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Around 2.7m children visit Expo since opening
Expo 2020 Dubai’s focus on children and education has boosted its visit numbers, which have soared to 19,009,065, up almost 1.6 million in a week, with 2.7 million children under 18 visiting the site since the event opened in October last year.
Expo 2020 Dubai’s virtual visitation numbers have crossed 180 million, driven by the diverse entertainment available via Live@Expo and extensive coverage of Expo 2020 Dubai’s Programme for People and Planet.
With just over two weeks left, Expo 2020 Dubai is looking forward to its legacy and the next generation of innovators – from budding scientists to big thinkers.
Earlier this month, the world’s youngest TEDx speaker, six-year-old Kiara Kaur, talked to an adult gathering on ‘Small Change Big Difference’ at the Mexico Pavilion and spoke across the site as part of International Women’s Week activities. Also, children visiting the Dubai Cares Pavilion have been designing their ‘dream school’ in a challenge to aid a theoretical earthquake-hit area.
On March 5, innovative young students and their teachers gathered at Dubai Exhibition Centre for the fourth edition of the Emirates Young Scientist Competition, which forms part of the National Science Technology and Innovation Festival (NSTI), showing off their inventions to create a better future.
DUBAI, 07 March 2022. Students at Jumeirah Primary School, Dubai visit the Sweden Pavilion, Expo 2020 Dubai. (Photo by Katarina Premfors/Expo 2020 Dubai)
The Expo school programme offers four immersive journeys, allowing the students to embark on educational tours through the site’s three Thematic Districts (Opportunity, Mobility and Sustainability) and pavilions with experiences aligned with diverse school curricula in the UAE.
On March 18, to mark Haq Al Laila, Expo 2020 Dubai, in conjunction with the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Community Development, will welcome children and families in a unique event in Al Forsan Park.
Haq Al Laila is a time of celebration that symbolises giving and is celebrated on the 15th of Shaaban, in preparation for the arrival of the holy month of Ramadan two weeks later. In the evening, Emirati children wear colourful, traditional clothes and go door-to-door in their neighbourhood singing a song in exchange for sweets.
DUBAI, 14 March 2022. American School of Creative Science, Sharjah perform during Expo Young Stars at Al Wasl, Expo 2020 Dubai. (Photo by Anthony Fleyhan/Expo 2020 Dubai)
For Haq Al Laila, Expo 2020 will be distributing 200,000 goodie bags for children, including crisps and sweets. A camel parade, comprising 50 camels, will entertain young visitors in the evening, while bespoke stamps will be available at some Visitor Centres and The Family Place. The Majlises near these Visitor Centres will have panels explaining the meaning and significance of Haq Al Laila.
On March 15 – Khaleeji-led jam sessions to showcase the best of Arabic music and culture – and novelty Filipino pop-rock group Parokya Ni Edgar taking the stage on March 18.
DUBAI, 14 December 2021. Children at Expo 2020 , Expo 2020 Dubai. (Photo by Antony Fleyhan /Expo 2020 Dubai)
Expo Sports Arena is encouraging visitors to get involved in a Guinness World Record attempt for the most nationalities in a fitness class at one time on 17th March, or deep dive into meditation with the Dylan Werner Fitness Special on 15th March.
The final Theme Week of Expo 2020 Dubai – Water Week – begins on March 20. Raising awareness that water is a finite source and currently under threat, the week is a call for collective global action and looks at what we can all do to be proactive agents of change.
Highlighting Expo 2020’s look towards the future and emphasis on young minds, teachers and children will be among the honoured VIP guests at the Expo 2020 Dubai closing ceremony in Al Wasl Plaza on March 31.
Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is transforming the way residents and visitors pay for public transport.
The familiar nol card is evolving into a smarter, digital payment system that will support QR tickets, digital wallets, bank cards and a new generation of nol cards.
The upgrade is expected to roll out in phases beginning in 2027, making public transport payments faster, more flexible and more convenient.
What is changing?
The current card-based ticketing system will be replaced with account-based ticketing (ABT).
Instead of storing your travel balance only on the physical card, your balance and travel information will be linked to a secure digital account.
This means you can access your travel account across multiple devices and payment methods without relying solely on a single plastic card.
How will you be able to pay?
Once the new system is fully launched, commuters will have several payment options, including:
- QR code tickets
- Upgraded nol cards
- Bank debit and credit cards
- Smartphone digital wallets
- Linked customer accounts
The aim is to give passengers greater flexibility while reducing queues and making travel across Dubai more seamless.
Three phases of the nol upgrade
Phase 1: QR ticketing
The first stage will introduce QR code tickets through digital platforms, allowing passengers to purchase and use tickets electronically.
