Australia plans to focus on key trade, economic, export and education opportunities for its Expo 2020 Dubai programme and activities.

"Expo represents an exciting opportunity for Australia to play a leading role at what is being referred to as the global business Olympics,"  Australia’s commissioner general Justin McGowan said in a media briefing on 24 August.

The UAE is Australia's largest trade partner in the Middle East, in areas including construction, financial and professional services, tourism and education.

"Throughout the six-month-long event, the best of Australia will be on show to the world," McGowan said. "We will be showcasing the strength of our economy and world-class capabilities through a combination of in-person and virtual events."

Australian companies including Woods Bagot and Voyage Control have already secured over AUD170m (AED453m) worth of expo-related contracts.

The Australian Trade & Investment Commission (Austrade), in collaboration with Australian states and territories, industry bodies, research institutions, and partner nations, is preparing an extensive trade and investment programme across priority sectors. These include education, food and agribusiness, water, sport, healthcare, infrastructure, mining and resources, space and digital technology.

Australian delegations plan to participate in events across the UAE, which coincide with the expo, including GITEX Technology 2021, WETEX, Gulfood and Arab Health.

Alongside the physical expo, the pavilion will offer virtual capabilities through a platform that will allow visitors to tour its premises and tune in to speaker sessions remotely.

Unveiling the pavilion

The media briefing provided an exclusive preview of the completed Australian pavilion, located in the Expo's mobility district. 

Visitors are taken through three distinct sections – the Welcome Stories tunnel, the Star Dreaming planetarium experience and an storytelling exhibition space dubbed Annika’s Journey – before reaching the open forecourt where visitors can come together to dine, reflect and celebrate "true Australian culture and hospitality".

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