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On 21 June 2023, during the 172nd General Assembly of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), Member States elected Serbia as host country of the next Specialised Expo.
After four rounds of voting, a majority of Member States voted for Serbia’s project to organise Specialised Expo 2027 in the city of Belgrade under the theme “Play for Humanity: Sport and Music for All”, between 15 May and 15 August 2027.
The government of the country wishing to organise Specialised Expo 2027/28 submits a letter of candidature to the BIE mentioning the proposed theme, the proposed city and dates, the duration of the Expo (a maximum of 3 months) and the legal status of the organisers. The letter must guarantee the full support of the government.
Upon receipt of one candidature, the BIE enacts a six-month countdown during which all other countries wishing to organise Specialised Expo 2027/28 may notify the BIE of their candidature. At the end of this six-month candidature phase, the BIE closes the candidature list.
There must be at least 15 years between any two Expos (World Expos or Specialised Expos) organised in the same country. If the Government submitting the application is not the organiser of the Expo, it must officially recognise the organisers and guarantee the fulfilment of their obligations.
Candidature dossier
After the six-month candidature phase, all candidates enter the project examination phase during which they present a detailed candidature dossier based on defined specifications. These candidature dossiers are used as the basis for the work of BIE Enquiry Missions that are carried out in candidate countries.
Enquiry Mission
Enquiry Missions are organised in each candidate country. They are composed of one of the Vice Presidents of the BIE, one or more Delegates of BIE Member States or experts as well as the BIE Secretary General. These Enquiry Missions assess the feasibility and viability of the Expo project, the political and social climate of the candidate country and city and the support of relevant parties (government, local authorities and citizens) for the project.
The following elements are evaluated:
The results of the Enquiry Missions are compiled in a report that is reviewed by the BIE Executive Committee, which forwards the projects it finds viable to the General Assembly. Member States are asked to approve the projects taken into consideration, which will progress to the final vote.
Project campaign
In order to garner support for their Expo project, candidate countries carry out international campaigns as soon as they have submitted their candidature to host an Expo.
During each General Assembly of the BIE held between the notification of candidature and the final vote, candidate countries present their Expo project to delegates of BIE Member States.
At the end of the project examination phase, BIE Member States, on the principle of one country one vote, will elect the Specialised Expo 2027/28 host country by secret ballot during the 172nd General Assembly of the BIE taking place on 20-21 June 2023. The election will take place on 21 June.
Member States base their decision on the findings of the Enquiry Missions, the appeal of the proposed Expo theme and whether it is relevant for their participation in the Expo, as well as their bilateral relations with the candidate countries.
In the case of more than two candidates, a country must receive a two thirds majority in order to be elected in the first round. If no proposal receives a two thirds majority in the first round, the proposal that receives the least votes is eliminated. This procedure carries on until only two candidates are left. The host country will then be elected by a simple majority.
After a country is elected host country, it continues to work closely with the BIE to formalise the Expo project by submitting a Recognition Dossier that must be approved by the BIE General Assembly.
Location:Minnesota
Dates:15 May - 15 August 2027
Theme:Healthy People, Healthy Planet: Wellness and Well-Being for All
Website:expo2027.us
Facebook:MinnesotsaUSAExpo2027
usaexpo2027
The United States’ candidature is for a Specialised Expo in Minnesota between 15 May and 15 August 2027 under the theme “Healthy People, Healthy Planet: Wellness and Well-Being for All”.
All information is provided by the candidate.
The United States seeks to host Specialised Expo 2027 in Minnesota under the theme "Healthy People, Healthy Planet: Wellness and Well-Being for All". The relevance of this theme Is more compelling than ever before in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The theme aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal No. 3: Ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all. Expo 2027 Minnesota would convene, facilitate and energise conversations about the need to improve health and well-being worldwide.
The medical care and wellness economy accounts for trillions of dollars in spending world-wide each year. This sector makes up a sixth of the world’s economic activity. Minnesota is a global centre of excellence in medicine, wellness and healthcare innovation. About ten Fortune 500 companies operating in the health, nutrition, medical technology, and wellness sectors are based in Minnesota, and there are more than 387,500 workers in the health care sector.
The United States is proposing Minnesota as its destination for Specialised Expo 2027. For more than 150 years, the Upper Midwest Region of the United States has led the nation and planet in health, wellness, innovation and discovery.
The site — located just 10 minutes south of Minneapolis and St. Paul in the city of Bloomington — would offer major advantages for an Expo, including its adjacency to established light rail mass transit, lodging, attractions and its accessibility to the Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP).
The site is also connected to the region by an integrated system of light rail transit, bus rapid transit and local bus routes and the state’s busiest transit and most connected station in Minnesota. The Minneapolis-Saint Paul public transit system forms the backbone for connectivity to airports, rail stations, museums, concert halls, theatres, Mall of America, sports stadiums and other attractions for both local and international visitors.
