Antigua and Barbuda will host a multilateral session of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) Capacity Building Programme from November 4 to 6, 2024, marking the first such event in the Caribbean.

The three-day workshop in St. John’s aims to promote collaboration among Caribbean nations to enhance their participation in future Expos, including the upcoming World Expo 2025 in Osaka.

Participants will participate in thematic sessions led by BIE representatives and officials from future Expos, which will focus on the benefits and logistics of Expo participation.

Foreign Affairs Minister E.P. Chet Greene talked about the significant value that Antigua and Barbuda places on regional cooperation, particularly in relation to leveraging opportunities presented by international Expos.

He highlighted that hosting the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) Capacity Building Programme represents a distinctive chance for the nation to enhance its dedication to fostering international dialogue and knowledge exchange.

Greene expressed that this initiative not only reflects Antigua and Barbuda’s commitment to connectivity and collaboration with other countries but also aims to promote sustainable progress and development for all participating nations.

By engaging in such global platforms, he says Antigua and Barbuda seeks to contribute positively to a broader discourse on issues that affect the region and the world.

The Capacity Building Programme, established to support BIE’s 184 Member States, aims to provide knowledge and technical expertise to foster effective participation in Expos.

This session follows a similar event held in Gabon in 2024 and highlights Antigua and Barbuda’s commitment to international dialogue and public diplomacy through Expos.

The country has been a BIE member since 1997 and participated in Expos since 1986.