Yeosu World Islands Expo Making Smooth Progress in Attracting Countries and International Organizations

The 2026 Yeosu World Islands Expo is accelerating its progress toward a successful event, achieving concrete results in attracting overseas countries and international organizations.

The 2026 Yeosu World Islands Expo Organizing Committee (hereinafter the "Organizing Committee") announced on the 9th that, as of now, it has secured the participation of a total of 28 countries and international organizations, including 25 countries such as France, Greece, Japan, the Philippines, Ecuador, Kenya, and Madagascar, as well as 3 international organizations including the WHO and UNICEF, out of its target of 30 participating countries and international organizations.

Outreach to overseas countries for the 15th Korea-Caribbean High-Level Forum last November. Provided by the Yeosu World Islands Expo Organizing Committee.

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The Organizing Committee has been carrying out active outreach to attract participation from foreign governments, international organizations, and foreign diplomatic missions in Korea in order to build international consensus on the themes of islands and oceans.

In particular, through the "Most Beautiful Bays in the World Club," of which Yeosu is the only member city in Korea, the Organizing Committee has been broadening the consensus for participation by emphasizing the Expo's vision and distinctiveness around global agendas such as responding to climate change, promoting sustainable development of islands, and preserving marine ecosystems.

The countries and international organizations that have confirmed their participation this time plan to create a venue for international cooperation during the Expo period by exhibiting and sharing each country's island policies, culture, technology, and cases of sustainable development. Through this, the Islands Expo is expected to go beyond a simple exhibition event and establish itself as a global cooperation platform centered on islands and oceans.

In addition, the Organizing Committee is stepping up phased and systematic preparations to expand the attraction of overseas visitors.

In November last year, the Organizing Committee took part in the World Travel Market in London, United Kingdom, where it discussed cooperation on attracting visitors with the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA). Following promotional activities targeting local travel agencies in Osaka, Japan, in December last year, it plans to further accelerate the attraction of overseas tourists by holding a briefing session for travel agencies and journalists in the Los Angeles area of the United States at the end of this February.

The Organizing Committee plans to finalize the list of participating countries and international organizations by the end of March. At the same time, it will hold consultations with those countries to flesh out exhibition content and to link the World Island Cities Conference and the International Island Forum, thereby further detailing the Expo's operational programs.

According to the Organizing Committee, during the Expo period, five international cruise lines are scheduled to call at Yeosu on ten itineraries. In cooperation with Yeosu Airport and relevant ministries, it is also discussing the operation of international charter flights to and from countries such as China, Vietnam, and Japan.

Kim Jonggi, Secretary General of the Organizing Committee, said, "As we enter the final stage of attracting the target countries and international organizations, expectations for the successful hosting of the Islands Expo are rising," adding, "We will further enhance the completeness of our content during the remaining preparation period to make this a global event that draws the world's attention."

Meanwhile, the 2026 Yeosu World Islands Expo, under the theme "Islands Connecting the Sea and the Future," is scheduled to be held from September 5 to November 4, 2026, at venues including the Jinmo District in Dolsan, Geumo Island, Gae Island, and the Yeosu World Expo site.

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