Meet our Sponsors

Akuo in a nutshell

Akuo is the major French independent producer of distributed renewable energy. Akuo is present over the whole value chain: development, financing, construction, and operation. With more than 350 members of staff to date, the group, whose headquarters are in Paris, is established in 18 countries in the world.

Akuo in figures

Akuo, Excellence sponsor of the France Pavilion

Akuo will install its Sunstyle® solar tiles on the entire roof and facade of the France Pavilion, enabling us to meet our needs for durability, energy autonomy and aesthetics of the Pavilion.

Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise in a nutshell

Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise delivers the customised technology experiences enterprises need to make everything connect. ALE provides digital-age networking, communications and cloud solutions tailored to ensure customers’ success, with flexible business models in the cloud, on premises, and hybrid. All solutions have built-in security and limited environmental impact. 

Over 100 years of innovation have made Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise a trusted advisor to more than 830,000 customers in 100 countries around the world. The privately-owned company with headquarters in France has over 2900 direct business partners worldwide, achieving an effective global reach with a local focus.

Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise in figures

Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise, Excellence sponsor of the France Pavilion

Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise will implement the 4700 sq meter France Pavilion with networking and communication solutions to meet all connectivity needs of the visitors.

AXA in a nutshell

The AXA group is a world leader in insurance and investment management with 171,000 employees serving 105 million clients in 61 countries.  AXA has been present in the Gulf for since 1951 and is one of the major players in the region. As a multisector company, AXA offers a wide range of services and tailor-made insurance products to individuals and businesses, covering car, home, health, pensions and savings.

AXA in figures

AXA, Excellence sponsor of the France Pavilion

AXA will participate at the Expo 2020 Dubai, providing insurance expertise and support to the France Pavilion.

Bureau Veritas in a nutshell

Bureau Veritas is a world leader in laboratory testing, inspection and certification services. Created in 1828, the Group has more than 75,000 employees located in more than 1,500 offices and laboratories around the globe. Bureau Veritas helps its clients improve their performance by offering services and innovative solutions in order to ensure that their assets, products, infrastructure and processes meet standards and regulations in terms of quality, health and safety, environmental protection and social responsibility.

Bureau Veritas in figures

Bureau Veritas, Excellence sponsor of the France Pavilion

For the France Pavilion, Bureau Veritas will carry out the evaluation technical work required to ensure the France Pavilion complies with the best professional practices and all applicable regulations. Moreover, Bureau Veritas will help Cofrex with environmental quality and social and environmental responsibility for the France Pavilion.

FLYING WHALES in a nutshell

FLYING WHALES is a French company developing a major industrial program launched in France, then joined by China in 2017 and by Canada in 2019 whose maiden flight will take place in 2024.

This project includes:

• An aeronautical program & manufacturing company for the development of the LCA60T, a rigid airship for point-to-point transport (i.e. no need for transport infrastructure) for heavy and/or bulky loads (up to 60 t) in the hold or under slings at a low cost with a negligible environmental impact,
• An operating company which will operate the LCA60T for its end users and will manage on three continents a fleet of 162 LCA60T and their bases, with control centers for each operational region.  

FLYING WHALES carries out this program with support from:

• International cooperation (especially in Canada) 
• Around forty French and Canadian companies with its leading partners in "risk sharing"
• A world-class management team including, in program management and technical roles, executives from major international aeronautical programs
• Significant public funding in addition to shareholders’ equity: for development and for the production infrastructure 
• Its industry-leading shareholders whose controlling company is made up of major French players (Région Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Bouygues, ADP, Air Liquide, ONF)

The transport solution under development will be revolutionary: the LCA60T will load and unload up to 60 tons in hover flight (no contact with the ground) and will feature a hybrid propulsion chain which allows for an eventual transformation to being 100% electric. 

With its worldwide unique capacities, the LCA60T addresses the industrial equipment & parts transport market, the wood sector capable of extracting this renewable resource with no environmental impact to increase in wood-based construction, and the economic opening-up of regions under economic development with insufficient transport infrastructures.

Flying Whales in figures

FLYING WHALES, Excellence sponsor of the France Pavilion

FLYING WHALES will be in the permanent exhibition to introduce its unique futuristic mobility solution. With its unique solution for providing sustainable cargo transport to landlocked and isolated regions around the world, FLYING WHALES is fully in tune with the challenges of building the world of tomorrow - a world the France Pavilion will be bringing to light over the next six months. 

In the area of the France Pavilion's permanent exhibition dedicated to Mobility, FLYING WHALES will showcase its innovative vision of air cargo transportation: carrying on fostering economic and social development while minimizing its environmental impact.

Through a modern handling of an iconic item of the previous century's World expositions, FLYING WHALES will offer the visitors a physical and digital experience allowing them to see one of tomorrow's key means of transportation.

GREENTECH in a nutshell

Pioneer in biotechnology, GREENTECH GROUP creates high-tech active ingredients from natural sources from plant, marine and microbial worlds. Addressed to major markets (cosmetic, healthcare, feed & food, agronomy and environment), the GREENTECH GROUP’s innovations represent proven and sustainable alternatives, based on balanced relationships with local producers around the world, in the service of future generations. We source nature to resource the future.

GREENTECH in figures

GREENTECH, sponsor of the France Pavilion's Oceans fortnight

GREENTECH is the Thematic sponsor for the France Pavilion's fortnight dedicated to Oceans.

