INPARK WORLD’S FAIR EDITOR JAMES OGUL SHARES INSIGHTS ON UPCOMING EVENTS AND THE LEGACY OF EXPO 2025 OSAKA
by Jim Ogul
Global Expo activity is accelerating with Specialized Expo 2027 Belgrade entering full construction, Expo 2030 Riyadh awarding major infrastructure contracts, Expo 2027 Yokohama refining its nature tech agenda and Minnesota moving to host America’s first A1 International Horticultural Exposition. Meanwhile, Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai — months after closing — has emerged as a surprisingly influential force, exporting both physical and digital legacy assets to the next generation of Expos.
Belgrade 2027: Participation surges
Nearly 140 countries have committed to participate in Expo 2027 Belgrade, with 137 having formally signed participation agreements as of this writing. Expo 2027 Belgrade is planned for May 15–August 15, 2027, on a 25-hectare site in Surčin, with more than 6 million visitors and over 8,000 special events anticipated.
Expo 2027 Belgrade is being framed not merely as an international event, but as a transformational moment for its host nation and a renewed platform for global collaboration. “This Expo is something that is changing our country… I think this will be another game-changer – for investment, travel, and our political position,” said Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, underscoring the scale of Serbia’s ambitions.
From an international perspective, Dimitri S. Kerkentzes, Secretary General of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), has emphasized the Expo’s broader mission, noting that it will serve as a platform for countries to collaborate on future-focused solutions while engaging younger generations. Together, these perspectives position Belgrade 2027 at the intersection of national development and the enduring global purpose of World’s Fairs.
Progress on the Expo site is reflected in the following table.
The United States at Belgrade
The U.S. confirmed participation in Expo 2027 on May 11th. According to U.S. government procurement documents, the United States will build a temporary, single-story pavilion of approximately 972 square meters, designed to accommodate up to 5,000 visitors per day.
The concept centers on a dynamic, nonpolitical visitor experience aligned with the Expo’s theme: Play for Humanity – Sport and Music for All. The pavilion will integrate immersive exhibition spaces, live performance and event areas, VIP and meeting facilities, along with dining and retail components.
The goal is to present American innovation, culture, and values through engaging, high throughput experiences rather than static displays. Total project costs are estimated at $10–14 million, covering design, construction, exhibits, operations support, and eventual dismantling.
Osaka 2025: A living legacy takes shape
Months after closing, Osaka 2025 continues to influence the global Expo ecosystem. Japan marked the first anniversary of the Expo’s opening on April 13 with Expo 2025 Futures, a traveling exhibition across six cities and a permanent display at Yumeshima Station in Osaka (the rail station built for Expo 2025). These programs highlight the Expo’s 29 million visitors and its theme, Designing Future Society for Our Lives.
In a symbolic gesture of continuity, six trees from the Osaka Expo site were transported to Serbia for integration into Expo 2027 Belgrade, reinforcing the growing practice of ecological legacy exchange between Expos.
Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism released a 3D digital twin of the Osaka Expo site as a public archive for researchers and designers. Meanwhile, the Virtual Expo Yumeshima Islands in the Sky project received a Guinness World Records™ certification as the largest VR Expo environment ever created.
Japan’s Future Creation Council continues to coordinate post-Expo collaborations among universities, industry, and local governments, embedding Expo-born technologies into national innovation policy.
Riyadh 2030: Infrastructure contracts and Vision 2030 alignment
The Expo 2030 Riyadh Company (ERC) has awarded its second major site development contract, covering mobility networks, utilities, and foundational infrastructure for the 6-million-square-meter site.
Saudi Arabia maintains its $7.8 billion Expo allocation, while projecting a $50–70 billion economic impact tied to tourism, innovation, and Vision 2030 diversification goals. Pavilion cluster design competitions are underway, emphasizing green mobility, digital transformation, and future city prototypes.
Yokohama 2027: Nature × Technology
Japan’s next major Expo — the International Horticultural Expo 2027 Yokohama — is positioning itself as a global hub for climate responsive design and nature-inspired technology. Organizers confirmed that several Osaka 2025 sustainability exhibits will be repurposed for Yokohama’s Green Innovation Hub, strengthening continuity between the two Japanese Expos.
Minnesota’s aspirational hopes and legacy in the Expo movement
Minnesota played a prominent role in the bidding process for Expo 2027, having submitted a strong U.S. bid to host the event in Bloomington (adjacent to the Mall of America). Their proposed theme, “Healthy People, Healthy Planet: Wellness and Well-Being for All,” aimed to spotlight Minnesota’s strengths in healthcare, sustainability, innovation, and natural beauty. The bid envisioned up to 13–14 million visitors and significant economic impact.
Although Belgrade was selected, Minnesota’s effort strengthened U.S. ties with the BIE and international partners. The state has since pivoted to a new opportunity.
Now Expo 2031 Minnesota USA [a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Corporation] is advancing Expo 2031 Minnesota — planned as America’s first A1 International Horticultural Exposition in Dakota County, scheduled for May–October 2031. The event has secured provisional approval from the AIPH (International Association of Horticultural Producers) and formal U.S. federal approval (from the Departments of Commerce and State).
Wendy Meadley, CEO, Expo 2031 Minnesota USA states: “What excites me most is the breadth of support forming around this project. We are seeing interest from government, business, horticulture, technology, tourism, education, and community partners who all understand that Expo 2031 can become a once-in-a-generation platform for Minnesota and the United States.”
Under the theme “Human/Nature: Where Humanity and Horticulture Meet,” the expo will feature sustainable agriculture, climate-smart innovation, horticulture, and future living districts. It projects over 4 million visitors from up to 80 countries and over $2-billion in regional economic impact. The master plan includes ecological zones, biodomes, global pavilions, and a legacy “Future Living District” designed as a permanent, sustainable community post-event.
This initiative reflects Minnesota’s enduring commitment to hosting world-class expos that promote innovation, sustainability, and long-term legacy development.
A more interconnected Expo era
Across Belgrade, Riyadh, Yokohama and Minnesota, a clear pattern is emerging: Expos are no longer isolated events but interlinked innovation ecosystems. Osaka’s living exhibits, digital archives, and VR environments are now feeding directly into future Expos, while Riyadh’s Vision 2030 alignment signals a shift toward long-term, cross-Expo collaboration.
The result is a new model of the World’s Fair — one where each event contributes enduring assets, knowledge, and ecological value to the next. •