Minnesota — with a population of 5.5 million with 3.6 million residents living in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area — is consistently ranked as one of the top regions to live: for its safety, parks, theatre, cleanliness, fitness and many other categories. Minnesota has one of the United States’ lowest unemployment rates and highest rates for literacy and graduation.
The state has experience hosting world-class events, welcoming more than 1 million people for the Super Bowl, 91,000 visitors for the NCAA men’s basketball Final Four, 2 million visitors to the two-week Minnesota State Fair and 40 million annual visitors to the Mall of America.
Location:Phuket
Dates:20 March – 17 June 2028
Theme:Future of Life: Living in Harmony, Sharing Prosperity
Website:expo2028thailand.com
expo2028phuket
Thailand’s candidature is for a Specialised Expo in Phuket between 20 March and 17 June 2028 under the theme “Future of Life: Living in Harmony, Sharing Prosperity”.
The world today faces a multitude of increasingly severe and complex issues that adversely impact the lives of the People, the health of the Planet, and the path to Prosperity.
Expo 2028 Phuket would advocate innovative and collaborative solutions towards sustainable and equitable future by 2030 and beyond, under the theme "Future of Life: Living in Harmony, Sharing Prosperity", focusing on People, Planet and Prosperity.
The theme reflects Thailand's vision for a sustainable and equitable future. Expo 2028 Phuket Thailand would like to invite all humankind to join forces for a better tomorrow in exploring and establishing collaborative solutions to crack the code for future through three sub-themes: 1. Life and Well-Being (People), 2. Human and Nature (Planet), and 3. Mutual Prosperity (Prosperity).
Expo 2028 Phuket would stimulate dialogue and tangible solutions for the benefits of global citizens, including a ‘Phuket Declaration’ advocating a ‘Harmony Index’ of life. The Expo would aim to inspire everyone to explore their own innovative ways to a future living of peace and harmony: Planet Care Practice and Nature Care First Mindset.
The legacy of the Expo would have a lasting impact globally, regionally, locally, and to individuals. At the global level, the Expo would serve as a platform uniting countries and people around the world to further the current global agendas, especially sustainability. At the regional level, Thailand serves not only as a gateway to a market with a population of 600 million in ASEAN, but also as a hub of business opportunities. Individuals would be offered unique opportunities for collaboration, dialogue, network-building, and knowledge sharing with others from across the globe.
Phuket, the famed paradise of the Andaman, is exceptional for its scenic nature, vibrant and diverse cultures, and people with a resilient spirit. It is equipped with excellent accessibility, with its bustling airport connecting to over 60 cities globally. As one of the UNESCO Creative Cities of Gastronomy, it offers a unique culinary experience to visitors and locals alike. Phuket strives to be an exemplar of healthy and sustainable living, as seen from its word-class wellness and medical facilities.
Phuket is ready to serve as a beautiful canvas for Expo 2028 and inspire visitors to explore their own perfect future.
Location:Belgrade
Dates:15 May – 15 August 2027
Theme:Play for Humanity - Sport and Music for All
Website:expobelgrade2027.org
Facebook:expobelgrade2027
Serbia’s candidature is for a Specialised Expo in Belgrade between 15 May and 15 August 2027 under the theme “Play for Humanity - Sport and Music for All”.
The proposed theme, "Play for humanity: Sport and Music for All", was designed with the purpose of exploring the ways in which humanity can use the power of play for building resilience of individuals and communities in a world full of insecurities.
Play is perceived as a superpower of the future that enables humans to create, innovate and grow. The proposed theme has been further developed into sub-themes with the purpose of allowing international participants to present themselves in the best possible sense with ideas and solutions that give answer to the defined problem statement:
How to prepare human body, mind, and logic for a technology-led world full of insecurities and make them more resilient for the coming decades?The proposed theme would allow Expo 2027 Belgrade to be the largest celebration of global recovery shaped by the power of play and embellished with music and sport.
The proposed Expo site concept is a part of a more expansive Urban Masterplan Complex, including a new National Stadium with a 52,000-person capacity, the Retail Complex and the future Trade Fair. All three elements are unified with a central urban landscaped promenade.
The Trade Fair and Expo site design concept is based around providing an "Urban Oasis" which would become the key urban destination for tourists, Expo visitors and city dwellers.
A series of permanent Exhibition Halls would be arranged along the central, covered and naturally ventilated Urban Street, culminating in a vast and dramatic circular plaza, housing the main Theme Pavilions and the National Serbian Pavilion – the focal points and architectural icons within the overall complex.
A free-flowing and luscious landscaped public realm would be created for abundance of experiences, aligned with the proposed Expo theme, for thousands of Expo visitors.
