Sharing Expo Best Practices at the BIE Capacity Building Programme in Tunis
Insights and best practices from recent Expos are at the centre of a multilateral session of the BIE’s Capacity Building Programme being held this week in Tunisia.
Organised in partnership with the Government of Tunisia, the Ministry of Trade and Export Development and the Export Promotion Center (CEPEX), the two-day training session focuses on the role of Expos as tools for public diplomacy, economic development, and shaping future perspectives.
Rooted in a spirit of regional cooperation and knowledge-sharing around International Expos, this session builds on the first session held in Libreville, Gabon, as well as insights derived from recent Expos. It brings together over 50 government officials and Expo Commissioners from 11 countries: Algeria, Angola, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Guinea, São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal, Togo and Tunisia.
The programme opened with welcome addresses from the Minister of Trade and Export Development of Tunisia, H.E. Samir Abid, the Secretary General of the BIE, Dimitri S, Kerkentzes, and Mourad Ben Hassine, CEO of CEPEX.
In his opening remarks, BIE Secretary General Dimitri S. Kerkentzes stated: “At the crossroads of recent lessons – particularly those from Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai – and future perspectives, this session is part of a continuity. For over 175 years, Expos have united nations around a common goal: fostering dialogue, encouraging mutual understanding, and contributing to addressing the major challenges of our time.”
The two-day programme covers all aspects of participating in and organising Expos, including operational and technical matters, theme development, visitor experience design, and communication. In addition to BIE-led workshops, representatives from Specialised Expo 2027 Belgrade and World Expo 2030 Riyadh are leading dedicated sessions providing detailed insights into the technical aspects and specific opportunities of these events. France is also contributing to the programme through a workshop exploring the role of the Francophone world within the context of Expos.
The Capacity Building Programme is a BIE initiative aimed at supporting its 184 Member States by enhancing their knowledge and expertise in participating in and organising Expos. It contributes to fostering their engagement in these international events and creating the best possible conditions for Expos to serve as platforms for multilateral cooperation, public diplomacy, and education.
The next Specialised Expo, Expo 2027 Belgrade, will take place between 15 May and 15 August 2027 in Belgrade, Serbia, under the theme “Play for Humanity – Sport and Music for All”. The next World Expo, Expo 2030 Riyadh, will be held from 1 October 2030 to 31 March 2031 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, under the theme “Foresight for Tomorrow”.
