15 countries gathered in Dakar for the BIE’s Capacity Building Programme
Representatives from 15 countries are gathered in Dakar, Senegal, for a multilateral session of the BIE’s Capacity Building Programme, which began yesterday and brings together around 70 participants.
Organised in partnership with the Government of Senegal, the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Senegalese Export Promotion Agency (ASEPEX), this two-day training session focuses on the role of Expos as tools for public diplomacy, economic development, and shaping future perspectives. It brings together government officials and Expo Commissioners from 15 countries: Angola, Benin, Cabo Verde, the Comoros, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Gabon, Mali, Mauritius, Sao Tomé and Principe, Senegal, Togo, and Tunisia.
The programme opened with welcome addresses by Senegal’s Minister for Industry and Trade, Serigne Guèye Diop, the Secretary General of the BIE, Dimitri S. Kerkentzes, and the Director General of ASEPEX, Modou Mbène Gueye.
The Secretary General of the BIE, Dimitri S. Kerkentzes, indicated: “The discussions at this Capacity Building Programme directly inform the preparations for future Expos. Successful participation requires clearly defining one’s objectives and designing one’s project in line with the country’s priorities. In this respect, learning from the experience of those who have already gone through these stages is particularly valuable.”
In his opening remarks, the Minister of Industry and Trade, Serigne Guèye Diop, said about Expos: “In a world characterised by profound economic, technological, environmental, and geopolitical changes, these platforms for dialogue are of particular importance. They encourage us to move beyond a competitive mindset and prioritise cooperation, solidarity, and the search for shared solutions to the challenges of our time. It is precisely in this spirit that we welcome this capacity building session.”
ASEPEX Director-General Modou Mbène Gueye emphasised: “For us African countries, Expos offer great strategic opportunities […] They allow us to tell Africa’s story from an African perspective. With this in mind, ASEPEX places particular importance on this capacity building session.”
This two-day programme covers all aspects related to participation in and the organisation of Expos, including operational and technical matters, theme development, the visitor experience and communication. Workshops are led by the BIE Secretariat, covering the organisation of Expos and the operational aspects of participation, and by representatives of Member States, who share case studies and experiences. Representatives from Specialised Expo 2027 Belgrade and World Expo 2030 Riyadh are also leading dedicated sessions presenting the technical specificities and opportunities offered by their respective Expos. France is also contributing to the programme through a workshop exploring the role of the Francophone world within the context of Expos.
The Capacity Building Programme is a BIE initiative aimed at supporting its 184 Member States by enhancing their knowledge and expertise in participating in and organising Expos. It contributes to fostering their engagement in these international events and creating the best possible conditions for Expos to serve as platforms for multilateral cooperation, public diplomacy, and education.
The next Specialised Expo, Expo 2027 Belgrade, will take place from 15 May to 15 August 2027 in Belgrade, Serbia, under the theme "Play for Humanity – Sport and Music for All". The next World Expo, Expo 2030 Riyadh, will be held from 1 October 2030 to 31 March 2031 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, under the theme "Foresight for Tomorrow".
