10 countries represented in Antigua and Barbuda for Capacity Building Programme

Representatives of 10 countries are in St John's, Antigua and Barbuda, to participate in the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE)'s Capacity Building Programme, which started yesterday.

Organised in partnership with the Government of Antigua and Barbuda, the three-day training session is centred around leveraging Expos as a tool for public diplomacy, economic development and shaping the future.

This session gathers government officials and Expo Commissioners-General from across the Caribbean region. A total of 10 countries are participating: Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, St. Kitts and Nevis, and Trinidad and Tobago.

The workshop is aimed at supporting and learning from Caribbean nations in showcasing their cultures, innovations and unique contributions at Expos, notably at the next World Expo, Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai, which opens its gates in less than six months, on 13 April 2025.

The training session began with a plenary meeting attended by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Agriculture, Trade & Barbuda Affairs of Antigua and Barbuda. E.P. Chet Greene, and the Secretary General of the BIE, Dimitri S. Kerkentzes.

The Secretary General of the BIE, Dimitri S. Kerkentzes stated in his opening speech: "Expos allow all Caribbean countries to bring their skills, values and experiences to the table, to inspire the world with their vision and their projects. By strengthening the active participation of this region in Expos, this Capacity Building Programme aims to help Caribbean countries create new opportunities for cultural and economic exchange and play a defining role in building the future."

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Agriculture, Trade & Barbuda Affairs of Antigua and Barbuda, E.P. Chet Greene stated: "This workshop seeks to equip all countries to have a deeper understanding of International Exhibitions. Over the next 3 days, delegates will explore together how their participation in Expos can be maximised and and just how the BIE itself can support all of its 184 Member States."

The three-day programme covers all aspects of participating in Expos, ranging from operational and technical matters to theme development, crafting visitor experiences, and communication. In addition to BIE-led workshops, representatives of World Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai, Specialised Expo 2027 Belgrade and World Expo 2030 Riyadh are also delivering presentations focusing on the specific opportunities, challenges and requirements relating to participating in each Expo.

The Capacity Building Programme is a BIE initiative aimed at supporting its 184 Member States and notably providing countries with additional knowledge and specific technical know-how regarding participation in Expos. The goal of this programme is to support the engagement of Member States in Expos and in the workings of the BIE, therefore fostering the best possible conditions for Expos to serve as attractive and effective platforms for multilateral cooperation, public diplomacy and the education of the public.

This session in Antigua and Barbuda marks the first time the BIE's multilateral Capacity Building Programme is organised for the Caribbean region. Earlier this year, in February 2024, the programme held its first multilateral session in Gabon, following its initial launch in 2020, which was held online due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The next World Expo, Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai, is being held between 13 April and 13 October 2025 under the theme "Designing Future Society for Our Lives". The next Specialised Expo, Expo 2027 Belgrade, will take place between 15 May and 15 August 2027 in Belgrade, Serbia, under the theme "Play for Humanity - Sport and Music for All". World Expo 2030 will take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from 1 October 2030 to 31 March 2031 under the theme "The Era of Change: Together for a Foresighted Tomorrow".