BUSAN, South Korea – A delegation from the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) arrived in South Korea on April 2nd to assess Busan’s potential to host the 2030 World Expo. The delegation will inspect the proposed exhibition site at Busan North Port and engage in discussions with key government, corporate, and National Assembly stakeholders.
The eight-member delegation includes BIE Administration and Budget Committee President Patrick Specht from Germany, BIE Secretary-General Dimitri S. Kerkentzes, and representatives from Saint Kitts and Nevis, Switzerland, and Romania, along with three BIE Secretariat staff members.
The BIE delegation will evaluate South Korea’s readiness and ability to host the prestigious event. A site inspection report will be compiled by next month, serving as a basis for the 2030 World Expo host nation vote at the BIE General Assembly in June, involving 171 member countries.
South Korea faces competition from Saudi Arabia, Italy, and Ukraine in their bid to host the 2030 World Expo.
The official site inspection begins with a meeting between the BIE delegation and Lee Chang-yang, the Minister of Trade, Industry, and Energy, responsible for the World Expo. The visit will include four official presentations outlining the plans for the event, question-and-answer sessions, and meetings with prominent figures such as the Prime Minister, government officials, and corporate representatives.
Key topics to be addressed during the presentations and Q&A sessions include political unity, the expo’s theme, site, and financial considerations. South Korea will showcase cutting-edge technologies like holograms and urban air mobility simulators to highlight its competitive edge.
High-ranking officials, including the Prime Minister, will meet with the BIE delegation to discuss South Korea’s commitment and capability to host the expo. The agenda also features visits to the proposed exhibition site at Busan’s North Port and various cultural events.
A series of banquets with representatives from diverse sectors will be held to showcase South Korea’s charm and hospitality.
Busan has arranged numerous cultural and experiential events for the BIE delegation, such as visits to the Busan Eulsukdo Ecological Park, Busan UN Memorial Park, and a fireworks display at Gwangalli Beach.
In anticipation of the BIE delegation’s visit, various government agencies, including the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy, Busan Metropolitan City, the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, have actively participated in event planning and support.
South Korea and the city of Busan have spent the past six months preparing meticulously, aiming to effectively demonstrate their enthusiasm and capacity to host the World Expo to the BIE delegation.
