Argentina submitted today a letter of candidature to the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) to organise a Specialised Expo in San Carlos de Bariloche in 2027.

　　The letter from the Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Worship, Santiago Andrés Cafiero, was handed to the Secretary General of the BIE, Dimitri S. Kerkentzes, by the Ambassador of Argentina to France and Monaco, H.E. Leonardo Daniel Costantino.

　　The Secretary General of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), Dimitri S. Kerkentzes (left), with the Ambassador of Argentina to France and Monaco, H.E. Leonardo Daniel Costantino (right）

　　Argentina’s candidature is based on the theme "Nature + Technology = sustainable energy. A viable future for humanity", and if successful, the Expo would take place in San Carlos de Bariloche between 1 February and 30 April 2027.

　　The six-month candidature phase for Specialised Expo 2027/28 was launched on 29 July 2021 when the United States notified the BIE of its candidature for Minnesota. This was followed by Thailand’s candidature for Phuket on 11 January 2022, Serbia’s candidature for Belgrade on 25 January 2022, and Spain’s candidature for Malaga on 26 January 2022. The BIE will close the candidate list tomorrow, 28 January 2022 at 5pm CET.

　　Once the list is closed, the project examination phase of the candidature process will be launched, during which each candidate will submit a detailed candidature dossier. The BIE will then organise Enquiry Missions and assess the feasibility and viability of each candidature project. The host country of Specialised Expo 2027/28 will then be elected by BIE Member States gathered in a General Assembly, on the principle of one country, one vote.

　　The Secretary General of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), Dimitri S. Kerkentzes (left), receives Argentina’s letter of candidature for Specialised Expo 2027

　　The Secretary General of the BIE, Dimitri S. Kerkentzes declared:"The BIE is pleased to receive this letter of candidature from Argentina, the fifth country to apply to organise Specialised Expo 2027/28. The demonstration of interest in organising Specialised Expo 2027/28 underlines the role of these events in bringing about positive transformation for people and the planet."

　　Argentina has been an active participant in Expos since the 19th century, with its first participation dating from Expo 1855 in Paris. The country, which joined the BIE in 1982, is currently participating in Expo 2020 Dubai with a pavilion themed "Argentina, a world of opportunities".

　　Expos are global events that explore a chosen theme through engaging and immersive discoveries. Among the different categories of Expos, Specialised Expos are designed to respond to a precise challenge facing humanity and may take place in the interval between two World Expos. Specialised Expos are limited in terms of duration - lasting up to three months - and space - with the exhibition area not exceeding 25 hectares. The site is entirely built by the Organiser, Participants being provided with pavilion space.

　　The most recent Specialised Expo, Expo 2017 Astana, took place in the capital of Kazakhstan, Nur-Sultan, under the theme "Future Energy", and welcomed almost 4 million visitors.