Dubai Expo 2020 pavilions begin to rise from the desert (Video)

The National -- The pavilions planned for Expo 2020 Dubai are seen rising from the desert sand in the latest sneak peak of the construction site released by Dubai Media Office on Saturday.

The 55-second video shows a birds-eye view of the development building up to Expo 2020 and juxtaposes the construction to date with artistic renderings of what the World Expo pavilions will look like when completed.

“We’re at the centre of something extraordinary,” reads the text on screen over images of Al Wasl Plaza, which lies at the heart of the 4.38-square-kilometre site. The plaza will feature a dome made up of intricate steelwork provided by Cimolai Rimond Middle East General Contracting over a lush green public square. “Preparing a meeting point for millions.”

The roads for Route 2020 - at 15km extension of the Dubai Metro to the site - are shown to be taking shape linking the structures for the Mobility and Sustainability pavilions.

Expo 2020 Dubai is where “nations and people will collaborate,” the video narrates, “and together we’ll help shape a better future.”

More than 180 countries are expected to take part in the Expo 2020 Dubai. It will be the first World Expo to be held in the Middle East and North Africa.