Île-de-France Region in a nutshell

With a little more than 10,000 agents (nearly 90% of whom work in high schools), 209 elected officials and a budget of 5 billion euros, the Île-de-France Region is active in most of the areas that affect the daily lives of the 12 million people living in the Ile-de-France region: transport, high schools, apprenticeships, economic development, the environment, etc.

Île-de-France Region in figures

L'Oréal in a nutshell

L’Oréal has devoted itself to beauty for over 100 years. With its unique international portfolio of 36 diverse and complementary brands, the Group generated sales amounting to 29.87 billion euros in 2019 and employs 88,000 people worldwide. As the world’s leading beauty company, L’Oréal is present across all distribution networks: mass market, department stores, pharmacies and drugstores, hair salons, travel retail, branded retail and e-commerce.

Research and innovation, and a dedicated research team of 4,100 people, are at the core of L’Oréal’s strategy, working to meet beauty aspirations all over the world. L’Oréal sets out ambitious sustainable development goals across the Group for 2030 and aims to empower its ecosystem for a more inclusive and sustainable society.

Pernod Ricard in a nutshell

Pernod Ricard has made “creators of conviviality” its vision and signature. The Group, through its presence, will focus on creating moments of sincere and spontaneous exchange to stimulate dialogue and sharing of ideas.

Pernod Ricard is the world’s No 2 in wines and spirits with consolidated sales of €8,448 million in FY20. Created in 1975 by the merger of Ricard and Pernod, the Group has undergone sustained development, based on both organic growth and acquisitions: Seagram (2001), Allied Domecq (2005) and Vin&Sprit (2008). Pernod Ricard, which owns 16 of the Top 100 Spirits Brands, holds one of the most prestigious and comprehensive brand portfolios in the industry, including: Absolut Vodka, Ricard pastis, Ballantine’s, Chivas Regal, Royal Salute, and The Glenlivet Scotch whiskies, Jameson Irish whiskey, Martell cognac, Havana Club rum, Beefeater gin, Malibu liqueur, Mumm and Perrier-Jouët champagnes, as well Jacob’s Creek, Brancott Estate, Campo Viejo, and Kenwood wines. Pernod Ricard’s brands are distributed across 160+ markets and by its own salesforce in 73 markets.

The Group’s decentralised organisation empowers its 19,000 employees to be true on-the-ground ambassadors of its vision of “Créateurs de Convivialité.” As reaffirmed by the Group’s strategic plan, “Transform and Accelerate,” deployed in 2018, Pernod Ricard’s strategy focuses on investing in long-term, profitable growth for all stakeholders. The Group remains true to its three founding values: entrepreneurial spirit, mutual trust, and a strong sense of ethics, as illustrated by the 2030 Sustainability and Responsibility roadmap supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), “Good times from a good place.” In recognition of Pernod Ricard’s strong commitment to sustainable development and responsible consumption, it has received a Gold rating from Ecovadis. Pernod Ricard is also a United Nations’ Global Compact LEAD company.

Pernod Ricard is listed on Euronext (Ticker: RI; ISIN Code: FR0000120693) and is part of the CAC 40 and Eurostoxx 50 indices.

Pernod Ricard in figures

RATP Group in a nutshell

Present in 13 countries, across four continents, the RATP Group is a global leader in urban mobility. On a daily basis, our 65,000 employees work round-the-clock to develop, operate, maintain and modernise innovative public transport systems, and to meet the mobility needs of travellers.  RATP Group operates daily eight means of transport (metro, tram, urban and inter-urban buses, regional trains, sightseeing, maritime shuttles, cable transport and transport on demand), and is also present, in partnership, on the new mobility chain on four other modes (autonomous shuttles, electric scooter, carpooling and car sharing). The RATP Group offers reliable and connected mobility solutions for smart, sustainable cities.

An expert and committed group, at the service of the territories and their inhabitants

Every day around the world, the RATP group takes up the challenges of mobility in territories and cities facing major climate emergency and social inclusion issues. Passenger transport is the cornerstone of its history, but the group has never stopped reinventing itself to improve its performance and offer new solutions, new modes and new services. In a context of changing uses, its global, integrated expertise is at the service of all. 

RATP Group in figures

RATP Group, Excellence sponsor of the France Pavilion

On the France Pavilion, RATP Group will promote French savoir-faire and excellence for smart and sustainable cities.

Schneider Electric in a nutshell

Schneider’s purpose is to empower all to make the most of our energy and resources, bridging progress and sustainability for all. We call this Life Is On. 

Our mission is to be your digital partner for Sustainability and Efficiency.    We drive digital transformation by integrating world-leading process and energy technologies, end-point to cloud connecting products, controls, software and services, across the entire lifecycle, enabling integrated company management, for homes, buildings, data centers, infrastructure and industries.   We are the most local of global companies. We are advocates of open standards and partnership ecosystems that are passionate about our shared Meaningful Purpose, Inclusive and Empowered values.   

Schneider Electric in Dubai 

At the France Pavilion, Schneider Electric will showcase building and energy management solutions as part of France’s focus on innovation in supporting the Sustainable Development Goals, in particular SDGs that relate to affordable and clean energy, industry, innovation, and infrastructure, sustainable cities and communities and climate action.

Suez in a nutshell

Suez is active on all five continents where it brings real world solutions to local authorities, industry, consumers and agriculture for the smart and sustainable management of their resources.

Suez in figures

The perfect innovative, highly competitive solution for civil and military launch systems and space applications – that’s what they give to their institutional, commercial, and industrial customers. 

