The Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) held the 169th session of its General Assembly on December 14, 2021, via video conference. Delegates representing the 170 Member States of the BIE attended the online meeting, which included updates on the Specialized Expo 2027/28.
Specialized Expo 2027/28
Regarding Specialized Expo 2027/28, Spain’s Delegate to the BIE informed the General Assembly that his government intends to submit a letter of candidature to the BIE to organize a Specialized Expo in Malaga in 2027 with the theme “The Urban Era: Towards the Sustainable City.”
The United States — the only candidate so far for Specialized Expo 2027/28, with the candidate list to close on January 28, 2022 — presented its project to organize Specialized Expo 2027 in Minnesota. The presentation included a video address from Secretary of State, Antony Binken, as well as from the Governor of Minnesota, Tim Walz, Lieutenant Govenor Peggy Flanagan, and the Mayor of Bloomington, Tim Busse. The proposed theme of the Expo, “Healthy People, Healthy Planet: Wellness and Well-Being for All” was developed further by John Stannoch, President and CEO of the Bid Committee, and by Dr. Joe Lee, CEO of Hazelden Betty Ford.
Horticultural Expos
For Horticultural Expos, the forthcoming one — Floriade Expo 2022 Amsterdam-Almere — was presented to Member States for the last time before it opens to the public on April 14, 2022. The CEO of the Expo Organizer, Hans Bakker, and the Assistant CEO Yoel Schuller offered a preview of the Expo’s content, including exhibits relating to the “Growing Green Cities” theme as well as its art and culture program. Member States were informed that different COVID-19 scenarios are being planned so that appropriate measures can be put into action based on the evolving health situation. Looking towards the post-Expo period, Hans Bakker further highlighted the hard and soft legacy of Floriade Expo 2022, including Flevo campus on the site and green infrastructures, as well the lasting educational impact of the theme-related exhibits on visitors.
Member States were also informed about the progress of the following Horticultural Expo — Expo 2023 Doha Qatar. Sheikh Ali bin Jassem Al Thani, Ambassador of Qatar to France, emphasised Qatar’s commitment to the Expo, and extended an invitation to all BIE Member States to participate in Expo 2023 Doha. The Secretary General of the Expo Organizer, Mohammed Ali Al Khoori announced that the major construction projects are on track to be completed by mid-2022, showing a preview of the progress made on the site, including landscaping, the Expo House and key facilities. With regard to the “Green Desert, Better Environment” theme, Al Khoori added that detailed research is being carried out to further develop the thematic program and to support the interpretation of the theme by participants.
International Exhibition of Triennale Milano
With the 23rd International Exhibition of Triennale Milano opening in less than six months, the Organizers presented the General Assembly with an overview of preparations. The President of Triennale Milano, Stefano Boeri and the International Exhibitor Coordinator, Laura Maeran, indicated that countries, museums and design institutes from across the world will contribute to the XXIII Triennale, and that it will feature a specially-commissioned ‘Voices of Africa’ exhibit. The Curator of the thematic exhibit, Ersilia Vaudo, offered a preview of ways in which the “Unknown Unknowns. An Introduction to Mysteries” theme will be interpreted, noting that this exhibit will form the “core of the archipelago” of projects forming the overall International Exhibition.