Latvia has acceded to the Convention on International Exhibitions and received approval to join the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), better known as the organiser of the World Expo. Latvia will participate in EXPO 2025 Osaka with a joint Baltic Pavilion together with Lithuania.
"With its membership in the International Bureau of Expositions, Latvia will be able to participate fully in the planning of EXPO exhibitions, receive various benefits, and vote for the venue of the next exhibition. By participating in the previous EXPO in Dubai, we managed not only to raise the country's prestige and visibility in the Middle East region, but also to increase Latvian exports to the United Arab Emirates by 52% and to Saudi Arabia by 200%," says Raivis Bremšmits, Deputy State Secretary of the Ministry of Economics.
Participation in the International Bureau of Exhibition will give Latvia the opportunity to receive a 15% discount on pavilion rental at Expo 2025 Osaka, as well as the opportunity to vote on operational issues during Expo 2025.
"Another important benefit of being part of this organisation will be the opportunity to vote for the host country of the EXPO. This offers significant advantages in terms of building inter-country relations, as well as direct influence in the decision on the venue. Last but not least, we will be able to decide on various issues that could potentially affect Latvia's performance at the fair already during the Osaka fair," said Lāsma Līdaka, Director of the Latvian Investment and Development Agency's EXPO Pavilion.
The Ministry of Economics will be the responsible authority for Latvia's participation in the International Exhibition Office.
Latvia's goal in participating in EXPO 2025 Osaka is to increase exports to Japan by at least EUR 50 million and to attract new investment from Japan in sectors of strategic importance to Latvia. The fair is also a huge platform for developing networks with other EXPO 2025 Osaka member countries. It is an opportunity to promote Latvia's international visibility, including in distant export markets.
The Bureau of International Exhibitions is the intergovernmental organisation that has been overseeing and organising the world's EXPOs since 1931. The aim of these events is to educate the public, promote progress and foster transnational cooperation. EXPO is a globally significant event, bringing together most of the world's countries. More than 160 countries are expected to participate in EXPO 2025 Osaka and a total of 28 million visitors are expected to attend the event over a 6-month period.
At present, 183 countries are members of the International Bureau of Exhibitions and Latvia will become the 184th member.