Devialet in a nutshell

Devialet is an (French - for Asia only) acoustical engineering company operating at the intersection of luxury and cutting-edge technology. 

Devialet is on a mission to elevate sound to its rightful place in people's lives by delivering uniquely meaningful audio experiences through iconic products.

Devialet in figures

Devialet, Associate Sponsor of the France Pavilion

At Dubai, Devialet will offer an immersive and unique experience on October 2 at the occasion of France National Day, and on October 3rd.

Duvivier Canapés in a nutshell

Maison Duvivier's French savoir-faire français de la Maison Duvivier

For seven generations since 1840, Maison Duvivier has developed a unique knowledge of craft trades by integrating the most advanced technologies of the furniture industry. The materials used by Duvivier Canapés are the essential ingredient in the quality of our sofas, armchairs and furniture, which are treated with great care right from the time they are selected to the time they are turned into furnishings. The Maison guarantees its long-term expertise due to the implementation of a diversified and sustainable development, built around four key areas: material, savoir-faire, commitment and character.

The expert knowledge of the designers, upholsterers and furnishers has been passed on from one generation to another, thus guaranteeing that the products are completely manufactured in France and recognised by the “Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant (Living Heritage Company)” label.

Duvivier Canapés shapes its DNA in French craftsmanship

Since 2006, the label “Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant”, awarded by the French State, has valued and encouraged French culture and its savoir-faire. It distinguishes those French companies with artisanal and/or industrial expertise. This distinction has been awarded to Maison Duvivier Canapés since the label was created.

Duvivier Canapés is also acknowledged for its strong local presence, its attachment to the region of Vienne, a true indicator of quality and proof of its willingness to serve French manufacturing. The two manufacturing plants are located to the south of Poitiers. The leather and fabric workshops, as well as the assembling of the furniture, has always been located in Usson-du-Poitou. The accompanying carpentry workshop has chosen to locate in Lussac-les-Châteaux.

This decision has helped to secure local jobs and maintain traditional artisanal skills, as well as enabling the company to be part of an ecosystem close to the Vienne region and to France. This area also provides a supply of French woods, leathers and fabrics of the highest quality providing the authenticity of the furniture, the guarantee of their origin and their French character.

Sustainability working at the behest of design

For Duvivier Canapés, their furniture is not something perishable, nor is it an accessory.. Their furniture reveals the soul of an establishment and makes you feel at home. This concept of furniture with a long lifespan is at the juncture of a change in the consumer model. A model that promotes sustainability, not instant gratification. A model which also gives preference to quality over quantity and which gives back meaning to reliability and loyalty. Duvivier Canapés combine manufacturing excellence based on proven traditional methods, with a modern concept to renew the art of French living. This means that the furniture will not deteriorate with age. Quite the contrary, it stands the test of time.

Duvivier Canapés, France Pavilion's Associate Sponsor

Duvivier Canapés will be supplying the furniture to the Espace George Sand in the Belvédère of the France Pavilion, a prestigious event space.

In Dubai, Immertech will showcase its Voyager pod to allow visitors to travel to visual and sound contents created for the World Expo without even moving. 

IMMERTECH in a nutshell

Immertech sets out to create new more sustainable and accessible ways of travelling. Its products are solutions which both help to reduce physical travel and its impact on our ecosystems, and give everyone the chance to travel and explore the world.

IMMERTECH in figures

IMMERTECH, Associate sponsor of the France Pavillon 

For six months, IMMERTECH will bring you a 360° immersive experience with its VOYAGER BY IMMERTECH® capsule on display in the France Pavilion’s Belvédère suite. During this time, visitors will have the chance to experience one of the holy grails of sci-fi technology: teleportation.

Through the power of its fully-immersive proprietary technology, the VOYAGER BY IMMERTECH® capsule gives users a unique teleportation experience. Visitors will never ever forget the feeling of being in another location or seeing people live in other countries while still seated comfortably in the capsule. Immertech’s combination of cutting-edge technology and French expertise has created an almost-mystical out-of-body experience.

For the entire Dubai World Expo, the immersive capsule will present a wide range of content that ties in with the France Pavilion's ‘Focus Fortnights’: just some of the experiences lined up include an exploratory journey to stimulate users’ imaginations about space exploration, an exploration of a biome altered by human activities in order to examine our impact on the environment, and an in-depth and engaging look at the cities of the future, which presents an alternative approach to how we can design infrastructure.

Les Maisons du Voyage in a nutshell

Les Maisons du Voyage are travel agencies that encourage their customers to learn more about the countries they visit and the people they meet. They share a common theme: to match their travel offerings to their customers’ preferences. And they have kept that promise since 1991. In each region of the world, a team of experts travel around seeking out the most beautiful or most unusual places, finding the best locations to satisfy requests for personalized tourism, whether it’s a tailor-made tour or a group travel adventure. Thanks to a huge range of offers available, Les Maisons du Voyage puts its talented teams to work finding the very best cultural events (conferences, exhibitions, forums) that will unveil a completely new side of any destination.

Les Maisons du Voyage, Associate Sponsor of the France Pavilion

Through the partnership with the France Pavilion at Expo 2020, Les Maisons du Voyage have put together a full program: tailor-made trips, guided tours, group trips or stopovers. The possibilities there are to enjoy this global event are almost endless. There are also plenty of wonderful opportunities to explore the rest of the region.

