Voting Underway for Expo 2030 Location
The decision on the location for Expo 2030 is being determined today, with the International Exhibition Organization General Assembly meeting in Paris, France to cast their votes.
Each country will begin its presentation at 1:30 pm (Korean time) at 9:30 pm Paris time, with the voting results expected to be announced around midnight. The vote will be conducted by secret ballot, with 179 out of 182 member countries having paid their share.
Contenders for Expo 2030
Saudi Arabia is currently seen as a strong contender for hosting Expo 2030, with the country making efforts to secure the necessary two-thirds majority of 120 votes. However, South Korea is also stepping up its efforts to win over votes, even on the day of the polling.
Last-Minute Efforts
South Korea’s Prime Minister Han Deok-soo and former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon are engaging in last-minute persuasion efforts, with Ban being mentioned as a speaker for the presentation. The strategy includes messaging and stories to influence the final vote, as well as leveraging economic cooperation and global company ownership as advantages over competing countries.
However, the competition remains fierce, with reports of secret activities and diplomatic efforts reminiscent of espionage warfare. Both Saudi Arabia and South Korea are leaving no stone unturned in their bid to secure votes for Expo 2030.
This is Son Ryeong reporting from Paris for MBC News.
◀ Anchor ▶
Voting to decide the location of Expo 2030 takes place today.
Ahead of the showdown with Saudi Arabia, which is seen as a strong contender, Korea is making a last-minute effort even before the vote.
Reporter Son Ryung reports from Paris.
◀ Report ▶
The location of Expo 2030 will be decided tonight at the International Exhibition Organization General Assembly in Paris, France.
Each country will begin its presentation today at 1:30 pm (Korea time) at 9:30 pm, and voting results are expected to be released around midnight.
The vote will be held by secret ballot, with 179 of the 182 participating member countries having paid their share.
Saudi Arabia is currently the most developed.
If two-thirds, or 120 votes, are secured, the host site will be confirmed immediately, but so far most cases have gone to a second round of voting where the two countries facing each other.
Our calculation is that even if we rise to second place, if we can absorb Italy’s votes, it would be worth a shot with Saudi Arabia.
That is why we make an all-out effort even on polling day.
Prime Minister Han Deok-soo and former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon are meeting with member countries and engaging in last-minute persuasion efforts.
Former President Ban, who has high international recognition, is mentioned as a speaker for the presentation.
[이경호/2030 부산세계박람회 유치지원단장]
“We intend to seriously develop messages and stories that can stimulate the last vote in the right PT before voting.”
Each company also intends to use the demand for economic cooperation with the other country that it has identified so far to contribute to the proposal negotiations until the final vote.
Our strategy is to take full advantage of our advantage of owning many global companies compared to Saudi Arabia, which has many royal-centric funds, and Italy, a major tourism powerhouse.
Lure activities are also reminiscent of espionage warfare.
It has been confirmed that Saudi Arabia has contacted and influenced the countries we persuaded again, so the invitation activity itself is being conducted in secret.
I ran with no regrets.
However, the policy is to wage an all-out war even before the vote, with a strategy of protecting the sure votes and stealing the floating votes.
This is Son Ryeong from MBC News in Paris.
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