From July 13 to 14, 2025, Dimitri S. Kerkentzes, Secretary General of the International Exhibitions Bureau (BIE) visited Shanghai.

　　On the morning of July 14, Secretary General Kerkentzes visited the World Expo Museum. Gu Honghui, Chinese Chairman of the World Expo Museum Council and Counselor of the Shanghai Municipal Government, held a working meeting with Secretary General Kerkentzes. Also in attendance were Jin Lei, Deputy Director of the Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism; Chen Kele, Director of the International Exchange Division of the Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism; Liu Wentao, Director of the World Expo Museum; Melchor Martiñón, Advisor to the Secretary General of BIE; and Sara Caloshiro, Protocol Officer of BIE.

The participating guests group photo.

　　The World Expo Museum, jointly established by the Shanghai Municipal Government and the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), is the only official museum of the BIE. Both Chinese and international parties attach great importance to this collaborative project and have formed theWorld Expo Museum Councilas a standing mechanism for communication and cooperation.

　　Recently, with approval from higher authorities,Mr. Gu Honghui, Counselor of the Shanghai Municipal Government, has been appointed as theChinese Chairman of the World Expo Museum Council.

　　During the meeting,Chairman Gu Honghuiwelcomed Secretary GeneralDimitri Kerkentzeson his first visit to Shanghai in nearly six years, stating that this would positively advance the museum’s next phase of development.Deputy Director Jin Leibriefed the Secretary General on Shanghai’s thriving cultural and tourism integration and expressed support for the museum’s future participation in international Expo initiatives.

　　The two sides discussed and reached strong consensus on matters including theCouncil’s leadership transition, continued participation in future World Expos, and enhancing the museum’sglobal influence. They look forward to further elevating the museum’s international standing through joint efforts.

Sino-international meeting

　　Prior to the meeting, following Mr. Kerkentzes' arrival in Shanghai on the evening of July 13,Xiang Yihai, Deputy Director of the Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism, also held working discussions with the BIE delegation.

　　On the afternoon of July 14,Shanghai Vice Mayor Liu Duomet with Secretary General Kerkentzes and his delegation at the municipal government. Vice Mayor Liu briefed them on Shanghai's socio-economic development and expressed the city's willingness tostrengthen exchanges and cooperationwith the BIE. She reaffirmed Shanghai's support for theWorld Expo Museum's participation in the next World Expoand deeper involvement in theglobal Expo community, contributing to the advancement of the Expo cause.

　　During their visit to the World Expo Museum,Secretary-General Kerkentzes and his delegation touredthe ongoing exhibition"The Greeks: Agamemnon to Alexander the Great"

　　During his visit to Shanghai, the Secretary General and his delegation also inspected the post-development and utilization of the former World Expo Pudong site, including visits to landmark projects such as theExpo Culture Park. The tour was accompanied by representatives fromShanghai Real Estate Group.