The Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) has delivered a capacity building training session to the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), dedicated to Expos and planning a successful national participation in these mega-events.

The two-day training programme, held remotely on 29-30 September, was jointly organised by the BIE, Pakistan’s Embassy in Paris, and the TDAP. Dimitri S. Kerkentzes, the Secretary General of the BIE, delivered opened remarks, alongside TDAP Secretary Ahsan Ali Mangi and Pakistan Embassy Chargé d’Affaires, Amjad Aziz Qazi. Pakistan’s delegate to the BIE and the President of the BIE’s Rules Committee, Dr. Moin Ahmad Wani, also participated in the session.

Dimitri S. Kerkentzes, Secretary General of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), addresses participants in the capacity building training session

Almost 100 TDAP officers and managers, based in several cities in Pakistan, participated in the training, which featured seven dedicated sessions delivered by BIE officials. The topics covered by the seven sessions included the process of organising Expos, the benefits of participating in Expos, and the communication and technical aspects of participation.

The capacity building programme is a BIE initiative aimed at supporting its 169 Member States and notably providing countries with additional knowledge and specific technical know-how regarding participation in Expos and the organisation of Expos. The aim of this programme is to support the engagement of Member States in Expos and in the workings of the BIE, therefore fostering the best possible conditions for Expos to serve as attractive and effective platforms for multilateral cooperation, public diplomacy and the education of the public.

Dimitri S. Kerkentzes, Secretary General of the BIE stated:“This training session of the BIE’s capacity building programme has been a success and I would like to thank our partners in Pakistan for their engagement and keen interest in building a strong presence at Expos. We look forward to continuing this capacity building programme so that all Member States can contribute in the best possible way to the success of Expos and maximise the benefits from these important mega-events.”

Pakistan has participated in Expos since Specialised Expo 1951 held in Lille, and has had a presence at most Expos since the 1960s. In 2007, Pakistan joined the BIE in order to strengthen its involvement in Expos.