Expo 2020 reveals its Programme for People and Planet, rallying the global community to become agents of change

DUBAI: Expo 2020 Dubai has revealed the calendar for its Programme for People and Planet, an extraordinary schedule of events, experiences, thought-leadership and public conversations that aims to find solutions for some of the most pressing problems facing our world.

Designed with and for the global community, the Programme for People and Planet will harness the connecting power of World Expos to catalyse a legacy of transformative change.

The Programme for People and Planet will run across the entire six months of Expo 2020, anchored by 10 Theme Weeks and 18 International Days, each of which explore key issues of global significance. Through the Theme Weeks, participants will investigate solutions to critical global challenges, ranging from mitigating climate change and biodiversity loss and making human habitats more sustainable, to bridging the digital divide and ensuring equal access to education and healthcare.

More than 220 events will take place as part of the programme, from large forums and public conventions, to seminars and workshops. Expo 2020’s signature platform for connecting minds, the World Majlis series will play a prominent role, with 53 individual sessions set to engage visitors over the course of the six months.

Underpinned by the themes of technology and innovation, youth and women and girls’ empowerment, the Programme for People and Planet will assemble an unparalleled array of perspectives, fostering exchanges of impactful ideas between leading experts (including wildlife advocate Dame Jane Goodall, Eden Project founder Sir Tim Smit, and Her Excellency Sarah Al Amiri, UAE Minister of State for Advanced Technology and the woman behind the Emirates Mars Mission), the 191 nations participating in Expo 2020, as well as business leaders, grassroots actors, and the wider global community.

Unlocking bold aspirations to shape a healthier, safer, cleaner and more equitable future for all, the programme will demonstrate that each and every one of Expo 2020’s partners, participants and visitors, whether attending Expo physically or participating remotely via virtual and digital channels, can – and must – become an agent of change.

Nadia Verjee, Chief of Staff, Expo 2020 Dubai, said: “Sitting at the heart of our World Expo, and taking place at a moment in time that could not be more urgent or opportune, the Programme for People and Planet is the manifestation of our theme and purpose, ‘Connecting Minds, Creating The Future’. It will not only form an essential part of our event-time activities, but will also catalyse a one-of-a-kind movement to shape the legacy that Expo 2020 leaves the world, long after we close our doors, resulting in a meaningful and measurable impact for generations to come.”

The Programme for People and Planet reflects challenges and opportunities facing not just the decision-makers of today, but all 7.8 billion people living on this planet. Five tracks cut across the programme, forming a rich tapestry of exciting events that explore the 10 Theme Weeks through distinct lenses:

Expo’s cultural track, Build Bridges, will break down boundaries, harnessing the power of storytelling, art and music to foster intercultural dialogue and knowledge exchange.

Expo’s social-development track, Leave No One Behind, will spotlight the importance of opportunity for all, asking the question: what can we do today to create a more equitable tomorrow? This track will also have a particular focus on gender equality and last-mile communities at risk of marginalisation.

Climate change is the most serious threat facing our planet – the actions we take now will impact the environment we leave for future generations. The Live in Balance track will focus on how the global community can work together to restore balance with the planet.

At a time of global economic change, the Thrive Together track concentrates on tangible business opportunities. It puts the prospect of robust and resilient growth, and productive partnerships, at the centre of Expo 2020.

Fifty years ago, the Founding Fathers of the UAE conceived a bold vision to carve out a new future for their people. The fifth track, Vision 2071, focuses on the future and how anything is possible if we – the global community – work together.

Visitors to Expo 2020 will also be able to explore the topics raised in the Programme for People and Planet by embarking on a curated Visitor Journey. Aligned with the 10 Theme Weeks, these self-guided tours will be available on the Expo 2020 app and will allow visitors to discover the different ways in which countries, businesses and other organisations are responding to the key challenges we are facing as a global community.

Running from 1 October 2021 to 31 March 2022 and coinciding with the UAE’s Golden Jubilee, Expo 2020 will bring the world together, fostering an open, global dialogue that looks to the future and addresses some of the most pressing issues facing our world today. Millions of visitors from across the globe will be invited to join the making of a new world, learning how we can ensure a future that is fair and inclusive for all, and creating a global movement that will leave a lasting legacy of positive change.