MONACO MIRRORING THE FUTURE AT DUBAI INTER-EXPO 2020
by Virginia De Masi
MONACO. Expo 2020 is a World Expo to be hosted by Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. EXPO 2020 Dubai is the first World Expo to be held in the Middle Eastern, African and South Asian (MEASA) region. EXPO 2020 site will occupy a total surface area of 4.4 km2 and is expecting more than 25 million visitors. Originally scheduled for October 20, 2020—April 10, 2021, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the new dates are October 1, 2021— March 31, 2022. Its theme is “Connecting minds, creating the future”. It will be divided into 3 sub-themes: Opportunity, Mobility and Sustainability. During the 6 months of EXPO, Monaco will be registered in “Opportunity”. In today’s highly interconnected world, a renewed vision of progress and development based on shared purpose and commitment is key. For 6 months, from October to April, over 100 countries will attend the international fair. As the result from a 10 months-long tender process, the Principality of Monaco and Monaco Inter Expo (MIE) have appointed the winning concept. The Cologne-based agency facts and fiction has been selected to realize the Monaco Pavilion at EXPO 2020 Dubai as the turn-key contractor.
In a team composed of the Monegasque architect Olivier Deverini (AODA) and the Swiss architect office OOS, the agency provided the most convincing concept to showcase the vision of Monaco 360º. The Principality of Monaco is proud to present, during the six months of the Exhibition, all the assets of Monaco that makes it a key meeting point where ideas, people and technologies connect.
Art, culture and science, gastronomy, hospitality and luxury, research, the environment, new technologies … all these areas of excellence that characterize the Principality of Monaco will animate, during 183 days, Monaco Pavilion, through shows, conferences and exhibitions. Visitors of EXPO 2020 Dubai will have the pleasure to discover in Monaco Pavilion the vision and assets of one of the smallest countries in the world already committed to the future. The overarching theme of the Monaco pavilion is “Monaco 360º”.
Within this theme, Monaco will uncover the multi-facets and opportunities the country has to offer through an attractive and content-loaded exhibition. The Principality of Monaco focuses on its stances, its energy-related measures, and its ecological awareness. The theme of the pavilion focuses also on the physical aspect – Monaco’s location on the Mediterranean Sea – and the intellectual aspect – the duality between humankind and nature. The format, design, and choice of content are closely related. The aim is to highlight the importance and the issues surrounding energy transition and good practices. In close collaboration with the Monaco government, Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer is working to promote its appeal internationally. The exhibition allows Monaco organisations to develop ties with the host country, grow its activities, and work with other participating countries. Dubai is the first city in the United Arab Emirates. Located on the Persian Gulf, it is the capital of the Emirate of Dubai, and it has more than one million inhabitants. The agglomeration of Dubai exceeds 3.2 million inhabitants. Dubai is also the country’s leading port and has the most international airport in the world.
