The Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) held its 177th General Assembly in Paris on 25 November. Delegates representing the 184 Member States of the BIE attended the session, which featured updates on upcoming Expos as well as the closing reports for Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai and the 24th Triennale Milano International Exhibition.

The General Assembly also heard reports from the meetings of the four committees of the BIE: the Administration and Budget Committee, the Executive Committee, the Rules Committee, and the Information and Communication Committee. These updates covered recent progress on projects and regulations relating to the BIE and Expos, as well as strategic priorities for the years ahead. 

The General Assembly also held elections for the presidency of the BIE and for the members of the four BIE committees.

The Presidency of the 177th General Assembly of the BIE

World Expos

Following the conclusion of Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai on 13 October 2025, the Organisers presented their closing report, reflecting on the collaboration, innovation and lasting impact of the event that welcomed 29 million visitors. Ambassador Koji Haneda, Commissioner-General of the Expo, expressed his gratitude to the BIE and to all participating countries, noting that “the exhibitions and the events were truly captivating and brought profound inspiration and excitement to visitors and stakeholders.”

Masakazu Tokura, Chairman of the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition, addressing the 177th General Assembly of the BIE

The Expo’s theme, “Designing Future Society for Our Lives” brought people together from around the world, highlighted the Chairperson of the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition, Masakazu Tokura, who added that he hopes the philosophy of “Unity in Diversity” will be carried forward. The Secretary General of the Expo Association, Hiroyuki Ishige, offered an overview of the Expo’s successes and lessons learned, noting that the mascot Myaku-Myaku “captured people’s hearts” and that surveys recorded high levels of visitor satisfaction, particularly regarding international pavilions and National Day ceremonies. The organisers also underscored the importance of the Expo’s Theme Weeks, Signature Pavilions, Future Society Showcase and reservation system as defining elements of the Expo experience, affirming that the memories and insights will be passed on to guide future Expos.

At the conclusion of Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai, Saudi Arabia received the Expo flag, with the world’s attention turning towards Expo 2030 Riyadh. Following the World Expo’s formal Registration during the 176th General Assembly in June 2025, the CEO of the Expo 2030 Riyadh Company (ERC), Talal AlMarri reported that Saudi Arabia has started inviting countries to participate, with 67 countries having so far confirmed their intention to participate.