Who will host Expo 2030? Final inspection held for Rome’s world's fair bid

Organisers complete mission to Italy after tours of Saudi Arabia, Ukraine and South Korea

A spectacular show to promote Rome's bid to host the 2030 Expo before the BIE, the organising committee of the world's fair, at the Colosseum in the Italian capital. Shutterstock

A spectacular show to promote Rome's bid to host the 2030 Expo before the BIE, the organising committee of the world's fair, at the Colosseum in the Italian capital. Shutterstock

More than 500 drones were used in a show with the Colosseum as a backdrop. Shutterstock

It was final event for the visit of the Bie committee. Shutterstock

Italian officials want Rome to host the world's fair in 2030. Shutterstock

Images of faces are beamed on to the Colosseum. Shutterstock

Dimitri Kerkentzes, secretary general of Bureau International des Expositions, with general director Giuseppe Scognamiglio and ambassador Fabio Cassese. Photo: Expo 2030 Roma

Dimitri Kerkentze, Giampiero Massolo, Giuseppe Scognamiglio and Matteo Salvini. Photo: Expo 2030 Roma

Organisers visit the Tor Vergeta district in Rome along with Italian officials to inspect the proposed site. Photo: Expo 2030 Roma

Dimitri Kerkentzes visits the Tor Vergata. Photo: Expo 2030 Roma

At Tor Vergata, the BIE's secretary general Dimitri Kerkentzes with Italian architect Carlo Ratti and Italian mayor Roberto Gualtieri. Photo: Expo 2030 Roma

A team of Expo organisers have completed an inspection visit to Rome to assess Italy’s bid to stage the 2030 world's fair.

This marks the end of evaluation visits to countries in the running to stage the global gathering.

Missions have already taken place in Saudi Arabia, Ukraine and South Korea.

During a five-day visit, the group from the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), met national and local Italian officials to examine Rome’s theme of People and Territories: Regeneration, Inclusion and Innovation.

I believe what was very impressive is this unique voice we heard, it truly seems this project is coming together under a banner of national unity

Dimitri Kerkentzes,
BIE secretary general

They visited the proposed site in the Tor Vergeta district that would be the heart of the Expo if the country wins the bid.

The area is home to a university, residential neighbourhood and a sports complex designed by renowned Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava.

Unique voice

Dimitri Kerkentzes, secretary general of the BIE, said it was it was a strong project with sustainability at its core.

“We felt that this is not just a candidature of Rome but is truly a candidature of Italy, for Italy and for Italians,” he told the press in Rome.

Mr Kerkentzes said it was interesting to meet not only the government authorities, officials of the city of Rome but to speak to members of civil society, non-government organisations and the private sector.

“I believe what was very impressive is this unique voice that we heard, it truly seems that this project is coming together under a banner of national unity.”

The BIE is the organisation that oversees and regulates world expos.

Italian officials described the visit as “one of the most important moments before the Expo 2030 final vote by 171 countries in November”.

“The enquiry mission to Italy is the last to be carried out as part of the project evaluation phase for World Expo 2030,” Expo 2030 Roma committee said in a statement.

“The findings of the enquiry missions will be discussed by the BIE’s executive committee in May 2023.

“In November 2023, during the 173rd general assembly of the BIE, the host country of World Expo 2030 will be elected via secret ballot by BIE member states on the principle of one country, one vote.”

The Expo organisers’ visit concluded on Saturday night with a spectacular light and music show with 500 drones sweeping over the ancient Colosseum that formed the backdrop for a theatrical display.

BIE officials met Italy’s President Sergio Mattarella, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Roberto Gualtieri, mayor of Rome and spoke to consultants, businessmen and NGOs to gauge the feasibility of the plans submitted.

One of the central concepts of Rome’s bid is a plan for one of the largest urban solar farms, renewal of neighbourhoods and new accessibility solutions, deepening the link between industry and agriculture.

The BIE inspection visits began in Riyadh last month to examine Saudi’s theme The era of change: Together for a foresighted tomorrow, as part of the country’s ambition to create an Expo that would lay down the blueprint for a more equitable future.

Ukraine has forwarded Odesa as the host city with the theme of Renaissance. Technology. Future that envisions new technology to serve, help and educate.

South Korea’s project in Busan centres on people working together to face challenges as part of its focus on Transforming our world, navigating toward a better future.

The BIE mission checks the proposed site, planned re-use after the Expo, the level of local and national support, the financial feasibility plans and expected participation figures.

Expo 2020 Dubai was the most recent world's fair to be held just as the world was re-emerging from the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Expo Dubai drew more than 24 million visits to more than 200 pavilions between October 2021 and March 2022.

The next World Expo will take place in Osaka, Japan in 2025 with the focus on Designing Future Society for Our Lives.

Expo 2020 Dubai - in pictures

The Expo 2020 site under construction in the Dubai South area of Dubai, in July 2017. Christopher Pike / The National

Construction work on the Expo 2020 site at the Al Wasl Plaza in November 2017. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The Expo 2020 site in April 2018. Pawan Singh / The National

The under construction site in Dubai in April 2018. Pawan Singh / The National

A man climbs through scaffolding during the construction of the new fly-over on Sheikh Zayed road near the Al Safa interchange, in May 2018. Antonie Robertson/The National

General image of the site in October 2018. Antonie Robertson/The National

The Expo construction site in October 2018. Photo: Dubai Expo

Progress at the Sustainability pavilion, seen in July 2019. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Visitors at the Invention centre at the Expo 2020 House of Volunteers office, in January 2020. Pawan Singh / The National

Inside view of the Dubai Expo 2020 Sustainability pavilion during a media tour in January 2021. Pawan Singh / The National

The Al Wasl Plaza, the heart of the Expo 2020 site, in January 2020. Pawan Singh / The National

The Italy pavilion in April 2021, being readied ahead of the opening in October. Pawan Singh / The National

The David statue, unveiled at the Italy pavilion in April 2021. Pawan Singh/The National

The opening ceremony of Dubai Expo 2020, on September 30, 2021. AFP

A logo of the Dubai Expo 2020 is projected during the opening ceremony, on September 30, 2021. AFP

Visitors enjoying the fog inside the Switzerland pavilion in October 2021. Pawan Singh / The National

Visitors at the Singapore Pavilion in October 2021. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai

Airshow above the Pakistan pavilion in October 2021. Khushnum Bhandari/ The National

The UAE pavilion in October 2021. Victor Besa/The National

Light show at the Al Wasl Plaza in October 2021. Victor Besa/The National.

View from the Garden in the Sky at Expo 2020, in November 2021. Antonie Robertson / The National

The Water Feature, in November 2021. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai

Closing fireworks at Expo 2020 Dubai, on April 1, 2022. Ruel Pableo/The National

A sign outside the Sustainability gate saying: 'The gates are closed but the memories will remain. Until we meet again.' Chris Whiteoak / The National