Yeosu Expo: global event, global success
By Lee Joon-hee
With the opening of the Expo 2010 Shanghai China on May 1, Expo fever is sweeping the entire world. The Korean government and major Korean companies are enthusiastically taking part in the international mega-event through the Korea Pavilion and the Korea Business Pavilion.
Once the Shanghai Expo comes to a close at the end of October, the next World Expo will be held in Yeosu, South Korea, from May to August in 2012.
The sheer size, the number of participating countries, and the expected number of visitors to the Shanghai Expo is unprecedented in the history of World Expos. Held so soon after such a record-breaking event, many may wonder what the Yeosu Expo will offer the world and how it will distinguish itself from its predecessor.
To answer these questions, we must first outline the differences between the two Expos. The fundamental distinction is that the Shanghai Expo is a general ``Registered" Expo, while the Yeosu Expo is a specialized ``Recognized" one.
According to the BIE (Bureau International des Exhibitions) regulations, the Shanghai Expo, being a Registered Expo, has no restrictions on the exhibition area and is held for six months. In addition, the participating countries must build their own national pavilions at their own expense.
On the other hand, the Yeosu Expo, a Recognized Expo, is space-wise limited to an exhibition area of 250,000 square meters with a duration of three months.
Furthermore, a specific theme for the Expo is designated, and we as the host country provide the pavilions for the participating countries at no expense.
These can be interpreted as advantages of the Yeosu Expo; the appropriate size and human scale make it more accessible, a specialized theme allows for the development of in-depth and engaging exhibitions, and the provision of exhibition space by the host considerably lessens the burden to participating countries.
In this sense, the two Expos can be compared to two Paris-based museums ― the Shanghai Expo to the all-encompassing but overwhelming Louvre and the Yeosu Expo to the unique and user-friendly Picasso Museum.
The all-important theme of the Yeosu Expo is ``The Living Ocean and Coast." The oceans compose a major part of the Earth, and yet they are in a state of crisis due to our neglect and abuse.
Thus, the Yeosu Expo's theme highlights the urgent need to address the problems faced by our marine environment. The principal goal of the Expo 2012 is to enhance the international community's awareness of and to find solutions to humankind's present-day challenges, such as the pollution of the marine environment and the depletion of natural resources.
Furthermore, during the Yeosu Expo, the ocean will not be regarded merely as something to be protected and conserved, but also as a source of limitless possibilities and a powerful engine of sustainable economic growth.
In this line, exemplifications of the ``Blue Economy," or green growth based on the sea, will be a key feature of the Expo 2012.
In addition, we are fully aware of the need for the theme to captivate visitors through accessible content and to further involve them actively in the exhibitions. To this end, we are planning exhibitions that are varied, entertaining, educational, and moving.
Moreover, the ocean will be used as part of the exhibition space, for the first time ever in the history of World Expos. The main thoroughfare of the Expo, the Expo Digital Gallery, will be a ubiquitous space infused with the combination of Korea's superior IT technology and dynamic culture, and the Coastal Park will enable first-hand experience and study of marine life.
However, we cannot make the Yeosu Expo a success alone. We need the enthusiastic participation of many countries with their quality contributions to make the Expo 2012 a landmark Expo exerting resounding global impact.
Togetherness is the key not only to finding solutions to the problems faced by the marine environment, but also to the success of the Yeosu Expo.
We have thus far the confirmed the participation of 51 countries, and we were greatly encouraged by the participation of 85 countries in our First International Planning Meeting in April, which was beyond our expectations. Our goal is to ultimately enlist the participation of 100 countries and to attract 8 million visitors, including half a million foreign visitors.
To be sure, the ocean-centered theme has attracted international interest since the bidding period for the Expo 2012, and will continue to be a decisive factor in attracting the participation of many countries.
Most notably, U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon visited Yeosu last August and declared on the spot the participation of the U.N. in the Yeosu Expo, explaining that the theme and purpose of the Yeosu Expo is well aligned with the goals of the U.N.
In encouragement, to promote close cooperation at a truly global level, and to suggest concrete programs, the ``Yeosu Declaration" will be adopted during the Yeosu Expo.
We plan to work closely with marine-related international organizations and the participating countries to this end. In addition, with the initial allocation of $10 million, we will launch the ``Yeosu Project" in order to enhance the transfer of marine technology between developing and developed countries.
I emphasize that the Yeosu Expo is a top priority of the Korean government. President Lee Myung-bak has already visited Yeosu and checked its development personally and further continues to show a strong commitment to the success of the Expo 2012.
The Government Support Committee, headed by the prime minister, and the Expo Special Committee, within the National Assembly, have been established to support the Yeosu Expo.
Along with the Olympics and the World Cup, the World Expo is one of the three pillars of international events. Following the success of the 1988 Seoul Olympics and the 2002 World Cup, the Yeosu Expo is the next major event to be hosted by Korea.
We promise to deliver an extraordinary Expo in 2012 supported by the fervent enthusiasm of the Korean people. See you in Yeosu in 2012!
Lee Joon-hee is commissioner of Expo 2012 Yeosu Korea.