In the Spotlight

The BIE Enquiry Mission in Russia

The BIE Enquiry Mission visited Russia from March 26 to 29 to check the main elements of Ekaterinburg Expo 2020 Candidature Dossier.

The program of the visit included official and working meetings not only in Ekaterinburg and Moscow but also in Sochi where the Enquiry Mission was received by the President of Russia Mr Vladimir Putin and where some chapter of the dossier were discussed with Russian officials.

The Ekaterinburg agenda was manly dedicated to the regional and city aspects of the Expo 2020 project presented by the Governor of the region Evgeni Kuivashev, his staff and members of Ekaterinburg Expo 2020 Bid Committee.

In Moscow the BIE delegation met the Prime-minister of the Russian Federation Mr Dimitri Medvedev, the Chairman of the Federation Council (the upper chamber of parliament) of the Russian Federation Ms Valentina Matvienko, leaders of parliaments parties, members of Russian Government, which expressed their full support of Ekaterinburg Expo 2020 project.

The meeting of the BIE delegation with the President of the Russian Federation, Mr Vladimir Putin

The BIE Enquiry Mission in Brazil

The BIE Enquiry Mission visited Brazil from March 11 to 14 for studying the São Paulo Expo-2020 project.

The BIE delegation had several meetings with authorities of São Paulo city, the state of São Paulo, Perituba region, representatives of Industry Federation of the State of São Paulo (FIESP), Labor unions (CUT and UGT) and Student union (UNE). All main aspects of São Paulo Expo-2020 dossier were analyzed during the enquiry sessions.

A day trip to Brasilia was dedicated to important political meetings. The President of Brazil Ms Dilma Roussef, the President of the House of Representatives, the President of the Senate and members of government unanimously assured the BIE delegation of official support of Expo-2020 project.

The BIE Enquiry Mission in Dubai

The BIE Enquiry Mission lead by the President of the Executive Committee Mr Steen Christensen visited UAE from February 24 to 28 with the aim of evaluating the Expo-2020 Dubai’s project.

First of all the working program of the BIE delegation included a series of meetings the Enquiry Dossier organized by Dubai Expo Higher Committee. Official and technical visits (Municipality of Dubai, Zayed University, Expo site, Dubai Port and Airport) helped the enquiry mission to understand the feasibility of Dubai Expo 2020 project, its strategy and its possible legacy. Meetings with UAE and Dubai authorities were crucial points of the agenda.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai with the President of the BIE Executive Committee Mr Steen Christensen

The BIE Enquiry Mission in Turkey

The BIE Enquiry Mission visited Turkey from February 10 to 15 to study the Expo 2020 Izmir project.

Several technical sessions dedicated to the main Enquiry Dossier subjects were combined with the visit of the proposed Expo site and meetings with representatives of NGOs, Union Leaders and business community, Presidents of İzmir Universities, Cultural Figures.

The last day of the mission was completely dedicated to high-level political meetings in Ankara. The President of the Republic of Turkey, Mr. Abdullah Gül, the Prime Minister, Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the Minister of Maritime Affairs, Communication and Transportation, Mr. Binali Yildirim, received the members of the BIE Enquiry Mission. The opposition leaders and National Members of the Parliament also met the BIE delegation.

A technical meeting in Izmir

The BIE Enquiry Mission in Thailand

The visit to Thailand by the BIE Enquiry Mission took place from 28 January to 1 February with the aim of evaluating the feasibility of Expo-2020 Ayutthaya’s project.

The program of the BIE delegates’ team lead by the Chairman of the Executive Committee Mr Steen Christensen included meetings with senior government officials, representatives of the opposition party, the business sector, and civil society groups. In order to respond to the delegation’s questions related to 14 issues identified in Thailand’s Preliminary Enquiry Dossier 5 sessions with the experts of Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), responsible for the candidacy of Ayutthaya, were organized. One of the key points of the agenda was the meeting with the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand Ms Yingluck Shinawatra.