Video: A virtual tour of the Dubai Expo 2020 site

The Expo 2020 site in Dubai is rapidly taking shape as the emirate prepares to host the first-ever Expo in the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia (MENASA) region.

The six-month long event will run from October 20, 2020 until April 10, 2021.

Around 180 countries are expected to participate in the World Expo 2020, which will be the first where all the participating countries have their own pavilion. The Expo will also see participation from companies, NGOs and educational institutions.

Read: Luxembourg becomes first country to break ground on Expo 2020 Dubai pavilion

Last month, the organisers of the mega event confirmed that they are preparing to award contracts related to parks and other works with construction well underway across the 4.38 square kilometre site.

Expo 2020’s three theme districts – Opportunity, Mobility and Sustainability, will contain a total of 136 pavilions for countries, NGOs and commercial partners.

On Sunday,  a video presenting a virtual tour of the Expo site masterplan was shared by Dubai Media office on Twitter.

المخطط الرئيسي لإكسبو 2020 #دبي @expo2020dubai pic.twitter.com/sgWtxazME5

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) August 25, 2018

Construction is advanced on the expo’s three theme districts, foundations are complete and buildings continue to rise from the ground, the event organisers said.

External cladding on three theme pavilions has begun and will be completed by year-end.

The sustainability pavilion, which aims to be self-sustainable for water and energy, is due for completion in October 2019.

All major design elements have now been finished, after the unveiling of the Al Wasl Plaza.

Read: Expo 2020 awards major plaza contract

Organisers awarded Dhs10.8bn ($2.94bn) of construction contracts last year and Dhs411m ($111.8m) of non-construction contracts.

Contractors who have worked on the site include Al-Futtaim Carillion, Khansaheb, Besix, Arabtec and Tristar Engineering. Al Naboodah Construction.

Read: Video: Expo 2020 Dubai site takes shape

An expected 25 million visits will be made to the event, with 70 per cent due to come from outside the UAE – the largest proportion in the history of World Expos.

Organisers describe the event, held under the theme, ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’, as the biggest “ever to be staged” in the Arab World.