Latest news with #DimitriKerkentzes
Japan Times
19-05-2025
- Business
- Japan Times
BIE head suggests later Osaka Expo close time
Bureau International des Expositions Secretary-General Dimitri Kerkentzes has suggested moving the closing time for the ongoing World Exposition in the city of Osaka from 10 p.m. to 11 p.m., it was learned Monday. The aim of the idea, proposed during a meeting Saturday between Kerkentzes and Osaka Gov. Hirofumi Yoshimura, is to increase the number of nighttime visitors. The Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition will consider its response. Although Yoshimura expressed an intent to consider the extension, changing the closing time will affect visitor transportation plans for safe and smooth access to the event, possibly leading to increased costs for security. The expo's current opening hours are 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Ticket bookings are concentrated in the morning.
19-05-2025
- Business
BIE Head Suggests Later Osaka Expo Close Time
News from Japan Society Guide to Japan Travel May 19, 2025 15:16 (JST) Osaka, May 19 (Jiji Press)--Bureau International des Expositions Secretary-General Dimitri Kerkentzes has suggested extending the closing time for the ongoing World Exposition in the western Japan city of Osaka from 10 p.m. to 11 p.m., it was learned Monday. The aim of the idea, proposed during a meeting Saturday between Kerkentzes and Osaka Governor Hirofumi Yoshimura, is to increase the number of nighttime visitors. The Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition will consider its response. Although Yoshimura expressed an intent to consider the extension, changing the closing time will affect visitor transportation plans for safe and smooth access to the event, possibly leading to increased costs for security. The Expo's current opening hours are 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Ticket bookings are concentrated in the morning. [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.] Jiji Press
The National
12-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
Expo 2025 Osaka opens after huge success in Dubai
Three years after the gates closed at Expo 2020 Dubai, celebrations have begun for the opening of Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan – the first to be held 'on the sea'. This is the second time the port city of Osaka is hosting a world expo. The commercial hub also hosted the 1970 expo – the first in Asia – and attracted more than 64 million visitors, making it the most visited expo of the 20th century. Orchestral performances, cultural dances and songs were part of the opening ceremony on Saturday, on artificial island Yumeshima in Osaka Bay. Japan's royal family took part in the celebrations of an expo that brings together more than 160 countries and international organisations. The site opens to the public from April 13 until October 13, on the theme Designing Future Society for Our Lives. Hideyuki Yokoyama, mayor of Osaka, said he hoped visitors would learn how to be future-ready after experiencing immersive technology at the 'first expo on the sea'. 'I hope that young children will come into contact with technology exhibited at the expo site, learn and be inspired to change the future for the better,' he said. 'We are excited the expo is finally opening. This will be the first expo on the sea. The Grand Ring is part of our vision and expo legacy as we welcome the world. We look forward to sharing this unique space with people from Japan and overseas.' Dimitri Kerkentzes, secretary general of the Bureau International des Expositions, which organises world expos, referenced the previous time Osaka hosted the world fair. 'Fifty-five years ago, Expo 1970 Osaka showcased a world in transformation, where new technologies redefined societies and connected lives,' said 'Now countries are convening once again in Osaka to share their perspectives and engage in meaningful dialogue to shape a better future for all.' The UAE has described participating in the Expo 2025 Osaka as historic and embodying the country's goals of international co-operation and teamwork. More than 9 million tickets have been sold, with the number of visitors over the six months expected to reach more than 28 million – about 150,000 people daily. The expo is being held on a 155-hectare site within the Grand Ring, the largest wooden architectural structure in the world. Countries have set up their pavilions within its 2km circumference. World expos have usually been held every five years since 1851, when the first great exhibition was held in London. Expos are planned as a global gathering of nations to find solutions to the pressing challenges of the day, in which countries, cities, non-governmental organisations and companies participate. The expo in Dubai was postponed by a year due to the pandemic but kept the title Expo 2020 Dubai. It was the first world expo to be held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia region and brought together more than 200 participants from more than 190 countries on a 438-hectare site in Dubai South. More than 24 million visits were recorded for the Dubai expo, which took the theme Connecting minds, Creating the Future. It ended on March 31, 2022. The UAE won praise for staging such a huge event amid Covid-19 protocols that needed to be frequently updated and for providing testing facilities on site to keep visitors safe. After Osaka, the next expo will take place in Riyadh from October 2030, under the theme, Foresight for Tomorrow.
Asharq Al-Awsat
08-03-2025
- Business
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi Arabia Submits Expo 2030 Riyadh Registration Dossier to BIE
Saudi Arabia submitted its official registration dossier for World Expo 2030 Riyadh to the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), reaffirming its commitment and readiness to organize this global event. The dossier was presented to BIE Secretary-General Dimitri Kerkentzes by Saudi Ambassador to France Fahad Al-Ruwaily, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Friday. Submitting the official bid is one of the most crucial stages in the Kingdom's preparations to host Expo 2030. It marks the beginning of the practical implementation of plans and the actual start of preparations for the global event, reflecting the Kingdom's seriousness in fulfilling its international obligations and its high organizational capabilities and large potential to host major global events. This step follows the Kingdom's election as World Expo 2030 host country during the 173rd BIE general assembly in November 2023. The submitted dossier includes a comprehensive plan covering all organizational, procedural, and operational aspects, including the operational timeline; legislative, regulatory, and financial procedures; the master plan for the exhibition site; international participation conditions; and plans to invest in the Expo's legacy. The registration file will undergo a review by the BIE and its member countries in preparation for its official approval by the general assembly. Once approved, the Kingdom will begin practical preparations and send official invitations for international participation through diplomatic channels. Kerkentzes praised the quality of the submitted file, noting that it presents a comprehensive and clear vision for organizing Expo 2030 in Riyadh. He highlighted the Kingdom's keenness and extensive efforts in preparing and cooperating with the bureau to ensure the success of the global event.
Leaders
08-03-2025
- Business
- Leaders
Saudi Arabia Officiality Submits Expo 2030 Registration Dossier
Saudi Arabia has submitted an official registration dossier to the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) to host World Expo 2030 Riyadh, according to the Saudi Press Agency. Saudi ambassador to France Fahd bin Mayouf Al-Ruwaili presented the document to the Secretary General of BIE Dimitri Kerkentzes. This comes after the Kingdom was announced as the winning bid to host expo at a BIE event in November 2023. Therefore, the submission marks the actual beginning of event preparations. Kerkentzes has commended the clear organizational vision around Expo 2030 Riyadh, stating that the plan 'reflects the Kingdom's dedication and the significant efforts it is exerting to prepare for this global event and closely cooperate with BIE to ensure its success'. Interestingly, the submission features a comprehensive plan boasting all of the event's organizational, operational as well as procedural aspects, along with the scheduled operational dates. Furthermore, it involves the legislative, regulatory, and financial measures, the Expo site master plan, the conditions for international participation, and plans for utilizing the exhibition's legacy. Before the official adoption of the organization's general assembly, BIE and its members will review the document. After this step, the Kingdom will officially commence the practical preparations and extend official invitations for international participation through the proper diplomatic channels. Related Topics: Riyadh Expo 2030: Saudi Arabia Gears up for a Global Showcase Saudi Crown Prince, BIE Head Discuss Preparations for Expo 2030 'Expo 2030 Serves as Significant Milestone in Saudi Vision 2030': Economy Min. Short link : Post Views: 5
