A “Memorandum of Understanding for the Candidacy of Rome Expo 2030 – Intentions, Commitments, and Union Relations” was signed at Campidoglio on October 27, 2022. The question being addressed by Italy is, between Rome, Busan (South Korea), and Riyadh (Saudi Arabia),why Rome for the World Expo 2030?
The city offers several reasons to be chosen, including its large population, the inclusion of foreign residents, the presence of a major technology hub, and its status as a favorite tourist destination. Rome boasts an ancient history and culture, as well as being a hub for multinationals and innovative businesses. The city is also known for its solidarity and its role in international diplomacy. With state-of-the-art infrastructure, Rome has demonstrated its ability to organize world-class events.
The political consensus for Rome’s candidacy for Expo 2030 is broad, both nationally and locally. The candidacy is supported by various political forces, including European representatives, and there is a financial and operational commitment to its success. Italy intends to host the Expo as an opportunity for comparison between nations and cultures.
The MOU establishes the basis for a collaboration between Roma Capitale and the trade unions for the organization of the universal exposition. The main objective is to guarantee safety on construction sites, avoid unpaid or underpaid work, and provide professional training for workers in view of Expo 2030. The protocol was signed by Mayor Roberto Gualtieri and union representatives of the main organizations.
Furthermore, the third sector has been involved in the candidacy of Expo 2030. A partnership has been signed with CSVnet, the National Association of Service Centers for Volunteering, to manage the volunteers who will participate in the event. The third sector plays an important role in promoting the values of Expo 2030 and also represents a significant economic player in Italy.
A survey commissioned by IPSOS in June 2022 revealed that over 70% of citizens of Rome and other regions are in favor of holding the Universal Exposition in Rome.
The event is considered an opportunity for the city and for the country, capable of stimulating the renewal and evolution of urban areas. The Promoting Committee also organized the States General of Expo 2030, involving 750 representatives of sectors interested in the exhibition.
The regulatory framework for the organization of Expo 2030 in Rome is governed by various provisions. In May 2022, a Promoting Committee was set up to promote Rome’s candidacy. The committee has formed an Honorary Committee and a Scientific Advisory Committee, which include important institutional and cultural personalities. The promoters of the project include the Council of Ministers, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Lazio Region, Rome Capital, and the Chamber of Commerce.
By the end of 2023, the Italian government will appoint a Commissioner General for Expo 2030 Rome, and an Organizing Committee will be established in the first quarter of 2024. The activities of the Organizing Committee will be regulated by a specific Expo 2030 Law.
Incentives will be provided to participants, including concessions for visas, work, and residence permits. Furthermore, personnel from participating countries will enjoy a special tax regime, with exemption from VAT and income tax.
All the measures adopted will be regulated in a “Headquarters Agreement” between the Italian Government and the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE).
It is important to note that the funds of the National Resilience and Recovery Plan (PNRR) support Italian growth at local and national level. The implementation of these funds is considered a strategic priority.
Finally, a new procurement code has been introduced (Legislative Decree 36/2023) which promotes the digitization of the procurement life cycle and simplifies procedures, allowing rapid completion of construction sites for Expo 2030.
Expo 2030 Rome is designed to transform the Tor Vergata district, enhancing the natural environment and promoting sustainable mobility.
The Expo site will feature extensive use of solar panels, creating the largest solar park in the world.
This advanced energy infrastructure will help achieve strategic environmental sustainability goals, such as carbon neutrality by 2030 and net emissions reductions by 2050. There will also be “solar trees” that will provide electricity, cooling and shade for visitors. The “Vele” sportsplex will be redeveloped and used as a place for physical and virtual meetings.
The All together/Alt together Pavilion, located at the Vele di Calatrava, will be an arena for outdoor events and a thematic pavilion where people will be able to compare dreams and aspirations, both physically and virtually, using technologies such as augmented reality and virtual. Furthermore, the pavilion will allow meetings with people present on the International Space Station, opening up new connection possibilities.
The Masterplan of the Expo 2030 Rome site provides for a subdivision into 3 main areas. The pavilions will be a central element, with exhibition spaces dedicated to the participating countries to express their national identity. There will also be thematic and unofficial pavilions managed by international organizations and partner companies.
The route and transport will be organized around a central boulevard which crosses the site and offers access to all the national pavilions. New transport links will be implemented, such as an extension of Metro C and a green route called Endless Voyage, which will allow visitors to walk or cycle along the ancient Via Appia.
