United Nations pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai aims to inspire millions

The global organisation wants to bring the world together at next year's highly-anticipated event

Maher Nasser, commissioner general of the United Nations at Expo 2020 Dubai, said the event is a unique opportunity to engage with millions of young people.

The United Nations aims to inspire millions of people to join together to tackle the planet's most pressing challenges at Expo 2020 Dubai.

The UN will have a high-profile platform from which to deliver its vital message after being given a dedicated pavilion at next year's eagerly-awaited international event.

Maher Nasser, commissioner general of the United Nations at Expo 2020 Dubai, said the world fair will allow the organisation to engage directly with young people.

The UN will mark the 75th anniversary of its foundation during the global gathering, which is being held in the Middle East for the first time from October 20, 2020 to April 10, 2021.

The pavilion will carry the theme 'We the Peoples: Shaping Our Future Together’, tying together the opening words of the 1945 Charter of the United Nations with the 75th anniversary theme of shaping the future together.

"Youth is a top priority for the UN and with a majority of Expo visitors expected to be young people, Expo offers a great opportunity for us to engage with millions of youth and young visitors," Mr Nasser told The National.

“For the UN, Expo 2020 in Dubai offers an opportunity to expand our engagement with the public in a region that is geographically far from all UN headquarters.

“The UN sees Expo 2020 as more than an exercise in sharing ideas or raising awareness; it is an opportunity to inspire visitors to think about how they can take part in shaping the future by working together with the UN.”

The UN will be provided with a built pavilion by organisers as part of its mission to deliver the most inclusive and international expo in an illustrious history dating back to 1851.

The pavilion will include spaces for events, discussions and hold exhibits that tell the story of UN programmes to help visitors understand the work undertaken and the people who benefit from its funds.

The UN’s 2030 agenda is focused on sustainable development, with the ambition to create a better world for all people.

“Life on our planet could have a bright future – or a dim one – depending on whether we work together to solve global challenges collectively and fulfil the promises of Agenda 2030, or allow the rise of unilateralism to undermine the spirit of multilateralism; ignoring our achievements since 1945 when the UN was created,” Mr Nasser said.

“Participating at Expo 2020 Dubai offers the UN an additional platform to share with millions of visitors and participants concrete examples of the value of working together to tackle global challenges and build a peaceful, sustainable and just future.

“We also hope they will be inspired to identify ways in which they can also be agents of change for good.”

“We want visitors to experience first-hand the power and potential of peoples and governments of the world working together to eradicate poverty and ensure peace, justice and security for all.

“Young people must have the strongest say in how their planet needs to be managed.”