KCCI Requests Support for Busan Expo in Paris... 70 BIE Member Country Ambassadors Attend

Promotion Activities to Attract Three European Countries on National Foundation Day
Joint Event with the Embassy of France on National Foundation Day
On the 20th, Finnish Government Ministries and Economic Circles
On the 21st, BIE Member Country Ambassadors in London, UK

The Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry attended the National Day event hosted by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in France on the 18th (local time) at the InterContinental Hotel in Paris, France, to request support for the bid to host the 2030 Busan World Expo. The photo shows Choi Tae-won, Chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, conversing with Silvia Mendoza, Deputy Permanent Representative of Mexico to the UN, during the promotional event for the Busan World Expo bid held in New York, USA, on the 23rd of last month. Photo by Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Seoyoon] The Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) met with ambassadors of member countries of the International Bureau of Expositions (BIE) in Paris, France, to request their support for hosting the 2030 Busan World Expo.

On the 18th (local time), KCCI announced that it met with about 70 BIE member country ambassadors stationed in Paris at the Korean Embassy in France’s national day event held at the InterContinental Hotel in Paris, requesting their support and cooperation for the 2030 Busan World Expo bid.

The event was attended by over 500 key figures from various sectors, including Woo Tae-hee, Executive Vice Chairman of KCCI; Yoo Dae-jong, Ambassador to France; Jang Sung-min, Future Strategy Planning Officer; Shin Jae-hyun, Busan City International Relations Ambassador; BIE member country ambassadors; and businesspeople from both countries.

In his congratulatory speech, Jang Sung-min, Future Strategy Planning Officer of the Presidential Office, said, “Korea and France have developed a comprehensive partnership in the 21st century and will continue to cooperate with France to expand contributions at regional and global levels.” He added, “Furthermore, by hosting the Busan World Expo, we will seek solutions to crises humanity faces such as climate change and the deepening inequality gap in development.”

Ha Beom-jong, CEO of LG, stated, “The world is at a turning point in various fields, and companies are considering diverse ways to coexist with future generations and contribute to society.” He mentioned, “Since World Expos have always showcased the spirit of the times and led the world, we expect the 2030 Busan World Expo to demonstrate the direction companies should pursue.”

Woo Tae-hee, Executive Vice Chairman of KCCI, said, “Through dispatching the Busan Expo support team, we once again emphasized the theme of the Busan Expo, which is eco-friendliness and sustainable growth.” He evaluated, “It was an opportunity to promote the activities of Korean companies striving for a better future for humanity and to broaden the consensus with member countries on the necessity of hosting the Busan Expo.”

KCCI reported that the BIE member country ambassadors attending the event also expressed their expectations for the Busan Expo. The ambassadors said, “We agree with the purpose of the Busan Expo to jointly seek solutions to common challenges facing humanity.” They added, “We highly appreciate Korean companies’ efforts to address global challenges and confirmed the Korean government’s strong will and passion for hosting the Busan Expo.”

The support team plans to meet sequentially with Finnish government ministries and economic circles on the 20th, and with BIE member country ambassadors stationed in London, UK, on the 21st to request support for the Busan Expo bid.

Applicants for the 2030 World Expo will make their third competitive presentations (PT) next month. On-site inspections will be conducted in the first quarter of next year, followed by a fourth PT in June. The final host city for the 2030 World Expo will be decided by vote at the BIE General Assembly in November next year. Busan is competing against Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and Rome, Italy.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.