Atout France in a nutshell

With more than 90 million international visitors welcomed in 2018, overseas territories included, France broke a new record in terms of international tourist flows (+3% compared to 2017) and remains the world’s leading tourism destination.  At the inter-ministerial meeting on tourism in January 2018, the Prime Minister reiterated the government's objectives (100 million visitors to France in 2020 and revenue of €50 billion) and confirmed Atout France's role in its missions, firstly to renew what’s on offer for tourists and maintain its quality, through engineering and the funding for major tourism projects in the French regions. Moreover, to encourage the development and promotion of destination brands (and their businesses) on international markets. 

France destination in figures

Business France is the national agency supporting the international development of the French economy, responsible for fostering export growth by French businesses, as well as promoting and facilitating international investment in France.

CCI FRANCE UAE in a nutshell

Created in 2021, CCI FRANCE UAE is a private organization under local law, result of the strategic alliance between the French Business Council Dubai & Northern Emirates and the French Business Group Abu Dhabi. 

With more than thirty years of experience in the UAE, CCI FRANCE UAE's main missions are to: 

• Strengthen and promote Franco-Emirates relations, through its privileged relationships with local governmental entities.
• Support French-based companies in their set-up and business development in the UAE.
• Animate French and Francophile companies by offering networking opportunities, sectorial and functional events with high added value. 
• Promote member companies within the business community in the UAE. 

CCI FRANCE UAE in figures

CNRS in a nutshell

The French National Centre for Scientific Research is one of the world’s most widely recognised and renowned public research organisations. For over 80 years it has met the highest standards of excellence in terms of recruitment, and has developed multi- and interdisciplinary research across France, Europe and the world. Committed to the common good, it contributes to scientific, economic, social and cultural progress in France.

The close links the CNRS has forged between its research activities and their applications in society make it a key player in innovation today. Partnerships with companies form the basis of its technology transfer policy. These include more than 150 joint undertakings with industry, together with the launch of around a hundred start-ups every year, testifying to the economic potential of its research programmes.  

The CNRS contributes to knowledge sharing by making its research activities and data available to the widest possible audience, including scientific communities, the media, decision-makers, economic players and the general public. 

CNRS in figures

CRI (Center of Interdiscplinary Research) in a nutshell

CRI is an association founded in 2006 by François Taddei and Ariel Lindner. It co-creates and shares new means of learning, teaching, doing research and mobilizing collective intelligence in the fields of life, education, and digital sciences to take up the challenge of UN's sustainable development goals (SDGs). CRI is supported in its research and teaching efforts by numerous patrons, foundations and institutions such as the University of Paris, the City of Paris and the Bettencourt Schueller Foundation.

Abroad, CRI and UNESCO are at the origin of the #LearningPlanet initiative that was launched in 2020. #LearningPlanet is an open alliance that is already bringing hundreds of partner organizations together across the world around events (#LP Festival, International Day of Education) and emblematic educational projects addressing priorities such as sustainable development, children's rights and health, new learning models, etc. 

CRI, Institutional sponsor of the France Pavilion

On the France Pavilion, CRI will offer an immersion at the heart of the infinite space of knowledge. Through this exhbition designed with poetry, everbody will be able to realize the uncountable connections that bind different disciplines (arts, sciences, techniques, etc.) and cultures with each other.

Beyond this quick and sensational immersive experience, interested visitors will be invited to deepen online the topics related to new means of learning in the 21st century, to AI and collective intelligence, to participative sciences, etc.

The CRT Côte d’Azur France works in close collaboration with all tourism stakeholders, including elected officials, institutions and professionals, as part of a territorial marketing approach that benefits the entire Côte d’Azur.

Through its expertise and know-how, the CRT actively intervenes in and supports major projects carried out by the entities and territories in the region in the fields of sport, culture, protection of territories… within the framework of specific partnerships.

It also ensures that the balance between coastal and mountain areas is maintained through the CÔTE d’AZUR FRANCE and ALPES brands, and that the destination’s constituent sectors, structured by the Côte d’Azur France Clusters (sport, culture and MICE), are developed.

Its network of ambassadors spreads a positive and dynamic image of the CÔTE d’AZUR FRANCE destination through social networks and promotes the tourist, heritage and cultural wealth of the territory.

Awarded for a five-year period, this label brings together manufacturers which share a common vision of the activities they believe should define their business, with special emphasis on protecting and passing on know-how.

INMA in a nutshell

The French Artistic Crafts and Living Heritage Council is a public-interest association under the umbrella of the Ministry of the Economy, Finance and Economic Recovery, the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport. It provides support to businesses in the artistic crafts sector as well as those certified as Living Heritage Companies. It helps promote French savoir-faire throughout France and worldwide.

With actions that include the coordination of European Artistic Crafts Days (6,000 events), efforts to promote joint undertakings by professionals, professions, institutions, businesses, decision-makers and influencers, the production of sector-related data and reference documents, running of the Maîtres d’art-Élèves scheme, awareness-raising among young people and support for training initiatives and management of the French government’s “Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant” (EPV) - Living Heritage Company label, INMA conceives and champions actions geared to promoting an artistic crafts sector that is accessible and inspiring – an ambassador of world-class French excellence.

The artistic crafts and living heritage's ecosystem 

ANEPV in a nutshell

The Association Nationale des Entreprises du Patrimoine Vivant, or the National Association of Living Heritage Companies, is the association that brings together all companies which have obtained the Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant (EPV) – Living Heritage Company label. Its mission is to run the national network of EPV companies with support from regional associations, which act as representatives at local level throughout France. The aim is to foster communication between the companies, contribute to their growth and boost their visibility both in France and abroad. 

