The Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) held its 178th General Assembly in Paris on 16 June. Delegates representing the 184 Member States of the BIE attended the meeting, which included reports and presentations from upcoming Expos.

　　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. Each committee provided updates on recent work and strategic priorities, contributing to the overall governance and coordination of BIE activities.

　　World Expos

　　During the General Assembly, Member States approved the text of theExpo 2030 RiyadhSee Agreement, a legal framework that will guarantee the privileges and special conditions for official participants in the next World Expo. Once signed and ratified, the agreement will formalise Saudi Arabia’s commitment to creating the necessary conditions to welcoming hundreds of countries and international organisations for the event.

H.E. Adel Al-Jubeir, Commissioner General of Expo 2030 Riyadh and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia,addressing the 178th General Assembly of the BIE

　　Presenting an overview of preparations, H.E. Adel Al-Jubeir, Commissioner General of Expo 2030 Riyadh and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, indicated with satisfaction that 135 countries have confirmed their participation to date. He reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s commitment to working closely with the BIE and with all Member States to deliver an Expo that reflects the highest aspirations of the international community. Describing Saudi Arabia as a crossroads of civilisations, cultures and trade routes, he highlighted Expo 2030 Riyadh as a platform “where innovation serves humanity, where cultures connect through openness and mutual respect, and where collaboration becomes a catalyst for meaningful and lasting impact”. TalalAlMarri, the CEO of the Expo 2030 Riyadh Company (ERC) presented Member States with key milestones in the Expo’s preparations, including the finalisation of the detailed Master Plan and the announcement of the first International Participants Meeting, to be held in Riyadh on 3–4 November 2026. He noted that the 6 million m² site will feature more than 225 pavilions, six signature buildings, and over 61,000 newly planted trees. He further underlined that the Expo’s theme,“Foresight for Tomorrow,” will be explored through five sub-themes: Technology, Planet, Humanity, Culture, and Collaboration, which will translate the theme into a “clear and action-oriented framework”.

　　Specialised Expos

　　Member States received an update on preparations forSpecialised Expo 2027 Belgradefrom DusanBorovcanin, Advisor for International Relations and Cooperation with the BIE. Mr. Borovcanin indicated that the total number of confirmed official participants now stands at 139, following a successful International Participants Meeting held in March 2026. The Expo’s Programme and Content team is working closely with international participants to strengthen thematic coherence, with the Theme Weeks also serving as a key planning tool essential to creating a meaningful programme for visitors and participants alike once the Expo opens its gates on 15 May 2027.

Dusan Borovcanin, Expo 2027 Belgrade’s Advisor for International Relations and Cooperation with the BIE, addressing the 178th General Assembly of the BIE

　　The presentation also highlighted progress in the delivery of the Expo with construction work progressing according to schedule as well as ongoing efforts to engage the public, including the launch of volunteer recruitment through the “EXPO Playmakers” initiative, and a series of events marking the one-year-to-go milestone on 15 May. Ticket sales and official merchandising will officially begin on 15 September 2026. Addressing the Expo’s legacy, Mr. Borovcanin underscored the efforts to leverage the intangible heritage generated by the event, stating “we are working to ensure that not only infrastructure, but also knowledge, partnerships and public engagement created through Expo continue to serve Belgrade, Serbia and the wider region long after the closing day”.

　　Horticultural Expos

　　Opening in less than 300 days,Horticultural Expo 2027 Yokohamais entering its final stretch of preparations, the General Assembly was told by Organisers. Ambassador Jun Shimmi, the Commissioner of Expo 2027 Yokohama, reaffirmed the Expo’s ambition to go beyond horticulture and address pressing global challenges such as food security, climate change and biodiversity loss, through a focus on carbon-neutral, environmentally-friendly and circular economy solutions. With advance ticket sales now underway and Prime Minister SanaeTakaichi having been appointed Honorary President of the GREEN x EXPO last month, anticipation continues to build.

Ambassador Jun Shimmi, Commissioner of Expo 2027 Yokohama, addressing the BIE

　　The Executive Director of the Expo Organiser’s International Department, Taijiro Kimura, presented the master venue and construction of the Expo site and indicated that several of the Expo’s exhibits and facilities are reusing materials from Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai in a demonstration of circularity. Internationally, 70 countries and five international organisations have thus far confirmed their participation. In addition to regular dedicated sessions, a key step in preparations will take place at the International Participants Meeting taking place in Yokohama on 30 June and 1 July this year.

From BIE