The BIE
The Paris-based Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) is the international body responsible for overseeing the calendar, bidding, selection and organisation of World Expos. Through its 168 member states it embodies a global commitment to engage the public in promoting innovation in the service of human progress.
The BIE was created by an international convention signed in 1928, which established the rights and responsibilities of the Expo organisers and participants. Its role is to supervise and ensure the application of this convention.
As the international governing body of Expos, the BIE provides the regulatory framework for these prestigious global events. Its mission is to maintain the integrity and quality of Expos so that they may continue to educate the public and promote innovation in the service of human progress.
The actions of the BIE are based upon three fundamental values.
TRUST: Host nations commit to creating and to organising major opportunities for humanity to meet and have established a link of fraternity between cultures. The Countries’ objective is to carry out a grand and common project, in a spirit of education and communication, which can help build trust and connect countries and civil society.
SOLIDARITY: International Exhibitions are the intersection of cultural diversity and innovation, where civilisations share their know-how with the goal to identify, together, the best prospects and the best solution to face the major challenges for humanity.
PROGRESS: International Exhibitions aim to foster education through experience, development through innovation and experimentation through cooperation. They are powerful catalyst for growth and a bridge between different eras.
Expos must provide not only a benchmark for the human progress made in a given domain, but also propose a roadmap for the future – and the BIE works to ensure this.