The Antoine de Saint Exupéry Youth Foundation in a nutshell

The Antoine de Saint Exupéry Youth Foundation, was created in 2009, under the auspices of the Fondation de France, by the family of the author of The Little Prince and Night Flight, his admirers and celebrities from the cultural, scientific, and aeronautical spheres.

True to the spirit of the French author and aviator who defended a society based on respect for humankind, cultural diversity, cooperation, commitment and individual responsibility, Saint Exupéry Foundation carries out various philanthropic actions aiming to improve the daily life of the youth and to help it to get a better grasp of its future.

The Foundation is committed to carry out generous and lasting action for the benefit of the youth through its network of field organizations in France and abroad, supporting tangible projects in the fields of education, culture, disability and the struggle against illiteracy. This is achieved with the help of patrons, sponsors, and ambassors of good will.

A few of the Foundation's remarkable actions

Association Sipar (Cambodia) Access to reading

Financing of mobile libraries to promote reading for the most deprived Cambodian children through book-related activites, educational games, and awareness campaigns about health, hygiene, environmental issues, etc.

Association Arrimage (France) Acxess to culture for the benefit of young blind people

Educational workshops and a Braille edition of The Little Prince with its relief drawings in order to make this Saint Exupéry-illustrated masterpiece accessible to visually-impaired and blind people for the first time.  

Cours Antoine de Saint Exupéry in Asnières-sur-Seine (France) Access to education

Financing of the 8th grade class of the Cours Saint Exupéry, a school of the Espérance Banlieues network (a device for equal opportunities).

Writing contest « Antoine de Saint Exupéry » Promotion of Francophonie

Invitation for all young people in the world to write in French around themes related to the life and work of Antoine de Saint Exupéry: space with astronaut Thomas PESQUET, aeronautics with French singer CALOGERO and its song "Voler de nuit", oceans with French sailors Thomas COVILLE and François GABART, laurates of the Saint Exupéry Trophee...

Institut de l’Engagement (France) Access to higher education

Financing of "Antoine de Saint Exupéry" scholarships for the Institute's laureates in relation with the pilot-writer's values in favor of underpriviledged young people.

The Little Prince international day Réflexion sur les grands enjeux du XXIe siècle

This international day is an occasion to celebrate the Little Prince phenomenon with all its admirers. The official date is June 29th, on Antoine de Saint Exupéry's birthday.

In 2021, this Little Prince day will address the themes of ecology and the preservation of the planet, in relation with Antoine de Saint Exupéry's pioneering and visionary spirit.

La Antoine de Saint Exupéry Foundation in figures

Annecy International Animation Film Festival in a nutshell

Each year in June, animation enthusiasts of all its forms – cartoons, paper cut-outs, modelling clay, stop-motion, 3D – are celebrating.

Nestled between lakeside and mountains since 1960, the Annecy International Animation Film Festival celebrates the best of animation film. It has rapidly become the world’s biggest event dedicated to this inventive cinematographic technique. Complemented in 1985 with the addition of the International Animation Film Market (Mifa) – the unmissable event for the animation film industry that brings together over 800 international exhibitors – the Annecy Festival now draws over 12,000 participants, students, professionals and journalists. 

Over the course of an entire week, a competition with different categories (feature films, short films, TV films, graduation films, virtual reality works) is held, as well as world premieres, open-air screenings, retrospectives, conferences, exhibitions, signing sessions and other workshops. Celebrating the creativity and diversity of styles and techniques (from drawing to VR), from blockbusters to author films, Annecy creates a drawbridge between art and industry enabling talents from around the world to meet each other. Around thirty prizes are awarded annually, and the most prestigious is the Annecy Cristal. Over the editions, some of animation’s most esteemed personalities have graced the red carpet: Paul Grimault, Norman McLaren, Claire Parker, Alexandre Alexeïeff, Roy Edward Disney, Hayao Miyazaki, Isao Takahata, Tim Burton, Florence Miailhe, Brad Bird, Pete Docter, Dean DeBlois, Genndy Tartakovsky, Henry Selick, Vicky Jenson, Masaaki Yuasa, Anca Damian, Guillermo Del Toro and Michel Ocelot.

As part of the on-site and online hybrid edition, the Annecy Festival 2021 will celebrate its 60th anniversary (1 year late, as the 2020 edition was held entirely online), and a stunning tribute to animation from the African continent.  

The Annecy Festival in figures

The Annecy Festival, Institutional sponsor of the France Pavilion

The Annecy Festival will propose a selection of short films for each thematic fortnight of the France Pavilion, during the 6-months World Expo.

The Mobilier national in a nutshell

Since its creation in the 17th century, the Mobilier national has supported arts and creation, perpetuating and passing on exceptional savoir-faire. This firmly future-oriented institution also promotes contemporary creation and design in France. By associating with the France Pavilion, the Mobilier national stayed true to its tradition of showcasing the decorative arts at international events. This collaboration will spotlight the intangible heritage of French design, this "French touch" that the whole world envies.

The Mobilier national, Institutional sponsor of the France Pavilion

The World exposition's theme will be "Connecting Minds, Creating the Future" and it aims to be a launch pad for new visions of the world and the future, revolving around innovation, knowledge sharing and sustainable development. In this context, the France Pavilion will be an unforgettable showcase for the French excellency and savoir-faire, but also for the promotion of French talents, ideas, and assets during the six months of Expo.  

