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Ongoing positive diplomatic exposition endeavors

To win the bid for the World Expo 2030, Busan is fiercely competing with Rome, Odessa and the most competitive candidate, Riyadh in Saudi Arabia. The oil-rich city has begun to garner support from developing countries in Africa, Asia and Central and South America. Toward the end of 2023, the host city for the World Expo 2030 will be decided by 170 Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) member countries.


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Camp members cheer for the expo.


Before submitting the candidature dossier, the city's "One Team," composed of government members, economic field specialists and Korean wave celebrities, participate in customized promotion activities. The group is concentrating on why Busan should be the host city, its strengths and the city's impact on human development. 


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Mayor Park meets U.S. Ambassador Goldberg.


Urban diplomacy


Busan takes another step toward hosting by utilizing urban diplomacy. To intensively promote the theme "Transforming Our World, Navigating Toward a Better Future," the city is empathizing measures being taken in response to climate change, the most urgent issue facing humanity. One such measure is the UN-Habitat sustainable floating city.


The government has selected the World Expo 2030 Busan as a national project and President Yoon Suk-yeol addressed this support at his 100th-day celebration. Official efforts encompass diplomatic networking of embassies, summits and more.


In July, Busan Mayor Park Heong-joon met eight countries' ministers and vice-ministers who attended the Korea-LAC Future Cooperation Forum in Busan and garnered support for the World Expo 2030 Busan. In particular, he invited officials, including the Tanzanian Minister of Foreign Affairs, the New Zealand Ambassador to the Republic of Korea, the Charge d'Affaires at the Chile Embassy in Seoul, the Spain Ambassador to the Republic of Korea, the Kazakhstan Consul-General Busan, the Estonia Ambassador to the Republic of Korea, an official from the Bulgarian Embassy in Seoul and a member of the Embassy of Cote d'Ivoire to the city and for their support.


Additionally, on Aug. 8, Mayor Park met with economic officials from around the world, including Kim Sung-kon, the president of the Overseas Koreans Foundation and Hwang Byung-Gu, the chairperson of the Korean American Chamber of Commerce in America. Park then met with Philip Goldberg, the U.S. ambassador to Korea to discuss the World Expo and asked for support.


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Lotte Aquarium shows the support for the bid.


Conglomerate and celebrity backing


After Chey Tae Won became a co-chair of the World Expo 2030 Busan Bid Committee, primary national groups such as Samsung Electronics, Hyundai Motor Company, LG, SK Group, Lotte, Hwanhwa, GS, Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. and Shinsegae joined. The global reach of these conglomerates strengthens the city's financial and network position.


BTS, the third honorary ambassador for the World Expo 2030 Busan, will continue promotional activities with a concert in Busan Oct. 15. Actor Lee Jung-jae, the first honorary ambassador, continues to participate in promotions. In August, a festival anticipating the World Expo 2030 Busan was held. Classical celebrities, including Soprano Jo Sumi, Maestro Chung Myung-whun and violinist Clara-Jumi Kang, had performances.


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Boogi is seen around town promoting Busan's candidature.


Shared interests


Additional support for the city's candidature comes from foreign residents and the Korean diaspora. In July, City Hall and the Busan Foundation for International Cooperation established Expo Friends, a promotional group of foreigners for the World Expo 2030 Busan. Over 100 foreigners from 38 countries are members, introducing the world to Busan's wonders and willingness to host the World Expo.


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Expo Friends gather for the opening ceremony.


In late July, participants of the 2022 OK Friends Home Coming Youth Camp began a campaign to encourage expo promotions. This year, the project is larger than ever, with 439 participants from 27 countries. The participants will take part in various activities, including endorsements on-site and on social media. 


The U.N.'s Busan Participatory Diplomacy Supporters program, composed of 50 national and 50 international university students from 22 countries, started in July. Its mission is to conduct participatory diplomacy, a cooperative project of Busan City and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and promotion for the expo. 


On July 20, the Busan Diplomatic forum commenced. Experts in diverse fields, including diplomatic, academic, commerce and journalism areas, attended. The assembly strengthened active urban diplomacy and the potential for success.


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Expo Kpop group X4's displays are visible on various forms of public transportation.


Efforts to increase citizens' involvement in the world expo are underway. City Hall, in cooperation with the Busan Transportation Corporation, created an "EXPO (X4) themed car" for metro lines 1 and 2. The cars, which run until Sept. 27, feature photos of Lee Jung-jae and the virtual group "X4," consisting of singers Zion. T, Wonstein, Jeon Somi and Arin. The QR code on images can be scanned for an X4 music video and promotional material.