Excitement is building as Thailand enters the final stretch in its bid to host the Specialized Expo 2028 in Phuket during 21 March – 17 June 2028 under the theme “Future of Life: Living in Harmony, Sharing Prosperity”. If Thailand is selected, this will be first time an Expo of this kind will be held in the Southeast Asia and South Asia region opening the door to the dynamism and potential of the region. It will also build on opportunities for businesses and accelerate growth within and beyond these areas.
The Thai government submitted the bid to host the Specialized Expo 2028 in January 2022 and has launched an active campaign to make this dream a reality. It is truly a national effort driven by a strong coalition from the government, the private sector and the people of Thailand.
A National Candidature Committee has been established which includes, the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Public Health, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Commerce, the city of Phuket, TCEB, and other related government and private organizations. The private sector has also pledged their full commitment and readiness to support Thailand’s bid, and Phuket’s dynamic local communities have come out in full force to campaign for Expo 2028 Phuket, Thailand.
Argentina, Serbia, Spain and the United States have also announced their candidacy. The host country will be elected on 20-21 June this year during the BIE General Assembly in Paris.
Expo 2028 Phuket, Thailand: A Legacy for Sustainability
Thailand’s bid proposal underlines our determination to transform Phuket to a truly sustainable city. Sustainability is our shared global agenda and it is the core value of Thailand’s national agenda. The theme of the Expo 2028 in Phuket “Future of Life: Living in Harmony, Sharing Prosperity” exemplifies Thailand’s steadfast commitment to pursuing sustainable development and achieving the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. It is also in line with Thailand’s development strategy and the Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) Economy Model that emphasizes sustainable economic growth and development. Moreover, the Expo project is part of the city’s development plan to transform Phuket into a sustainable city in all dimensions, creating economic development through sustainable tourism, education, MICE, sport, innovation, and services.
The Phuket Expo will be a platform for innovative solutions and partnership to address our common challenges to create a sustainable future for all through three sub-themes, focusing on People, Planet and Prosperity.
The first sub-theme, “Life and Wellbeing” highlights development and solutions towards the healthy life of the people. This subtheme will lead discussions on how we can address issues impacting our People, such as poverty, hunger, health crises, or gender inequality.
The second sub-theme, “Human and Nature” is set with the awareness that the future of life would be non-existent if our planet succumbs to these challenges. A healthy planet is of utmost importance to the survival of all living species; therefore, humans and nature need to coexist harmoniously. The Expo 2028 in Phuket will focus on restoring balance and rebuilding a healthy Planet through responsible consumption, alternative energy, and improving the health of our oceans through the Blue Economy.
The third sub-theme, “Mutual Prosperity” focuses on more equal opportunities, access to basic utilities and education, sustainable energy, and bridging the inequality gap. Under this sub-theme, the Expo wishes to ensure a future where everyone benefits and prospers in a more levelled playing field. It also promotes international cooperation, both South-South cooperation as well as cooperation between developed and developing countries.
Expo 2028, Phuket: Designed for sustainability
The proposed site of the Expo on Mai Khao Beach in the northern part of Phuket is known for its lush natural landscape including both a forest and a beach, as well as a natural spawning location for leatherback sea turtles. It will be the first ever world class Expo held in a forest embodying a bio-ecological concept through the “Flow of Nature” to minimise the impact on the surrounding natural environment. The original ecosystem will be preserved as much as possible, and man-made buildings will only account for 20% of the area.
The Expo site is designed to create an Expo where humans and nature live together in harmony. It will generate a natural carbon footprint with sustainable buildings using solar roofs and green roofs that will collect rainwater for usage. The design will also maximise natural light and ventilation to minimise the use of power and energy. Visitors can also walk to all the Expo sites and green transport will also be available.
After the Expo 2028, the site will return to its original plan to house healthcare facilities and research centers operated by Vachira Phuket Hospital under the supervision of the Ministry of Public Health. There will be an Ecological Park as well as an exhibition and conference center.
Why Phuket?
As a top destination in the world in the beautiful Andaman Sea, Phuket is ready and well-equipped with a convenient, connected location and well-developed infrastructure to host this important event. It is known for its world-class hospitality with a reasonable price, supported by well-established industries, such as services, gastronomy, medical and wellness. Phuket has emerged stronger than ever from many challenges and with its historical and cultural diversity, Phuket is truly a testament of strength and resilience the Expo seeks to advocate.
Support and become a part of Thailand’s bidding campaign by following the Expo 2028 Phuket’s activities at https://expo2028thailand.com/ and twitter @expo2028phuket.
From the Ministry of Foreign Affairs