The 2020 Dubai Expo has finally opened after being delayed by the covid-19 pandemic. An extravagant opening ceremony ushered in the global event, which will run until March 2022. A host of stars from the music world joined the spectacular ceremony. These included the world-renowned opera singer Andrea Bocelli, China's flamboyant pianist Lang Lang and Saudi Arabian singer Mohammed Abdu. International news agencies reported on the dazzling ceremony. CNN said: "Dubai doesn't do anything by half. The city always goes big." The Reuters news agency wrote about "the lavish ceremony of fireworks, music and messaging about the power of global collaboration for a more sustainable future".

The World Expo is a global event that takes place in a different city every five years. Its aims are to showcase solutions to fundamental challenges faced by humanity, and to bring people of the world together. Organizers of the Dubai Expo selected the theme: "Connecting Minds, Creating the Future". The Expo will also be dedicated to the sub-themes of sustainability, mobility and opportunity. It is the first Expo to be held in the Middle East. Over the next six months, 25 million visitors will see cutting-edge and cultural exhibitions from almost 200 countries. When Dubai made its bid to host the Expo, the city's ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum promised Dubai would "astonish the world".