The two countries that have so far submitted a candidature forWorld Expo 2030– the Russian Federation and the Republic of Korea – presented their respective projects to the 168th General Assembly of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), which took place via videoconference on 29 June 2021.

Russian Federation - Moscow

Having launched the candidature phase on 29 April, Russia was the first to lay out its project to organise a World Expo in Moscow between 27 April and 27 October 2030. The CEO of the Bid Committee Moscow Expo 2030, Alexander Chernov, introduced Delegates to Russia’s Expo vision, which has as its theme “Human Progress: A Shared Vision for a World of Harmony.” This proposed theme is a subject of “universal appeal”, emphasised the Director General of the Bid Committee Alexey Kalachev, who specified that it will allow each country to have an input into the success of the Expo.

　　Alexander Chernov, the CEO of the Moscow Expo 2030 Bid Committee

Speaking on behalf of the Russian Government, the Minister of Industry and Trade, Denis Manturov, indicated that the Expo 2030 candidature is a “national priority”, further adding that Russia has experience in hosting global events, and that Moscow is ready to offer a “hearty reception” to visitors. The General Assembly was told that the candidate city has a steadily growing economy focused on technology and innovation, and is “a city of endless opportunity for study, work and creativity”. The Mayor of Moscow, Sergei Sobyanin, further called on Member States to support the project to organise the first World Expo “in the vast expanses of Europe and Asia that lie east of Vienna and west of Shanghai.”

Republic of Korea - Busan

The Republic of Korea, which submitted its letter of candidature on 23 June, then presented to Member States its project to organise a World Expo in Busan between 1 May and 31 October 2030. Yoo Myung-hee, the Minister for Trade and Head of the Bid Planning Office for World Expo 2030 Busan, addressed Delegates, indicating that “when the Expo meets in 2030 to exchange about science, technology and culture, the Republic of Korea aims to serve as a bridge between member nations, and also as a bridge between today and a better future”. To this end, the proposed theme “Transforming Our World, Navigating Toward a Better Future” has been selected to accompany the transformations required to ensure a “future in which people, technology and nature can go together peacefully and sustainably”, she said.

Yoo Myung-hee, the Minister for Trade of the Republic of Korea, and Head of the Bid Planning Office for World Expo 2030 Busan

The Minister also stated that “open, diverse and inclusive” Busan is harnessing advanced technologies to become an eco-friendly and smart city that can showcase the vision for the chosen Expo theme. Reinforcing this message, the Mayor of Busan Park Heong-joon underlined his “full and complete” support of the World Expo 2030 candidature, which has been under preparation since 2014. He further added that hosting World Expo 2030 would be a “dream come true” for all of Busan’s citizens.