BELGRADE, June 12 (Xinhua) -- More than 114 countries have confirmed their participation in the Specialized Exhibition EXPO 2027 Belgrade, organizers announced on Thursday, following the first International Planning Meeting (IPM) for the event.
The two-day meeting, held from June 10 to 11 in Belgrade, brought together more than 400 delegates from 154 countries.
Participants were given in-depth presentations on the EXPO 2027 theme, "Play for Humanity: Sport and Music for All," as well as vision, construction phases, and operational, digital, and logistical plans -- all tailored to the ambitions of future exhibitors.
Organizers described the meeting as the first of its kind in the Western Balkans and a milestone in Serbia's preparations.
"This marks the beginning of a new chapter -- not only for Serbia but for the entire region and the global community," said Dimitri Kerkentzes, secretary general of the Bureau International des Expositions(BIE). He underlined the importance of hosting a Specialized Expo in a region known for its cultural richness, diversity, and creative potential.
Dusan Borovcanin, director of EXPO 2027 Belgrade, said the theme had been widely embraced by participating countries, offering room for "creative and authentic expression." He noted that feedback from the delegations was overwhelmingly positive.
Delegates also visited the EXPO 2027 construction site in Surcin, in the southwest of Belgrade, and toured the "EXPO Playground" at the Belgrade Fair -- an exhibition space designed to simulate the full layout of the future Expo.
The Specialized Exhibition EXPO 2027 Belgrade is scheduled to run from May 15 to Aug. 15, 2027, and is expected to attract over four million visitors from Serbia, the region, and around the world.
China has also confirmed its participation in the EXPO.
The previous Specialized Expo, EXPO 2017 Astana in Kazakhstan, officially hosted 115 countries and 22 international organizations. Themed "Future Energy," it recorded nearly four million visitors, according to the BIE. ■
