It is for the first time an Arab world nation is hosting a World Expo in the history of expos and the majority of the recognition also goes to the workers who toiled hard to build the magnum opus infrastructures that it is today.

 
Thus, to honour their work, the Expo 2020 Dubai team has paid a touching tribute to workers who helped bring the event to life. They did so by dedicating a monument to the workers that were recently revealed at the Expo site.

The ‘Workers’ Monument’ celebrates the work of over 200,000 workers from around the world who were a part of the construction of the event and was unveiled by Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation and Director General, Expo 2020 Dubai.

Designed by renowned London-based architect Asif Khan, the Workers Monument features every worker’s name carved into stone structures. These structures have been inspired by the Moon’s metamorphosis in eclipse. The cylindrical columns take reference from the traditional science of cartography and the fine engineering seen in astrolabes from the Islamic world.

Located along the main walkway of Expo’s Jubilee Park, the colonnade, comprising columns are cut from a single monolithic block. The monument reflects a spirit of collaboration that is deeply rooted in the UAE and supports the vision and spirit of Expo 2020.

The event is the first global event of this size in the Middle East and at this scale to be held since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Since the ground was first laid on the vast Expo site in 2015, the 200,000-plus workforce from across the globe completed over 240 million working hours, transforming the huge span of desert into the incredible home of Expo 2020, a world-class city of the future and a beacon of the Dubai Urban Master Plan 2040.

Expo 2020 has also developed a Workers’ Portrait Series, which includes images that capture the diversity and spirit of the Expo workforce, along with their inspiring quotes, highlighting their achievements and aspirations for the future. These images will also be displayed at the Expo on the digital screens around the Public Realm, where they will be seen by visitors from around the world. A selection will also be exhibited at the Expo Media Centre Gallery during Expo 2020.