The Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) held its 177th General Assembly in Paris on November 25. Delegates representing the 184 Member States of the BIE attended the session, which featured updates on upcoming Expos as well as the closing reports for Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai and the 24th Triennale Milano International Exhibition.
The General Assembly also heard 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. These updates covered recent progress on projects and regulations relating to the BIE and Expos, as well as strategic priorities for the years ahead.
The General Assembly also held elections for the presidency of the BIE and for the members of the four BIE committees.
World Expos
Following the conclusion of Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai on October 13, 2025, the Organizers presented their closing report, reflecting on the collaboration, innovation and lasting impact of the event that welcomed 29 million visitors. Ambassador Koji Haneda, Commissioner-General of the Expo, expressed his gratitude to the BIE and to all participating countries, noting that “the exhibitions and the events were truly captivating and brought profound inspiration and excitement to visitors and stakeholders.”
The Expo’s theme, “Designing Future Society for Our Lives” brought people together from around the world, highlighted the Chairperson of the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition, Masakazu Tokura, who added that he hopes the philosophy of “Unity in Diversity” will be carried forward. The Secretary General of the Expo Association, Hiroyuki Ishige, offered an overview of the Expo’s successes and lessons learned, noting that the mascot Myaku-Myaku “captured people’s hearts” and that surveys recorded high levels of visitor satisfaction, particularly regarding international pavilions and National Day ceremonies. The organizers also underscored the importance of the Expo’s Theme Weeks, Signature Pavilions, Future Society Showcase and reservation system as defining elements of the Expo experience, affirming that the memories and insights will be passed on to guide future Expos.
At the conclusion of Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai, Saudi Arabia received the Expo flag, with the world’s attention turning towards Expo 2030 Riyadh. Following the World Expo’s formal Registration during the 176th General Assembly in June 2025, the CEO of the Expo 2030 Riyadh Company (ERC), Talal AlMarri reported that Saudi Arabia has started inviting countries to participate, with 67 countries having so far confirmed their intention to participate.
AlMarri also provided an overview of the Expo’s theme development, noting that the central theme “Foresight for Tomorrow” is structured around three sub-themes – Transformational Technology, Sustainable Solutions, and Prosperous People – alongside a focus on culture and collaboration. The evolution of the site Master Plan was further presented, introducing Member States to the site plan based on a cellular grid, with participating countries to be featured within the Loop of Nations; and a new landmark, the Expo Icon, positioned at the center of the site.
Specialized Expos
A progress report on Specialized Expo 2027 Belgrade was presented to Member States by Dušan Borovčanin, Advisor for International Relations and Cooperation with the BIE. Emphasizing the Expo’s commitment to creating a sustainable legacy for its host city, Mr. Borovčanin provided updates on the site’s development, highlighting its design for long-term use beyond the event. With 128 countries having already signaled their intention to participate, preparations for international pavilions are progressing steadily, and are set to ramp up on the occasion of the International Participants Meeting scheduled for March 2026.
The General Assembly was informed that under the theme “Play for Humanity,” the next Specialized Expo continues to be promoted as an inclusive platform for global dialogue, bolstered by the support of renowned ambassadors such as Usain Bolt and Jackie Chan. Furthermore, the newly opened Expo Playground space at Belgrade Fair has already welcomed thousands of visitors, and is available to participating countries, reinforcing the Expo’s mission to offer a vibrant and engaging experience for all.
Horticultural Expos
Opening in less than 500 days, Horticultural Expo 2027 Yokohama is poised to build on the momentum generated by Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai across Japan. The Commissioner of the Expo, Ambassador Kazuhiko Koshikawa, underscored the Expo’s ambition to serve as a global platform for showcasing cutting-edge technologies and collective efforts toward a carbon-neutral and nature-positive society. International interest continues to grow with 60 countries and international organizations having so far confirmed their intention to participate, including many African nations that seized the opportunity of the TICAD9 summit in Yokohama to announce their participation.
Preparations for the Expo are accelerating, marked by the launch of construction for the Japanese government’s pavilion on November 2, and the announcement by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi that His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Akishino will serve as Honorary President of the Horticultural Expo. The Deputy Secretary General of the Japan Association for the International Horticultural Expo 2027 Yokohama, Koji Hachiyama, indicated that the Expo is coming into view, with many pavilion designs now being made public – including numerous corporate participants – raising expectations for an inspiring and impactful experience for visitors.
International Exhibition of Triennale Milano
Following the conclusion of the 24th Triennale Milano International Exhibition on November 9, the General Assembly was presented with a closing report on the event dedicated to the theme “Inequalities.” The Director of the Museo del Design Italiano, Marco Sammicheli, explained that the International Exhibition addressed such a complex theme through cross-disciplinary dialogue, supported by academic and scientific partnerships. He highlighted that participating countries brought diverse perspectives to the exploration of the theme, enriched by thematic discussions, educational outreach initiatives and a broad public program.
As a result of these activities as well as the decision to make entrance free to students of all ages, the total number of visitors reached 278,951. International Exhibition Coordinator Laura Maeran noted that the conclusion of the 24th edition was marked by a shared reflection on the values that will shape its legacy – from togetherness and proximity to coexistence and the need for openness. She informed Member States that these reflections are guiding the first steps towards the 25th edition of the International Exhibition, planned for 2028.
BIE
Elections were held to the Presidency of the General Assembly of the BIE, and to determine the composition of each of the BIE’s four Committees, as well as their respective Presidents.
