Pics: Saudi unveils Expo 2020 pavilion design

Saudi Arabia has unveiled the design of its pavilion at the Expo 2020 in Dubai.

The pavilion will be second in size only to that of the UAE pavilion, covering an area the size of two football pitches.

The facade opens like a large window and the pavilion will give visitors an experience of the kingdom’s transformation through exhibition displays which highlight the country’s openness to businesses and tourists, and its desire to build links and collaborate with countries.

Construction of the pavilion, designed by Boris Micka Associates, began in early February 2019.

“This design perfectly captures the determination of the kingdom to fulfill its promise of being an ambitious nation while conveying a message of dynamism and partnership with the world,” said Mohammed Al-Tuwaijri, ministry of Economy and Planning and chairman of the Supervisory Committee for Saudi Arabia’s participation in Expo 2020 Dubai.

“All Saudis can be proud of the vision that this ground-breaking pavilion will deliver to the world.”

Reem Al Hashimy, UAE minister of State for International Cooperation and director general of Dubai Expo 2020 Bureau, said: “Saudi Arabia’s pavilion at Expo 2020 will offer visitors a chance to experience the country’s rich heritage and culture, while demonstrating how our region is working together to create a better future for everyone.”

So far, 190 nations have confirmed their participation in Expo 2020.

The expo – the first to take place in the MEASA (Middle East, Africa and South Asia) region – will run for six months.

Organisers expect to record 25 million visits between October 20, 2020 and April 10, 2021, with 70 per cent of visitors projected to come from outside the UAE – the highest proportion of international visitors in the 168-year history of World Expos.

Read: Video: Dubai Expo 2020 site takes shape, construction to be done by October