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Moscow withdraws bid to host Expo-2030 as event gets politicized — Cabinet

The Russian Prime Minister noted that "by voluntarily making this difficult decision, Russia hopes that in the foreseeable future the global exhibition movement will return to its historical roots, when it was engaged in non-political and purely applied activities"

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin Dmitry Astakhov/POOL/TASS

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin

© Dmitry Astakhov/POOL/TASS

MOSCOW, May 23. /TASS/. The Russian government decided to withdraw Moscow's application for the right to host the Expo 2030 exhibition, the Cabinet’s press service reported on Monday. Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin sent a letter announcing this decision to Dimitri Kerkentzes, Secretary General of the Bureau International Des Expositions (BIE), the intergovernmental organization in charge of overseeing and regulating World Expos.

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Russia withdraws Moscow’s nomination for hosting Expo-2030, says foreign ministry

"We regret to state that the international exhibition movement has become another victim of the desire of a number of countries to pursue a politicized line in an anti-Russian spirit. Taking into account the decisions made recently by the International Exhibitions Bureau, there is no need to expect an honest competitive campaign to choose the venue for the Expo-2030 World Universal Exhibition," the press service reported citing Mishustin's letter.

The Russian Prime Minister added that "by voluntarily making this difficult decision, the Russian Federation hopes that in the foreseeable future the global exhibition movement will return to its historical roots, when it was engaged in non-political and purely applied activities in the interests of economic development and the strengthening of international trade and economic cooperation".

The Expo world universal exhibition is the biggest international event offering participant nations the possibility to present themselves to the world, to demonstrate their achievements in the areas of science and technology, culture, and architecture. In the recent years, the expo’s exhibitions have served as a platform for public diplomacy and national brand-building.

It was assumed that if Moscow is chosen, the exhibition will be held from April 27 to October 27, 2030. The Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) will vote in 2023 to pick the winning city.

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