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| From left, Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) Secretary General Dimitri Kerkentzes, BIE Administration and Budget Committee President Patrick Specht, Busan World Expo Bidding Committee Secretary-General Yoon Sang-jick and Busan Mayor Park Heong-joon pose after a press conference at Signiel Busan in Busan, Thursday. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul |
Delegates especially impressed by enthusiasm shown by citizens
By Jung Min-ho
BUSAN ― Representatives of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) affirmed Busan's readiness to host the World Expo 2030, as they concluded their inquiry mission, Thursday, to evaluate the Korean port city's ability to host the global event.
Speaking at a press conference, delegates of the World Expo organizing body said they were especially impressed by and grateful for the enthusiasm demonstrated by citizens on the streets.
"Busan has everything that it takes to host the World Expo," Patrick Specht, president of the BIE Administration and Budget Committee, said. "In terms of hospitality, Busan is excellent."
During their five-day inspection that started Sunday, the delegates met with President Yoon Suk Yeol, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, ministers, lawmakers, businesspeople and members of civic groups, who showed their shared passion for the world fair.
To Dimitri Kerkentzes, the secretary-general of the BIE, the public's "incredible warmth" was the most memorable part, saying he has "never seen such enthusiasm" in any other country.
However, the delegates declined to comment when asked about the city's viability compared to that of Saudi Arabia's Riyadh, saying that they would evaluate each candidate city according to its own merits only. Supported by China, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Cuba, Belarus and several other countries, the Middle Eastern city has so far been regarded as the strongest contender in the competition over Ukraine's Odesa, Italy's Rome and Busan.
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In recent months, Busan Expo project officials have been stepping up their efforts to win the hearts of developing countries by offering long-term support for those seeking to emulate Korea's economic success. The Busan Initiatives aim to provide training and firsthand know-how rather than, say, financial aid for one-time construction projects.
Kerkentzes praised their efforts, saying the initiatives are in line with the spirit of the World Expo.
"Expos are not just six-month events. It's the whole process leading up to the event, and perhaps even more," Kerkentzes said. "Korea does not see this as a six-month event ... And I think that this is one of the important points that sometimes we forget about Expos."
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| From left, Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) Secretary-General Dimitri Kerkentzes, BIE Administration and Budget Committee President Patrick Specht, Busan World Expo Bidding Committee Secretary General Yoon Sang-jick and Busan Mayor Park Heong-joon smile during a press conference at Signiel Busan, Thursday. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul |
He also said the proposed theme of the Busan Expo ― "Transforming Our World, Navigating Toward a Better Future" ― matches well with what the city aims to achieve through the event as it seeks to work together with all member states to find solutions for many challenges, such as climate change, facing everyone on the planet.
Busan Mayor Park Heong-joon said that he was satisfied with everything he and his team did for the inspection. For the next seven months, they will focus on strengthening relations with member states individually through the Busan Initiatives.
"I think we have shown that Busan is ready for the Expo just as we prepared, as well as why we would need an Expo seven years later and why it has to be Busan," he said.
Following the media conference and a farewell dinner with Expo campaign officials, the BIE delegates watched fireworks displayed over Gwangalli Beach. They leave Korea on Friday.
Before their visit to Busan, the delegates went to Riyadh, which they also said presented a "strong" case to host the 2030 event. A delegation from Ukraine visited BIE in Paris to promote Odesa. The inspection team is scheduled to travel to Rome later this month.
The results of their inspections are going to be compiled in official reports, which the BIE member states will review when deciding which bidder to support. The candidate cities will give their fourth presentations in June and their final ones in November in Paris at the BIE General Assembly, during which the winner will be decided by secret ballot.
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