structure hanging overhead, the Australia Pavilion is designed to evoke a dramatic Outback landscape. 

AUS 2

Outback landscape

A dramatic

Australia Pavilion

Opportunity I: The Global Goals and Expo 2020

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are our global blueprint for a better world, a collective ambition for equal opportunities for all. During the week, Expo will showcase not just how far we have come, but also how we can join forces and unite to achieve this international roadmap. In addition, the Global Goals Week will shed light on best practices in last-mile delivery, livelihood and the women and girls agenda. 

A Global Stage for the SDGs

global-goals-theme-week-800x450n

What do we need to do together today for a better world in 2030?

Global Goals Week

World Majlis | Power to Change the World: Fuelling a Sustainable World by 2030

World Expos have always been meeting places for people across cultures and geographies; an opportunity to come together and celebrate human ingenuity and forge meaningful human connections. As the first World Expo to be held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region, and with the participation of more than 192 countries, Expo 2020 Dubai looks to take this legacy even further. The Build Bridges track of Expo 2020 Dubai’s Programme for People and Planet features a tapestry of event series and experiences that celebrate our common humanity and the vital connections that can help us prosper together as a worldwide community.

Knowing One Another Better

Build Bridges image

Build Bridges 

Build Bridges Icon

Explore a series of exciting conversations inspired by the theme of Expo 2020 Dubai. The World Majlis is a vibrant forum where diverse points of views are shared on important topics of our time. Each conversation brings together globally recognised thought-leaders who are invited for their exceptional contributions to the theme and their unique perspective on the topic. In each Majlis, students and members of the public are also welcome to contribute and engage.

World Majlis

Conversations on complex issues that bring together thought leaders, visionaries and changemakers.

The islands of São Tomé and Príncipe are home to an extraordinary biodiversity. Its forests and ocean support unique species that live exclusively on these islands and people communities as well. The Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe is aware of the urgency to protect its unique ecosystems and the need to find sustainable solutions (such as those that involve raw and processed food, medicines, timber and non-wood forest products) to support both people and biodiversity. The commitment of this country to protect one of the last biodiversity-rich places in the world is key and in line with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals. This conference will show some examples of projects developed in the country, such as the sustainable use of agroforestry local products to combat food safety while reducing impact of preserved forests, and the conservation of endangered species through the involvement of people.

Dehydrated Fruits and Olive Oils

Sao Tome and Principe

A conference showcasing some of the projects developed in São Tomé and Príncipe to preserve the country's extraordinary biodiversity.

Inside Expo: Sustainability I: The World’s Oldest Innovator

Inside Expo: Sustainability II: Harnessing the Sun

Terra - The Sustainability Pavilion - Audio Guide

Terra

stamp Terra

Terra - Carousel

At Expo 2020, sustainability is an urgent, attainable reality, and Terra – The Sustainability Pavilion is the proof. Both immersive exhibition space and exemplar of environmental self-sufficiency, Terra is a pioneering piece of architecture that pushes the limits of renewable design.

The pavilion’s 130-metre-wide solar canopy – so vast that you could park 10 city buses head-to-tail atop it – converts sunshine into electricity for the exhibits below. Artfully funnelled natural light and local plant species, together with technologies that can reduce water consumption by 75 per cent, show the way to a sustainable future.


Inspiring experiential journey through our shared sustainable future

Two immersive paths to choose from: beneath a forest and beneath an ocean

LEED Platinum environmental features, including solar power and water recycling

Terra 

terra

Videos

Terra is a super-sized marvel of forward-thinking design. The pavilion’s technology generates enough energy in a year to power a Nissan Leaf to drive halfway to Mars, while another system captures moisture from the air you breathe and turns it into drinkable water. Enter and take a fantastical journey through the wonders of nature, humanity’s challenges and the promise of our shared future. 


terra 

of harmonious living

A model

The Sustainability Pavilion

Terra is home to five thought-provoking art installations from artists around the world, with each piece demonstrating a response to the issue of sustainability.

Terra Art Installations

Young visitors can explore a fantastical world inspired by Terra's very own octopus, Octavia.

UAE Pavilion's Dreamer Dialogues | Water Security in the Desert: Conserving and Future-Proofing Our Oasis

Water Security in the Desert: Conserving and Future-Proofing Our Oasis

Speaker of the day

Speaker

Dr Dinesh Shetty

Speaker

Dr Saeed Alhassan

Speaker

Dr Lina Yousef

Speaker

Dina Storey, Moderator

Speaker

Dr Dinesh Shetty

Speaker

Dr Saeed Alhassan

Speaker

Dr Lina Yousef

Speaker

Dina Storey, Moderator

Participants

Water Week .