In order to pay tribute to the French savoir-faire in tapestry, a major piece of art from the Mobilier national's collection will be exhibited in one of the Pavilion's salon named "Salon des Gobelins" for the occasion. The artwork is "AMAZONIE", a tapestry woven in the national manufactures in 1958 and inspired by the work of French artist Jean LURCAT.   

So as to furnish the prestigious event venues that are the Belvédère's salons, the Hémicycle collection, that renews the Second French empire idea of "confident" and "vis-à-vis" seats, was chosen. This line was designed by Philippe NIGRO, prototyped by the Atelier de Recherche et de Création (ARC) of the Mobilier national, and edited by the French house Ligne Roset. This emblematic project does not only illustrate the traditional mission of the Mobilier national to be represented in French high places, but also its will be a sponsor of edition serving contemporary creation. 

lille3000 in a nutshell

Created in 2006, lille3000 carries on and deepens the dynamism of Lille 2004 European Capital of Culture. As a gateway to the future, lille3000 offers an exploration tomorrow's wealth and complexities by interrogating each of its development paths. lille3000 is neither a festival or a biennale, but an invitation to discover cultures from all across the world through events and great thematic editions (exhibitions, parades, celebrations) that have a regional, national, and international impact. Its strong local anchorage and its close relationship with the associative and cultural landscape fosters the encounters between publics from a given territory and world-famous artists.

Another recurring theme addressed by lille3000 is the various visions of the future. At the core of this thematic is the itinerant exhibition Futurotextile, that was showcased in Lille and in numerous other cities as well as at the Shanghai and Milan World expositions. Its 5th edition, Textidream, will be showcased at the France Pavilion.of the next World exposition.         

lille3000, Institutional sponsor of the France Pavilion

Textidream, Futurotextiles 5 will be showcased in 7 pods, designed as moving tableaus. They will be staged by Georgi Sanishev. Each of the pods (Mobility, Fragrances, Lux, Bioman, Coral, Aeolus, and Lux) will showcase the last French excellency textile innovations designed by businesses and actors of the Région Hauts-de-France and of the Lille European Metropolis. Luminous lace, hangings and ribbons in optical fiber, microencapsulated, fragrant organza, compressed air vehicle and linen body, motorized exoskeleton and custom prosthetics in basalt composite and bio-sourced resin, and a dress made of vibrating feathers are part of the pods' content.

The entirety of the Textidream, Futurotextiles 5 exhibition, production included, incorporates the sustainable development goals established by the UN, which is the declared ambition of the France Pavilion. The resarch and development needed to design these unique pieces and prototypes is illustrated by the themes of mobility, light, health, new energies, and bio-sourced materials. 37 companies and creators, essentially from the Lille metropolis and the Région Hauts-de-France contribute to these projects. The pods will be showcased on the France Pavilion's Esplanade: a wooded and shaded 2,000 m² area designed for relaxation and to welcome the guests. They will transform this plaza in a place of unique experience before the visitors can visit the Pavilion. A virtual visit of Textidream will be available worldwide as soon as the World exposition starts.

The Explorers in a nutshell

The Explorers draws up, in images, an inventory of the Earth's natural, cultural, and human heritage to bring together and raise awareness of its richness and fragility. In addition, The Explorers has set up a digital platform accessible to all, in 17 languages, through an application available on smartphones, smart TV, tablets and computers.

The Explorers received the award for the best TV application in the world from Apple.

The Explorers has a partnership with UNESCO to enrich this inventory with content from international scientists.

The Explorers, Institutionnal sponsor of the France Pavilion

Broadcasted on huge screens in the Introduction area of the France Pavilion, The Explorers will draw up an inventory of the Earth's natural, cultural and human heritage to bring together and raise awareness of its richness and fragility. This content was produced in partnership with the regions of France, Atout France and UNESCO.

France Médias Monde in a nutshell

France Médias Monde, the group in charge of French international broadcasting, comprises the news channels France 24 (in French, English, Arabic and Spanish), the international radio station RFI (in French and 16 other languages) and the Arabic-language radio station Monte Carlo Doualiya. From Paris, France Médias Monde broadcasts to the world in 18 languages.  Its journalists and correspondents offer viewers, listeners and Internet users comprehensive coverage of world events, with a focus on cultural diversity and contrasting viewpoints via news bulletins, reports, magazines and debates. Every week, RFI, France 24 and Monte Carlo Doualiya attract around 235 million viewers and listeners and gather more than 80 million followers on social media.

France Médias Monde at Dubai World Expo

France 24, Monte Carlo Doualiya and Radio France Internationale will report live from the World Expo and the France Pavilion with shows and reports in English, French, Arabic and Spanish.

France Télévisions in a nutshell

France Télévisions is the leading audiovisual media in France with an average audience reach of 28,8% in 2020. The public service group offers the following services:

• 1 global on-line platform: france.tv and several specific digital brands for News, Youth, Sports, Culture, Learning, Overseas
• 4 linear TV channels: France 2, France 3, France 4 & France 5
• 1 global media brand on air and on-line: franceinfo
• 2 local networks: 13 regional channels (France 3) and 9 global media brands overseas (radio/tv/on-line)

France Télévisions holds a strong position in France as: an average of 9 out of 10 persons are watching our contents each month on any screen.