Phase 2: new-generation nol cards
A redesigned nol card will be introduced with enhanced technology.
The upgraded cards will:
- Link automatically to customer accounts.
- Be compatible with bank card technology.
- Support improved security and easier account management.
Phase 3: Bank cards and digital wallets
Passengers will be able to pay directly using:
- Debit cards
- Credit cards
- Apple Pay
- Google Wallet
- Samsung Wallet and other supported digital payment platforms
This means many commuters may no longer need to carry a separate transport card.
What new features will users get?
The upgraded system will introduce several account management features, including:
- Create a personal nol account.
- Link multiple nol cards to one account.
- Add nol cards to smartphone wallets.
- Buy transport tickets using QR codes.
- View travel history and daily transaction statements.
- Block lost or stolen cards.
- Recover remaining balances.
- Enable automatic top-ups through linked bank accounts.
Families will also be able to link multiple nol cards under one account and manage top-up amounts for each family member.
Will nol cards be used for shopping?
Yes.
One of the biggest changes is that future nol cards are expected to function similarly to bank cards, allowing users to make purchases through digital channels and at participating retail outlets across the UAE.
This expands the card’s use beyond public transport.
Will public transport fares change?
The RTA has confirmed that the upgraded platform will support more flexible fare structures across different modes of transport.
However, no new fare prices or tariff changes have been announced.
When will the new system launch?
According to the RTA, the project is already 72% complete.
The rollout will begin in phases during 2027, with new features becoming available progressively.
Why is Dubai upgrading nol System?
The upgrade is part of Dubai’s broader Cashless Strategy, which aims to make digital payments the standard across government services and daily life.
It also supports the city’s vision of creating a smarter, more connected transport network by integrating multiple transport services into one seamless payment ecosystem.
For commuters, the changes mean greater convenience, fewer physical cards to carry, and a faster, more flexible travel experience across Dubai’s public transport system.
Private sector employees in Dubai can now report workplace concerns directly through the DubaiNow app using a new digital service called Worker’s Voice.
Developed by Dubai Police and integrated into the DubaiNow platform by Digital Dubai, the service enables workers to submit complaints online without visiting a government service centre.
Here’s everything you need to know.
What Is the Worker’s Voice service?
Worker’s Voice is a digital complaint service available on the DubaiNow app. It allows private sector employees to raise concerns about their employer through an official government platform.
Workers can submit complaints individually or as a group, making it easier to report issues while reducing the need for in-person visits.
What complaints can employees raise?
The service covers a range of workplace-related issues, including:
1. Salary and wage issues
Employees can report:
- Unpaid salaries
- Delayed wage payments
- Unauthorised salary deductions
2. Working conditions
Workers can file complaints about:
- Excessive working hours
- Violations of employment contract terms
- Lack of mandatory rest breaks
- Denial of annual leave or other legal entitlements
3. Employee accommodation
Complaints can also be submitted regarding:
- Poor living conditions
- Unsafe or overcrowded accommodation
- Failure to meet approved housing standards
4. Health and safety concerns
Workers can report:
- Unsafe workplaces
- Lack of protective equipment
- Occupational health and safety violations
How to submit a complaint
Filing a complaint is straightforward:
- Open the DubaiNow app and sign in using your UAE Pass.
- Navigate to the Worker’s Voice service under the police, justice or safety services section.
- Enter details about your employer and describe the issue clearly.
- Submit your complaint electronically.
Once submitted, the complaint is forwarded through official channels managed by Dubai Police for review and follow-up.
Do you need to visit a service centre?
No. One of the biggest advantages of the new service is that workers can complete the entire complaint process digitally through the DubaiNow app, eliminating the need to visit a government office for initial reporting.
What is DubaiNow?
DubaiNow is the Dubai Government’s unified smart services platform, offering access to more than 250 services from over 35 government and private sector entities.
Residents can use the app to pay bills, renew government services, access official documents and now report workplace issues through Worker’s Voice.
Is Worker’s Voice the same as MoHRE?
Not exactly.
The Worker’s Voice feature is designed to help employees report workplace concerns through DubaiNow and Dubai Police.
However, employment disputes involving labour law interpretation, contract mediation, end-of-service benefits or cases that may proceed to the Labour Court are generally handled by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE).
Workers with complex employment disputes may still need to file or continue their case through MoHRE’s official channels.
The addition of Worker’s Voice makes it easier for private sector employees to report workplace concerns quickly and securely. By moving the process online, Dubai aims to improve access to government services, strengthen worker protection and encourage faster reporting of labour-related issues.
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