Expo 2020 Dubai came to a close on 31 March.
Over the course of six months, Expo 2020 Dubai has brought together over 190 participating nations, as well as multilateral organisations and academic institutions.
Around 30,000 performances were held at the site at over 96 locations with 1,000 performances held at the Jubilee Stage and at the Dubai Millennium Amphitheatre.
Under the theme 'Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’, the event was the largest event in the world to take place since the beginning of the pandemic.
The closing ceremony started with the National Anthem followed by an address by His Highness Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence and Commissioner-General of Expo 2020 Dubai.
The Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) flag was then handed over, as the next Expo in 2025 will take place in Osaka Kansai in Japan.
The closing ceremony was also met with a star-studded lineup of performers including Yo-Yo Ma, Nora Jones and Christina Aguilera.
A stunning show was held at the Al Wasl Dome using pyrotechnics as fireworks lit up the sky.
Yo-Yo Ma played a captivating edition of Gabriel Oboe's 'Going Home' while Nora Jones performed 'As Tears Go By'.
The theme song for Expo 2020 Dubai, 'This Is Our Time' played as the flags of the participating countries were displayed.
The closing ceremony ended with a series of fireworks as Christina Aguilera sang 'A Million Dreams'.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai said, “During the Expo 2020 Dubai journey, we portrayed to the world a different version of ingenuity that touched the hearts and minds of every member of society. Our sons and daughters have proven their ability to overcome unprecedented difficulties and challenges. And in every moment of this journey, we reflected the values of the UAE – values of affection and hospitality. Today is not the end of Expo 2020, but a new beginning. The UAE and Dubai will continue, God willing, to be graceful and strong – and able, to Connect Minds and Create the Future with this exceptional government, and the leadership of my brother Mohamed bin Zayed.”