The Expo 2027 Belgrade See Agreement has been approved by the 176th General Assembly of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE). This agreement – a legal framework that guarantees the privileges and special conditions for official participants in the next Specialised Expo – is a key step to facilitating participation in Specialised Expo 2027 Belgrade.

Once signed by the BIE and ratified by the Government of Serbia, the See Agreement will guarantee the privileges and special conditions for official participants at Expo 2027 Belgrade, in line with BIE rules. It formalises Serbia’s commitment, as host country, to creating all the necessary conditions to welcome over 100 official participants. The Agreement serves as an essential step towards enabling the signing of individual Participation Contracts with countries and international organisations.

The Secretary General of the BIE indicated: “The See Agreement sets out the conditions that makes it possible for Serbia to host the world and deliver on a truly global event for Serbians and for the world. The adoption of this Agreement marks an important milestone on the journey towards making Specialised Expo 2027 Belgrade a transformational event and an impactful gathering of ideas and innovations.”

Preparations for Specialised Expo 2027 Belgrade are in full swing, with site development underway and over 110 countries having so far confirmed their participation. Last week, representatives of international participants gathered in Belgrade for the first International Planning Meeting ahead of the Expo, kickstarting the procedures for wide and diverse international participation in the next Specialised Expo.

The See Agreement – known as Accord de Siège in French - facilitates international participation in the Expo by serving as a legal framework in line with BIE rules. The first such See Agreement was signed with the Government of Spain ahead of Specialised Expo 2008 Zaragoza.

Expo 2027 Belgrade was formally recognised by the BIE in November 2024, following the election of Serbia as host country by BIE Member States in June 2023 during the Organisation’s 172nd General Assembly.

Organised under the theme “Play for Humanity: Sport and Music for All”, Expo 2027 Belgrade will be the first Specialised Expo to be held in the Western Balkans. The event is set to receive over 4 million visitors and welcome over 120 countries between 15 May and 15 August 2027.

Expos are global events that explore a chosen theme through engaging and immersive discoveries. Among the different categories of Expos, Specialised Expos are designed to respond to a precise challenge facing humanity and may take place in the interval between two World Expos. Specialised Expos are limited in terms of duration - lasting up to three months - and space - with the exhibition area not exceeding 25 hectares. The site is entirely built by the Organiser, Participants being provided with pavilion space.

The most recent Specialised Expo, Expo 2017 Astana, took place in the capital of Kazakhstan under the theme “Future Energy”, and received almost 4 million visits.