The city area will house all operational elements and the Expo Village, while the park area located on the eastern side will play an active role and contribute to Expo 2030. There will be 4 dedicated theme parks within the park to energy, agriculture, water, and history and time. In particular, the experimental agricultural park (Farmotopia) and the water theme park (Aquaculture) will be innovative and sustainable in the field of food production.
The masterplan envisages a structured and integrated organization of the Expo 2030 Rome site, which will allow optimal use and an engaging experience for visitors.
The text talks about accessibility as a fundamental element in the Expo 2030 Rome project.
Specific initiatives will be taken to counter discrimination and hateful attitudes towards people of different nationalities, LGBTQ+, or people with disabilities. The application of the “Design for all” principles is envisaged during the planning of the exhibition site in order to make it welcoming for all according to shared international standards. Close collaboration will be established with associations dealing with people with disabilities to ensure the implementation of ad hoc initiatives. Awareness initiatives will also be promoted to ensure an event free from prejudice and discrimination. The Italian and European legislation on accessibility and the elimination of architectural barriers will be respected in the Masterplan of Expo 2030 Rome. The legislature will try to go beyond the minimum requirements, ensuring accessibility for all types of visitors, including children, people with visual or hearing impairments, the elderly, and frail people. In addition, digital will be used to offer a virtual experience of the Universal Exposition for those who cannot physically visit the site.
The Expo 2030 Rome Support Program was created by the Italian Republic to ensure a wider and more effective participation of developing countries. The goal of the program is to provide support in the creation of the content of the pavilion and to create an “Open and Collaborative Knowledge Park” between Italian and developing countries’ talents. 1,000 free entrance tickets to Expo 2030 Rome will be guaranteed for each of the assisted countries. In addition, field training programs and student exchanges will be established for young representatives of assisted countries to ensure high-level and meaningful participation. The Expo will also serve as a forum to discuss and promote cooperation for human development and sustainability, through seminars, conferences, and meetings with different organizations and stakeholders.
The legacy of Expo 2030 Rome focuses on the regeneration of urban and rural territories through the connection of local communities. The Tor Vergata district will become an “Open and Collaborative Knowledge Park for Sustainable People and Territories.” The Expo 2030 Rome site wiergata will expand into a complex of research centers, laboratories, universities, businesses, and start-ups surrounded by a green park. After the Expo, new infrastructure will be created for mobility, electricity, water, lighting, fiber connectivity, and the Expo solar system. The Boulevard will also be designed taking into account the post-Expo period, creating a new connection between the University of Tor Vergata and the research centers in the south. Lt will undergo constant transformation to become the new park dedicated to knowledge and sustainability.
The text concerns the legacy of Expo 2030 Rome. The intangible part of the legacy focuses on education and training, with the offer of scholarships and projects on sustainability. An Urban Open Innovation platform will be created to promote digital solutions for the city of the future. The cultural heritage aims to promote cultural heritage and encourage dialogue between actors for the development of the area. Digital connection will boost inclusion and cooperation within communities. The institutional legacy will involve communities as partners in a governance body and will be represented by the proposal for a Charter of Rome. An International Campus will also be created, offering international training, start-up development, and fostering innovation.
This universal campus will become a pole of attraction and innovation in the Mediterranean.
The “Humanlands” campaign seeks to overcome barriers and put humanity at the center, promoting unification rather than division. It focuses on the Alpha generation and encourages sustainability, inclusiveness, multiculturalism, and gender fluidity. Expo 2030 Rome expects a large audience, with over 30 million estimated visitors, of which 59.2% will be Italians and 40.8% foreigners. It is expected that there will be around 167,250 visitors per day on average and 275,000 visitors on the busiest day in 2030. Expo Night will be organized with concerts and events to involve more and more people.
Rome will have a significant economic impact on the area, with an estimated value of € 50.6 billion corresponding to 3.8% of the national GDP, thanks to the creation of 11,000 companies and almost 300,000 jobs.
How the Host Country Will Be Chosen
The host country of World Expo 2030 will be elected by BIE Member States, gathered in the 173rd General Assembly taking place in November 2023, on the principle of one country, one vote.
Three projects will be considered by the General Assembly for the election of the host country of World Expo 2030: the candidatures of Italy (for Rome), the Republic of Korea (for Busan), and Saudi Arabia (for Riyadh).
