THE MUSEUM OF THE FUTURE

This exceptional building on Sheikh Zayed Road in front of the Emirates Towers is one of the most complex ever built. It consists of an oval ring designed by South African architect Shaun Killa. Symbolically, the rounded shape represents both the fertile fields of the earth and the limitless fields of imagination associated with the sky, and thus the past, present and future. It is covered with 890 composite panels in stainless steel and fibreglass, which reveal several quotations from the ruler of Dubai in Arabic calligraphy. The building has been awarded LEED Platinum certification, in recognition of certain choices in favor of sustainable development, such as the use of recycled-content products, photovoltaic technologies and air-recovery systems. The Museum of the Future is a showcase for the major challenges and opportunities of tomorrow. It is an incubator for technological innovation and design. Opening at the end of February 2022, it provides access to different rooms, spread over 7 floors, via a double-helix staircase whose shape is inspired by that of DNA. The aim of the museum is to get visitors thinking about the major challenges of this century, such as food security, city building and freshwater supplies. The museum is also a center for researchers, designers and inventors, providing answers to crucial questions facing humanity, such as education, energy, transport and health. The museum thus echoes Expo 2020 and embodies the continuity of its slogan: "Connecting minds, Building the future". Just inside the museum's north entrance stands a huge sculpture of three fingers raised in the air. This is a sign often used by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai, to remind residents of the nation's values. It's a kind of patriotic salute known as the Serbian salute, which was presented to him in February 2013. The thumb, index and middle fingers, when raised, draw the letters W, V and L: initials of the English words Win, Victory and Love . These words symbolically represent the work ethic, success and love of country. Dubai amazes with all its monuments, and it's no wonder that in 2018, UNESCO singled out this city of the future, recognizing it as one of the most creative cities in terms of design. Dubai is the ^24th city in the world to receive this award, and the first in the Middle East.