By Pita Ligaiula in Seoul
Pacific countries support for South Korea’s bid to host the World Expo in 2030, will be a sovereign decision for each member countries to make, says Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General Henry Puna.
The issue is expected to be raised at the Inaugural Korea – Pacific Summit Monday.
PACNEWS understand Korea will be asking the Pacific to support its bid to bring the 2030 World Expo to the southeastern port city of Busan as Seoul seeks to expand its diplomatic influence in the region.
“Well, that is a sovereign decision that each country has to take.
“The officials have their own views. It doesn’t really matter. It doesn’t count. It’s for each country, and that’s a national decision,” SG Puna told Pacific media in Seoul.
Busan aims to host the World EXPO 2030 with the main theme of “Transforming Our World, Navigating Toward a Better Future”.
In the face of climate change and environmental degradation driven by rapid industrialisation and economic development, the World EXPO 2030 Busan aims to serve as a platform to develop solutions to promote ‘sustainable life with nature’.
“I have to say I’m very impressed with the preparations by Korea hosting 2030.
“For the first time, Expo will be fully aligned with climate change, and they will be promoting that.
And it’s something that you know, I think in the long term, which is the better option, for me Korean is doing in recent years is a sign of genuine friendship.
Korea is ramping up its bidding effort to bring the World Expo to Busan, with five months left before a decision will be made by the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE).
The plan to ramp up promotional activities to boost public awareness for the Expo bid both at home and overseas, especially in Paris, while increasing lobbying by sending delegations.
Busan is competing with Rome, Riyadh and Odesa to host the expo in 2030. The host country will be decided by a vote of 170 BIE member countries in November during a general assembly in Paris.
SOURCE: PACNEWS