At the confluence of the Sava and Danube River, Belgrade is a city which has, for centuries, been a meeting point among different civilisations. With over 7,000 turbulent years of history, one of the oldest settlements in Europe has been awarded “The New capital of COOL” title, referring to the city’s famous vibe. Belgrade is a city that has had 15 different names throughout history, has a very rich cultural and artistic life, and has been home to many great people who have left their mark all over the world.
Belgrade is not just a city - it is a metaphor, a point of view, a way of life.
Location:Malaga
Dates:5 June - 5 September 2027
Theme:The Urban Era: towards the Sustainable City
Website:expo2027.malaga.eu
Facebook:malaga2027
malaga_2027
Spain’s candidature is for a Specialised Expo in Malaga between 5 June and 5 September 2027 under the theme “The Urban Era: towards the Sustainable City”.
In 2050, more than three quarters of the world's population will live in cities according to the United Nations. It is therefore necessary to reflect on one of the main challenges facing society in the medium and long term: how population growth, urban development and the inevitable concentration of people in urban areas can be compatible with protecting the environment and the adoption of innovative solutions.
The proposed theme “The Urban Era: towards the Sustainable City” represents a living platform for the exchange of models of and innovative practices for how future cities should look. It would be a melting pot of best practices and solutions on the subject, offering a unique opportunity for reflection and debate.
The Expo would be built around this theme intimately related to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a United Nations initiative for its 2015-2030 agenda, and would actively contribute to achieving that agenda.
Located in the west of the city of Malaga, the Expo would occupy a 250,000m2 plot. Additional land west and east of the main plot would be allocated respectively for logistics and residents bringing the total land area to be developed to 800,000m2.
This proposed site is located in the city’s productive triangle next to the University of Málaga, the Málaga TechPark, the main business parks, the Málaga international airport and the Málaga Trade Fair and Congress Centre. This location already has a majority of the necessary communications infrastructure: airport, railway lines and the main highway intersection for the metropolitan area.
After the Expo, Malaga would take advantage of the new facilities to continue transforming the city by incorporating new productive and residential areas, as well as using the buildings for education, research and innovation.
Malaga is the sixth most populated city in Spain situated in a privileged location on the Mediterranean Sea, with excellent weather conditions, and is the gateway to the “Costa del Sol” and Andalusia.
Malaga is an economic and technological capital of Andalusia and the south of Spain. Partnerships with institutions and private companies have generated synergies that attract and retain experts and talented people.
Malaga boasts a total of 39 museums and exhibition centres, spanning almost 60,000m2 and hosts numerous events including the Málaga Spanish Film Festival.
Location:San Carlos de Bariloche
Dates:1 February - 30 April 2027
Theme:Nature + Technology = Sustainable Energy. A viable future for humanity
Website:expo2027.ar
Facebook:Expo2027Bariloche
2027Bariloche
Argentina’s candidature is for a Specialised Expo in San Carlos de Bariloche between 1 February and 30 April 2027 under the theme “Nature + Technology = Sustainable Energy. A viable future for humanity”.
Expo 2027 Bariloche would be the ideal time and place to rethink our history, and create a new opportunity… A World that will position men and women at its heart; human energy will take its place in nature, while creating and implementing technologies that will enable true advances in people’s quality of life and well-being.
At Expo 2027 Bariloche, we would propose the necessary and indispensable encounter of two worlds, nature and technology, that come together in a series of concrete actions in favour of sustainable energies, harnessing human energy and creativity, a new beginning that guarantees the quality of life of a growing population, and at the same time care for biodiversity and the environment.
We, as humanity, have produced this present. We are now responsible for inventing a future.
From “The End of the Word”, a new beginning.
Expo 2027 Bariloche would be located on National Route 40, Argentina’s longest tourist route, which runs across the most attractive and important tourist regions of Argentina and runs parallel to the Andes mountain range from south to north.
Expo 2027 Bariloche would be held alongside this route, outlining a new large-scale node of local, regional and national relevance in the middle of the Patagonian steppe, with a dedicated area of 45,000m2 within a district of more than 320 hectares of industrial and business activities, thus making the whole area a landmark accelerator of the development of the City of Bariloche.
The proposed site features direct and nearby routes to the international airport, to INVAP —a prestigious applied research institute—, to the National University of Río Negro, to the City’s downtown area, and to its most relevant geographical and natural sites, the Nahuel Huapi Lake, and the mountains of the Andes.
Located in the heart of the Nahuel Huapi National Park, on the southern shore of the eponymous lake, the city of San Carlos de Bariloche is one of the most scenic cities in the province of Río Negro, as well as one of the most important tourist centres in Argentina, and only 150 kilometres away from Chile.
It is the ideal combination of scenic beauty, service excellence, and boundless fun. Patagonia’s Tourist Capital draws an average of 650,000 tourists every year.
