AFTER being delayed by COVID-19 for a year, the Expo 2020 Dubai opened Oct. 1 and runs until March 31, 2022, during which the United Arab Emirates hopes to welcome about 25 million visitors, as it is considered the first universal exhibition held in the Middle East and the largest event globally since the pandemic.

The six-month-long exhibition offers Dubai a momentous opportunity to showcase its unique East-meets-West appeal as a place where all are welcome for business. Not long ago, the site of the 438-hectare expo was barren desert; now there are pavilions of more than 190 participating countries. Visitors can enjoy immersive cultural and technological experiences and discover what makes each country unique. Other thematic and organization pavilions also showcase the future through innovation and world-class expertise or address the global challenges of our time.(SD-Agencies)