Three candidatures for World Expo 2030 will be considered for election in November 2023: the Republic of Korea (for Busan), Italy (for Rome) and Saudi Arabia (for Riyadh).

On 20 June, during the 172nd General Assembly of the BIE, Member States were presented with the findings of Enquiry Missions carried out by the BIE to assess the candidature projects for World Expo 2030. Following this, Member States voted to retain the three projects that were considered by the Executive Committee of the BIE to be viable and in line with BIE regulations

In November 2023, during the 173rd General Assembly of the BIE, Members States will elect the host country of World Expo 2030 via secret ballot on the principle of one country, one vote.

Enquiry Missions for World Expo 2030 took place in March and April 2023. During each Enquiry Mission, BIE representatives looked into all aspects of the Expo projects. Using the candidature dossiers submitted to the BIE on 7 September 2022 as a guide, each Enquiry Mission assessed the motivations behind the Expo candidature, the attractiveness of the proposed Expo theme, the proposed site and its planned re-use after the Expo, levels of local and national support for the project, expected participation, and the financial feasibility plan.

The Republic of Korea’s candidature is for a World Expo in the city of Busan between 1 May and 31 October 2030 under the theme “Transforming Our World, Navigating Toward a Better Future”. Italy’s candidature is for a World Expo in the city of Rome between 1 May and 31 October 2030 under the theme “People and Territories: Regeneration, Inclusion and Innovation”.Saudi Arabia’s candidature is for a World Expo in the city of Riyadh between 1 October 2030 and 31 March 2031 under the theme “The Era of Change: Together for a Foresighted Tomorrow”.

World Expos, officially known as International Registered Exhibitions, are global gatherings of nations addressing universal challenges of our time. These unparalleled global events offer a journey inside a chosen theme through engaging and immersive activities. Taking place every five years and lasting up to six months, World Expos welcome tens of millions of visitors, allow countries to build extraordinary pavilions, and transform the host city for years to come.

The most recent World Expo, Expo 2020 Dubai, took place under the theme “Connecting Minds, Creating the Future”, and received over 24 million visits. The next World Expo will take place in Osaka, Kansai, Japan, between 13 April and 13 October 2025, under the theme “Designing Future Society for Our Lives”.