France Télévisions in figures

JCDecaux in a nutshell

JCDecaux is the largest outdoor advertising company in the world and is present today in over 80 countries playing a major role in transforming the urban universe.  In the era of smart cities, JCDecaux is in the position to become one of the major players by offering innovative solutions for more sustainable, welcoming and comfortable cities.

JCDecaux in figures

JCDecaux, Media Sponsor of the France Pavilion

Providing support to France during this event, JCDecaux will ensure a presence in Dubai during the main stages of the France Pavilion between now and the opening of Dubai 2020 World Expo, as well as during key moments for the six months of the World Expo.

Le Petit Journal in a nutshell

Lepetitjournal.com, created by Hervé Heyraud, is the reference media for French people abroad and French speakers. Its mission is to provide news and practical information through a network of 70 editions worldwide. Completely free and independent, Lepetitjournal.com offers a rich and varied content, relaying the activities of all institutions, companies and associations that carry out projects for the French and French-speaking people, thanks to its international editorial staff and its locally based journalist partners.

Le Petit Journal in figures

Le Petit Journal, Media sponsor of the France Pavilion

The Dubai edition, directed by Hélène Burrus Parisi, aims to facilitate the adaptation of French expatriates. It provides daily information, tips, decrypts, portraits, good addresses, etc.

Le Petit Journal de Dubaï in figures

Le Petit Journal de Dubaï is delighted with this partnership agreement at the occasion of the Dubai World Expo around the theme "Connecting minds, Creating the future". Le Petit Journal editions are working to connect French people around the world and the Dubai edition will communicate around the France Pavilion during the six months-Expo.

MEDIATRANSPORTS in a nutshell

MEDIATRANSPORTS is the leading French advertising network for public transportation communication. It includes METROBUS, which operates the RATP’s advertising spaces and over fifty public transportation networks in France, and MEDIAGARES, which markets advertising spaces in SNCF train stations and on SNCF RESEAU platforms. 

MEDIATRANSPORTS in figures

MEDIATRANSPORTS, Media sponsor of the France Pavilion

As a Media Partner, MEDIATRANSPORTS will increase France Pavilion’s renown through advertising campaigns in Paris metro and French train stations (SNCF).

Radio France in a nutshell

Radio France is currently a major cultural organization acknowledged for the quality of its programmes, the reputation of its musical formations, its involvement in many artistic events and its active support for artists. With its 7 national and its 44 regional stations, 4 permanent musical formations and a unique location, the Maison de la radio, Radio France is the first French radio group with more than 15 million listeners every day and has a unique tool for producing and broadcasting music, culture and creation for all audiences.

Radio France in figures

TV5MONDE in a nutshell

Being the public service of francophone audiovisual public services, TV5MONDE consists in 8 generalist and cultural TV channels plus two thematic - children's and lifestyle - channels. Their missions are to promote French creation and the French language, but also to offer multilateral, international, reliable, and verified information across the world. Being financed by France, Switzerland, Canada, Quebec, and the Wallonia-Brussels Federation, TV5MONDE is by nature in synergy with its partner TV channels as it allows their programmes to be broadcasted wordwide. However, TV5MONDE also broadcasts its own original productions and other material acquired in the French-speaking world.

TV5MONDE in figures

Bel in a nutshell

Bel is a major player in the healthy fruit and dairy single-serving portion snacking. Its international development draws on a portfolio of positive brands, which attract consumers in more than 120 countries: La Vache qui Rit, Kiri, Babybel, Boursin, Leerdammer et GogoSqueeze.

Founded in 1865, Bel is a family group with an ambitious and sustainable growth strategy.

Bel in figures

The Chalhoub Group in a nutshell

The Chalhoub Group is the leading partner for luxury across the Middle East since 1955. 

With a growing workforce of more than 12,000 people, in 14 countries, as well as operating over 700 retail stores, the Group's success is attributed to its most valued asset: highly skilled and dedicated teams. Professionalism and passion are what fuel the Chalhoub Group's competitive edge in today's market.

By being committed to implementing further sustainable practices into their business, the Chalhoub Group is a member of the United Nations Global Compact Community, signatory of the Women's Empowerment Principles and was awarded its seventh CSR Label from the Dubai Chamber of Commerce.  

The Chalhoub Group in figures

The Chalhoub Group, Thematic sponsor of the France Pavilion

As an expert in retail, distribution and marketing services based in Dubai, the Group has become a major player in the beauty, fashion and gift sectors regionally.

By blending its Middle East expertise and intimate knowledge of luxury, the Chalhoub Group is building brands in the region, by offering service excellence to all its partners and a unique experience to its customers. The Group is moving fast from a traditional distributor and retailer for luxury in the Middle East to a hybrid retailer bringing luxury experiences to the fingertips of customers everywhere.  

From 5 November to 6 December, the Chalhoub Group will hold a temporary exhibition dedicated to the French art de vivre

This immersive temporary exhibition showcases French Art de Vivre, with a focus on dining accessories and tableware. The exhibition will combine enhancement of prestigious creations with spectacular scenography, taking visitors through the process of French creation and savoir-faire, and into the French tradition of tableware, as well as presenting a vision of future savoir-vivre in France.

The three legendary houses of Baccarat, Bernardaud and Christofle will be the main contributors to this temporary exhibition.

Under the leadership of Rodolphe Saadé, the CMA CGM Group is today a world leader in transport and logistics, proposing innovative, digitalized and environmentally-friendly solutions. Thanks to its historic core business, maritime transport, its subsidiary CEVA Logistics, and its airfreight division, the Group provides its customers with end-to-end solutions via its maritime, air freight, overland and logistics solutions.

