The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) announced on April 3 that the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE)’s Enquiry Mission for inspecting the World Expo 2030 host candidate city Busan is visiting South Korea through April 2-7 to evaluate the national capacity and readiness to host the Expo, a mandatory requirement for host candidates.
The Enquiry Mission consists of a total of eight members, including BIE Administration and Budget Committee President Patrick Specht and Secretary General Dimitri S. Kerkentzes. The Mission members will finish the inspection report by May, which will then be circulated to all 171 member countries during the BIE General Assembly at the end of June to be used as basic reference for the final vote for bid winner to host World Expo 2030.
Along with South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Italy and Ukraine are competing as host candidates.
The Enquiry Mission arrived at Incheon International Airport on April 2 and started their official schedule the next day by meeting with the head of relevant ministry, MOTIE Minister Lee Chang-yang. The World Expo 2030 Busan Bid Committee under MOTIE prepared for the Mission inspection with presentations, Q&A sessions, consultations with relevant members of the Korean government, National Assembly and companies, as well as the visit to the local site for hosting the Expo.
Nine-hour long presentations and Q&A sessions led by various industry and academia experts display Korea’s unique competitiveness and varied strengths by fully mobilizing holograms, UAM simulators and other cutting edge technology. The presentations’ main themes were “Political Unity”, “Theme”, “the Site”, and “People & Money” and illustrate Korea’s motivation, introduction of subthemes, Expo site, transportation, lodging and financing plans.
The Enquiry Mission visited Busan’s North Port on April 5 to inspect the Busan Port International Passenger Terminal where renovations were recently finished for the Expo. Located inside the terminal, a promotional video hall showcases a 3D diorama that helps viewers get a clear picture of a virtual World Expo 2030 Busan.
The Expo host winner will be finalized in November during the 173rd General Assembly of the BIE through a vote by the 171 BIE member states.