Honouring the strong workforce that they are, Expo 2020 Dubai celebrated its 30,000-strong volunteer workforce on December 5 as part of International Volunteer Day.

Applauding their dedication and commitment to the World Expo, alongside their wider contributions to society, the celebratory event saw a series of events and panel discussions.

Held in partnership with the Ministry of Community Development and the United Nations Volunteers Programme, the event brought together representatives of Expo and local volunteering services to highlight the vital role that volunteers play at Expo 2020 Dubai.

It also saw the successes of the mega event’s volunteer programme, the experience it offers participants, and the diversity of both the nationalities involved and the roles available.

Talking at the event, Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, and Commissioner-General of Expo 2020 Dubai said, “Expo 2020 Dubai volunteers are the embodiment of the UAE's diverse and cooperation-loving community. We are proud that the volunteers –Emiratis and expatriates – demonstrate the best of our nation and share with us the journey of ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’ through their dedication and commitment, providing visitors with the highest-quality service. Expo 2020 Dubai volunteers have put themselves in the service of the nation and humanity.”

“The volunteering experience enhances an individual’s skills and allows them to give back to society and contribute to building a meaningful legacy for the UAE,” he said, adding that Expo 2020 is a remarkable, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, with valuable learning and networking opportunities.

The volunteer programme at the Expo 2020 features 30,000 volunteers, occupying different roles, serving visitors and participants, with allocations based on skills and interests. At Sunday’s flagship event, a group of 50 volunteers representing their peers were honoured on the Jubilee Stage in a moment of recognition and universal celebration.

Experts also discussed how volunteers play an invaluable role in working to improve the lives of those around them and looked ahead to the release of the UN’s State of the World’s Volunteerism Report (SWVR).