World Expo 2030

Candidature Phase

Until the closing of the candidate list

At a glance
Candidature Process

The six-month candidature phase for World Expo 2030 was launched on 29 April 2021 when the Russian Federation notified the BIE of its candidature for Moscow. This was followed by the Republic of Korea’s candidature for Busan, submitted to the BIE on 23 June 2021, by Italy's candidature for Rome, submitted to the BIE on 7 October 2021, and by Ukraine's candidature for Odesa, submitted to the BIE on 15 October 2021. The BIE will close the candidate list on 29 October 2021 at 5pm CET.

Once the list is closed, the project examination phase of the candidature process will be launched, during which each candidate will submit a detailed candidature dossier. The BIE will then organise Enquiry Missions and assess the feasibility and viability of each candidature project. The host country of World Expo 2030 will then be elected by BIE Member States gathered in a General Assembly, on the principle of one country, one vote.

1. Candidatures

The government of the country wishing to organise World Expo 2030 submits a letter of candidature to the BIE mentioning the proposed theme, the proposed city and dates, the duration of the Expo and the legal status of the organisers. The letter must guarantee the full support of the government.

Upon receipt of one candidature, the BIE enacts a six-month countdown during which all other countries wishing to organise World Expo 2030 may notify the BIE of their candidature. At the end of this six-month candidature phase, the BIE closes the candidature list.

There must be at least 15 years between any two Expos (World Expos or Specialised Expos) organised in the same country. If the Government submitting the application is not the organiser of the Expo, it must officially recognise the organisers and guarantee the fulfilment of their obligations.

2. Project Examination

Candidature dossier

After the six-month candidature phase, all candidates enter the project examination phase during which they present a detailed candidature dossier based on defined specifications. These candidature dossiers will be used as the basis for the work of BIE Enquiry Missions that will be carried out in candidate countries.

Enquiry Mission

Enquiry Missions are organised in each candidate country. They are composed of one of the Vice Presidents of the BIE, one or more Delegates of BIE Member States or experts, as well as the BIE Secretary General. These Enquiry Missions assess the feasibility and viability of the Expo project, the political and social climate of the candidate country and city and the support of relevant parties (government, local authorities and citizens) for the project.

The following elements are evaluated:

The proposed opening dates of the Expo (maximum 6 months)
The proposed theme of the Expo and the development of the theme
The overall objectives and anticipated results of the Expo
The level of support for the Expo among citizens, special interest groups, political groups and businesses
The legislative, organisation, operational and financial measures taken by relevant authorities, including support for developing countries
The communications strategy to promote the Expo
The location of the proposed Expo site, and the city and region
The planned content of the Expo in terms of pavilions and programming
The development and post-use plans for the Expo site
The expected number of participants and the nature of participation
The number of expected visits and visitor profiles
The planned accommodation facilities for visitors and staff
The feasibility plan including budgeting
The estimated cost of participation

The results of the Enquiry Missions are compiled in a report that is reviewed by the BIE Executive Committee, which forwards the projects it finds viable to the General Assembly. Member States are asked to approve the projects taken into consideration, which will progress to the final vote.

Project campaign

In order to garner support for their Expo project, candidate countries carry out international campaigns as soon as they have submitted their candidature to host an Expo.

During each General Assembly of the BIE held between the notification of candidature and the final vote, candidate countries present their Expo project to delegates of BIE Member States.

3. Election

At the end of the project examination phase, BIE Member States, on the principle of one country one vote, elect the World Expo 2030 host country by secret ballot during the BIE General Assembly.

Member States base their decision on the findings of the Enquiry Missions, the appeal of the proposed Expo theme and whether it is relevant for their participation in the Expo, as well as their bilateral relations with the candidate countries.

Member States are given priority over non-Member States for the organisation of an Expo. If no Member States are candidates, candidatures from non-Member States require a two thirds majority in any round of voting to secure the right to organise the Expo.

In the case of one or two candidates, the right to host an Expo is awarded to the country that obtains a simple majority of votes for or against.

If there are more than two candidates, then a country must receive a two thirds majority in order to be elected in the first round. If no proposal receives a two thirds majority in the first round, the proposal that receives the least votes is eliminated. This procedure carries on until only two candidates are left. The host country will then be elected by a simple majority.

After a country is elected host country, it continues to work closely with the BIE to formalise the Expo project by submitting a Registration Dossier that must be approved by the BIE General Assembly.