by Jim Ogul
In the recently issued Congressional Budget Justification Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs, $2 million has been requested for start-up funds for U.S. participation at Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai, a World’s Fair sanctioned by the Bureau International des Exhibitions, (BIE).
This is the first time an appropriation for U.S. participation in a Worlds Fair has been requested since 1990. Over the past 30 years the U.S. has attempted to fund World’s Fair participation through private sector fundraising and this approach has been riddled with problems. Hopefully this first step in a renewed Federal funding for World’s Fair participation will restore the U.S. to the forefront in telling America’s Story to world audiences numbering in the millions.
The full report can be read by clicking here.
As of May 28, 2021, 34 countries and 4 international organizations have confirmed their participation in Expo 2025, Osaka, Kansai, Japan.
Since retiring from the US State Department in 2011 after a 30+ year career in world expos, James Ogul ([email protected]) has remained on the scene in an advisory and consulting role. He writes regularly for InPark Magazine about world’s fairs. See his free online book, Tales From the Expo.
Image courtesy Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition
