DUBAI — Saudi Arabia inaugurated its state-of-the-art pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai on Friday, kicking off a six-month World Expo experience that will take visitors on a journey through the Kingdom's rich past, vibrant present, and promising future. The idea of "seeing is believing" is at the heart of the experiences the Saudi Pavilion offers visitors. The journey showcases a future-forward Saudi Arabia: welcoming, young, diverse, and vibrant. The pavilion represents the Saudi people, ambitious and talented individuals across different sectors, powering the Kingdom's transformation under Vision 2030. Across business opportunity and tourism, culture and nature, Saudi Arabia has much to offer throughout its 13 unique regions – including five UNESCO World Heritage Sites – and the pavilion enables visitors to get a first glimpse of a fascinating destination that has yet to be discovered. The pavilion's inauguration was attended by vice chairman of the supervisory committee of Saudi Arabia's pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai, Mohammad Al-Tuwaijri; Saudi Arabia's Ambassador to the UAE, Turki Al-Dakhil; the Commissioner-General of the Saudi Pavilion, Hussain Hanbazazah; and GCC countries' ambassadors, and officials and cultural figures from around the world. Al-Tuwaijri said: "The pavilion reflects the Kingdom's growth and prosperity during the reign of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman." "Our Pavilion showcases the many ambitious projects under Saudi Vision 2030, formulated by the Crown Prince and embodies our journey to new horizons of development." Hanbazazah said: "Saudi Arabia's participation in Expo 2020 Dubai stems from the Kingdom's cultural values, and its capabilities and ambitions." The pavilion invites visitors to experience the transformation underway in the Kingdom under Vision 2030, powered by our welcoming, diverse people and the energy and optimism of the next generation. The journey also enables the business community to identify, seize and create opportunities in the Kingdom, contributing to economic diversification and national development. The pavilion offers rich and varied content, activities and programs covering the economy, development and culture, targeting all segments from children and families to businessmen and investors. "All visitors will see Saudi Arabia as it is: an exciting fusion of old and new - an ancient and evolving tourist destination for adventurers, explorers, and luxury travelers and a destination unlike any other," Hanbazazah said. "Our Pavilion is a bridge that will connect the people of Saudi Arabia to the world and will help deepen regional and global ties." The pavilion's content was designed under the supervision of an official national committee headed by Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan. The dignitaries were among the first to experience the pavilion's 14 cultural landmarks along a stunning escalator ride, including acclaimed UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as At-Turaif District in Ad-Diriyah, Hegra Archaeological Site in AlUla, and Historic Jeddah. The briefing featured an introduction to the audiovisual guide, through which guests can explore 23 destinations such as world-leading giga-projects that are rewriting the possibilities of sustainable development. The visit concluded with a peek of a trail through Saudi Arabia's stunning nature. The Saudi pavilion, the second largest after the UAE's, is one of the most sustainable structures at Expo 2020 Dubai. It has been awarded LEED version 4 Platinum rating from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), the highest internationally recognized sustainability rating in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. The pavilion has earned three Guinness World Records for the largest interactive lighting floor, the longest interactive water feature, and the largest LED interactive digital mirror screen.
