The Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) held its 172nd General Assembly on 20-21 June 2023. Delegates representing the 179 Member States of the BIE attended the meeting, which included progress reports on upcoming Expos, presentations from Candidates for World Expo 2030, and the election of the host country of the next Specialised Expo.

　　The first part of the session featured reports from the meetings of the four committees of the BIE; the Administration and Budget Committee, the Executive Committee, the Rules Committee, and the Information and Communication Committee.

　　The 172nd General Assembly of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE)

　　World Expos

　　Organisers ofWorld Expo 2025 Osaka Kansaipresented Member States with an update on recent progress as well as planned content and exhibits. Following the latest International Planning Meeting, which gathered international participants in Osaka in early June 2023, the Commissioner General of the Expo Ambassador Koji Haneda recalled that 153 countries and five international organisations have announced their participation to date. He thanked the participants and emphasised to Delegates the timeline of preparations for pavilions and the efforts being made by the Government of Japan to create an “exciting and unprecedented Expo”. The Secretary General of the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition, Hiroyuki Ishige, then shared an update of site progress, showing Delegates site images as well as the designs of several international pavilions. He underlined that the Organiser is already making plans for the Expo’s events calendar, and has notably developed a programme, with eight dedicated “thematic weeks” to be organised.

　　The Commissioner General of Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai, Ambassador Koji Haneda, addressing the 172nd General Assembly of the BIE

　　ForWorld Expo 2030, the General Assembly was presented with the findings of the Enquiry Missions that were carried out in March and April 2023 to assess each candidature. Member Statesvoted to retain the candidaturesof the Republic of Korea (for Busan), Italy (for Rome), and Saudi Arabia (for Riyadh), which were considered by the Executive Committee of the BIE to be viable and in line with BIE regulations. Thus, Delegations representing the three candidate countries presented their projects to Member States, ahead of the election of the host country which will take place at the next General Assembly in November 2023. Presentations included addresses to BIE Delegates from the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia, H.H. Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, the President of the Republic of Korea, Yoon Suk Yeol, and the President of the Council of Ministers of Italy, GiorgiaMeloni.

　　The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia, H.H. Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, addressing the 172nd General Assembly of the BIE to promote the candidature to organise World Expo 2030 in Riyadh

　　The President of the Republic of Korea, Yoon Suk Yeol, addressing the 172nd General Assembly of the BIE to promote the candidature to organise World Expo 2030 in Busan

　　The President of the Council of Ministers of Italy, GiorgiaMeloni, addressing the 172nd General Assembly of the BIE to promote the candidature to organise World Expo 2030 in Rome

　　Specialised Expos

　　Regarding the next Specialised Expo, the five candidates hoping to organiseSpecialised Expo 2027/28 (the United States, Thailand, Serbia, Spain and Argentina) gave their final presentation to delegates before Member States voted for the host country. After four rounds of voting,a majority of Member States voted for Serbia’s project to organise Specialised Expo 2027 in the city of Belgradeunder the theme “Play for Humanity: Sport and Music for All”, between 15 May and 15 August 2027.

　　Serbia’s Delegation at the 172nd General Assembly of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), following the election of Serbia as host country of Specialised Expo 2027

　　Horticultural Expos

　　With regard to Horticultural Expos, Member States were informed about the progress ofExpo 2023 Doha, which will open its gates on 2 October 2023 under the theme “Green Desert, Better Environment”. The Secretary General of Expo 2023 Doha, Mohammed Ali Alkhoori stated that the major projects such as the Expo House, the Mascot House and the Green Tunnel are close to completion, and that work on national and international pavilions is at an advanced stage. Delegates were also informed that Expo 2023 Doha is planning for an array of events to be structured around the Expo’s theme and sub-themes, and that communications and outreach initiatives will increase in pace and intensity in the approach to the opening date.

　　The Secretary General of Expo 2023 Doha, Mohammed Ali Alkhoori, addressing the 172nd General Assembly of the BIE

　　Member States were also given an update on the preparations for the following Horticultural Expo,Expo 2027 Yokohama, which was recognised during the 171st General Assembly in November 2022 and which will be held under the theme “Scenery of the Future for Happiness”. Yasuyuki Igarashi, Deputy Director-General at Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism underlined that the Government of Japan has created an inter-ministerial taskforce to prepare for the Expo, adding that it is fully prepared to invite countries from around the world to participate. Hayami Sato, Under-Secretary General of the Expo Organiser then presented Delegates with an overview of the Expo concept, including the ’GREEN x EXPO’ initiative, in which the Expo will aim to conduct projects aiming towards the realisation of the SDGs and a green transformation. He also provided an overview of preparations, showing Member States a video of the Expo Master Plan and introducing the types of exhibition space that will be available.

　　Deputy Director-General of Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Yasuyuki Igarashi, addressing the 172nd General Assembly of the BIE