Historical context: This article reports events from Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to the UAE in December 2021, when Expo 2020 Dubai was under way.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman toured the Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates pavilions at Expo 2020 Dubai on December 8, 2021, during an official visit to the UAE.

Tour of the Saudi and UAE pavilions

Mohammed bin Salman was accompanied during the Expo tour by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, then Crown Prince of Dubai, and Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who was then Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs.

The Saudi pavilion, located in Expo 2020 Dubai’s Opportunity District, presented aspects of the Kingdom’s people, nature, heritage and future opportunities. It was the second-largest national pavilion at the Expo after the UAE pavilion.

Visit to the UAE pavilion

The Saudi crown prince also toured the UAE pavilion, which presented the country’s history, culture, people and ambitions for the future.

Meeting with Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid

During the Expo visit, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, received Mohammed bin Salman. Their discussions included UAE-Saudi relations, Gulf cooperation and regional and international issues of mutual interest.

Part of an official UAE visit

Mohammed bin Salman had arrived in Abu Dhabi on December 7 for a two-day official visit. The Expo tour formed part of that visit and took place during the UAE’s Golden Jubilee period.

Expo 2020 Dubai

Expo 2020 Dubai opened to visitors on October 1, 2021 after being postponed from its originally planned opening because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The international event brought together participating countries through national pavilions and exhibitions in Dubai.