Belgrade Specilazed Expo 2027 – what has been done so far?

With its promise of showcasing innovative solutions and futuristic technologies, Specialized Expo 2027 is all set to put Belgrade on the global map. But that’s not all – from boosting tourism to stimulating economic growth, there are more reasons as to why this event will bring transformative changes both locally and nationally. So let’s dive into the steps already taken for the Specialized Expo 2027 that is to be held in Belgrade – Serbia!

Over one hundred countries are expected to take part in Specialized Expo 2027. This upcoming professional exhibition will be of enormous political, economic, touristic, and cultural importance for Serbia, but the region as well. That is why Belgrade and Serbia are fully prepared to host it. Specialized Expo 2027 will also be a chance to draw in investors and showcase national economic, tourist, cultural, and sporting potentials.

The Specialized Expo 2027 story thus begins in 2022. Serbia submitted a letter of candidacy in January 2022, with Prime Minister Ana Brnabić’s signature, to serve as the host of the International Specialized Exhibition at Belgrade Expo 2027. The suggested dates for the specialized exhibition, with the theme “Play for Humanity: Sport and Music for All,” are May 15 till August 15, 2027.

Following that, in June 2022, a comprehensive presentation of Serbia’s dossier for organizing the specialized exhibition was conducted in Paris, during the 170th summit of the International Bureau of Exhibitions’ General Assembly. (Bureau International des Expositions, BIE).

The candidate’s ideas for the Specialized EXPO exhibition are outlined in the dossier of candidacy, along with material on the proposed topic, the planned venue, the experience, expected impacts, and visitor estimates.

The Prime Minister of Serbia, Ana Brnabić, the Ministers of Finance, Trade, Tourism, and Telecommunication in the Government of the Republic of Serbia, the President of the Serbian Chamber of Commerce, and the Director of Belgrade’s Urban Planning addressed the General Assembly audience during the presentation, providing support and explanations of the comparative advantages of Serbia and Belgrade, as well as the vision for this event of national importance.

Inquiry missions conducted by Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) representatives as part of the review of Serbia’s application to host a Specialized Expo 2027 in Belgrade in mid-September 2022 have been successfully completed. Members of the Enquiry Mission investigated every facet of the Specialized Expo project that Serbia had submitted and set them out in its candidature dossier, under the direction of Alain Berger, President of the BIE Executive Committee. The delegation included representatives from BIE Member States as well as Dimitri S. Kerkentzes, the BIE’s Secretary General, and was accompanied by BIE staff members.

On this occasion, it was stressed that the Southeast European region had not seen an exhibition of this kind since Plovdiv, Bulgaria hosted one in 1991. As a result, Belgrade has the chance to bring the EXPO back to the region after more than three decades.

Expo 2027 presents a significant chance for Belgrade and Serbia, and in a wider sense the entire region, to demonstrate that we are the hub of the region in terms of politics, culture, sports, and the economy through the “Open Balkan” initiative, which refers to the Balkan region without boundaries and includes Serbia, North Macedonia, and Albania.

Four million visits are expected, resulting in an estimated 2.6 million visitors to Belgrade. The estimated economic impact on Belgrade is estimated to be €1.1 billion, of which €600 million will be direct and €500 million indirect, impacting tourism and other industries.

It was emphasized that Belgrade was the host of the Non-Aligned Summit as well as the Final Four, European Water Polo Championship, and World Boxing Championship.

Alain Berger, the president of the BIE Executive Committee, emphasized that he had productive talks in Belgrade where nothing was controversial or off-limits. Additionally, according to Berger, the delegation’s discussions with the Serbian guests were excellent and fruitful, and BIE Secretary-General Dimitri S. Kerkentzes emphasized the significance of Expo 2027 for the entire Balkan region.

The formal reception for Belgrade’s application to host Specialized Expo 2027 was held in Paris in November 2022. An enjoyable cocktail reception was given by Prime Minister Ana Brnabić and Tamara Vučić, the First Lady of the Republic. Siniša Mali, the deputy prime minister and minister of finance, Branko Ruzic, Maja Gojkovic, the deputy prime minister and minister of culture, and other members of the Serbian delegation were present at the cocktail reception.

Our delegation had the chance to introduce Serbia’s and Belgrade’s candidacy to approximately 185 countries at the 171st General Assembly of the International Bureau of Exhibitions (BIE), demonstrating that Serbia has made significant progress in recent years and is prepared to host one of these manifestations in its capital.

In addition to Belgrade, also Bloomington (Minnesota, USA) with the theme “Healthy People, Healthy Planet: Wellness and Well Being for All,” Phuket (Thailand) with the theme “Future of Life: Living in Harmony, Sharing Prosperity,” Malaga (Spain) with the theme “The Urban Era: Towards the Sustainable City,” and San Carlos de Bariloche (Argentina) submitted bids to host the specialized exhibition.

Therefore, we are crossing our fingers and waiting for June 2023 for the definitive yes for Belgrade Specialized Expo 2027!

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