Final vote for Expo venue to take place today

Busan citizens cheer for the southern port city's bid to host World Expo 2030 in front of Busan Station, Monday, a day before the 173rd General Assembly of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), where a vote to determine the venue of the 2030 expo, is scheduled to take place. Yonhap

A decisive vote to determine the venue of World Expo 2030 through ballots cast by the representatives of 182 member states of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) is scheduled to take place Tuesday night.

Korea's southern port city of Busan is competing fiercely against Riyadh and Rome.

Ahead of the vote, each of the three candidate countries will deliver a 20-minute final presentation of their World Expo projects. Ban Ki-moon, former secretary-general of the United Nations, is slated to be one of the speakers representing Korea.

Following the presentations, a secret ballot will be conducted by government-appointed delegates representing member states. An outright winner will be announced after the first round of votes if two-thirds of all 182 member countries, totaling more than 122 votes, are obtained.

If this threshold is not reached, the remaining countries, excluding the last-placed candidate, will participate in a second round of voting. The candidate with the most votes in the second round will ultimately be selected as the host country.

LG's wrapping buses promoting Busan's bid to host World Expo 2030 drive around Paris, Sunday, where the 173rd General Assembly of Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) is held. Yonhap

In a last-minute, all-out effort, the bidding committee for the Expo, including Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, Busan Mayor Park Heong-joon, and Chey Tae-won, the chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) and co-chair of the Bid Committee for World Expo 2030 Busan, gathered in Paris.

Han is scheduled to meet with delegates from BIE member states, making a last-minute pitch before the vote, highlighting Korea’s vision to transform the World Expo into a platform addressing humanity's challenges, including war and conflict, the digital divide and climate change, according to his office.

Bang Moon-kyu, minister of trade, industry and energy, and Oh Young-ju, second vice minister of foreign affairs, will actively seek support during the meetings, while citizens from Busan's private bidding committee plan to showcase the city's appeal to tourists at Notre Dame Cathedral and the Louvre Museum.

President Yoon Suk Yeol also actively promoted Busan's bid during his three-day visit to the French capital late last week, emphasizing the city's potential to lead innovations and contribute to the sustainable growth of humankind.

A Busan citizen prays for the city's bid to host World Expo in 2030 at Busan Station, Monday, a day before the 173rd General Assembly of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) holds a vote to choose the venue of the 2030 Expo. Yonhap

The government remains optimistic about Busan's chances, particularly in the event of a second round of voting. While initial assessments leaned towards Saudi Arabia, there is speculation that European votes may sway in favor of Korea, given recent expressions of support for Palestine by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman amid the conflict with Israel.

Furthermore, the Japanese government expressed its support for Busan’s bid on Sunday, amid improving relations between Seoul and Tokyo, according to a report by Yomiuri Shimbun, a Japanese daily newspaper.

The final vote results are anticipated to be disclosed between midnight and 1 a.m. on Wednesday.