A Pioneer in the use of alternative fuels and of disruptive technological choices, the Group is committed to energy transition and to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.

As a family Group, CMA CGM is also committed to taking up the major challenges of the world, whether social, societal or environmental. Through its foundation, the group particularly supports educational innovation, stands by thousands of children around the world each year, and puts its expertise at the service of major humanitarian crises.

IGIENAIR in a nutshell

As an expert international group in the field of indoor air quality, IGIENAIR enables its clients to create healthier interior environments. In 2017, IGIENAIR invested in its Research & Innovation affiliate ZAACK, whose smart sensors have the ability to constantly monitor air quality. Predictive maintenance is essential for building management, and air quality is one of the key aspects to be taken into consideration in terms of occupant health.

IGIENAIR in figures

IGIENAIR, Thematic sponsor of the France Pavilion

At the France Pavilion in Dubai, IGIENAIR will be presenting ZAACK’s smart solutions for continuous monitoring of indoor air quality. ZAACK’s sensors are designed to function as part of the predictive maintenance approach to building air quality.

Les Compagnons du Miel in a nutshell

Les Compagnons du Miel represents 129 beekeepers in France carrying the ‘Agri-éthique’ (Ethical Agriculture) certification, and is a French fair-trade business. With members spread across the whole of France, Les Compagnons du Miel produces honeys that reflect the unique attributes of their local environments, allowing consumers to explore the many varieties of honey available, while also helping new generations understand the importance of beekeeping. 

Ever since its creation in 1958, the cooperative has maintained a firm commitment to creating a stable and dynamic beekeeping sector in France: 

• Guaranteed quality and traceability: all our honeys are subject to lab analysis in order to guarantee their origin, quality and authenticity
• Preserving biodiversity: a pollination network of 56,600 hives to help protect biodiversity
• Sensible and sustainable beekeeping: an ethical and progressive approach in which every member of Les Compagnons du Miel is actively engaged, solidified through its cooperative Charter.
• Safeguarding bee populations: beekeeping practices, bee health and well-being (‘well-beeing’, if you will), raising awareness among younger generations: Les Compagnons du Miel works every day to protect our bees, both today and in the future.
• Complete transparency: honey without the middleman, straight from producer to consumer
• Fair prices for producers and consumers: the first honey produced by French fair-trade farmers to carry the ‘Agri-ethique’ (Ethical Agriculture) label, using a business model unlike any other in France’s beekeeping sector.

Les Compagnons du Miel in figures

Les Compagnons du Miel, thematic sponsor of the France Pavilion

The France Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai is delighted to announce that Les Compagnons du Miel beekeepers’ cooperative has joined the Pavilion as a Thematic Sponsor. In Dubai, Les Compagnons du Miel will showcase the beekeeping sector’s vital importance for regional biodiversity, working via a cooperative model unlike any other in France.

Ragni in a nutshell

Specializing in the design and manufacture of public lighting solutions, the Ragni family-owned company is a flagship of French industry. For 4 generations, the values of creativity, passion and proximity that are the soul of the company have driven it forward to ever-new horizons. The small family business has become a group composed of the parent company Ragni, two foreign subsidiaries, Ragni Lighting in the United States and Ragni IC in Bosnia and Herzegovina, dedicated to their market, and Novéa Energies, based in France, specialized in autonomous solar lighting. Ragni, a company dedicated to French production and certified Living Heritage Company, combines traditional savoir-faire with cutting-edge technologies. The advent of Smart Lighting has also reinvented the world of lighting and changed the primary functions of the luminaire. This revolution of uses and perception is accompanied by a real awareness of the challenges of our time, which revolve around industrial, digital, and environmental transitions. CSR has always been an essential raison d'être for the company.

To embed its commitments at the heart of its corporate strategy, the Ragni Group joined the United Nations Global pact in 2018 and opened a dialogue and Sustainable Development Service in March 2020. Its activities include the development of eco-design research, the creation of a responsible purchasing charter with suppliers, the establishment of a resource management system, the launch of an equality and diversity project and the fight against corruption, the involvement of its external stakeholders such as schools, associations, organizations, etc. as well as the preservation of nocturnal biodiversity through the reduction of light pollution.

Ragni in figures

Ragni Group, Thematic sponsor of the France Pavillon

At the French Pavilion in Dubai, the Ragni Group will address the climate issue through the prism of public lighting. These innovative solutions transform the urban landscape, reveal new uses and are part of an approach to preserve nocturnal biodiversity. Between smart functionalities and mindful lighting, visitors will be led to take a new look at this outdoor object that accompanies their daily lives.

Sanofi in a nutshell

Sanofi is dedicated to supporting people through their health challenges. We are a global biopharmaceutical company focused on human health. We prevent illness with vaccines, provide innovative treatments to fight pain and ease suffering. We stand by the few who suffer from rare diseases and the millions with long-term chronic conditions. With more than 100,000 people in 100 countries, Sanofi is transforming scientific innovation into healthcare solutions around the globe.

Sanofi in figures

Sanofi, Thematic sponsor of the France Pavilion

Sanofi will drive the activities under the “Supporting Research and Innovation for Health” theme to be held from 21 January 2022 to 3 February 2022, and will unveil connected health solutions to improve the patients’ lives during the fortnight dedicated to Health.