Slovakia used this week’s Second International Participants Meeting (IPM) for Expo 2027 Belgrade to deepen engagement with the United States and other international partners ahead of next year’s event. A key part of the three-day visit to Serbia was a working meeting between Lukáš Parízek, Commissioner General of the Slovak Republic for Expo 2027 Belgrade, and Leslee Michelsen, Director of International Expositions at the U.S. Department of State.
Their talks focused on expanding Slovak-American cooperation in the lead-up to Expo 2027, including private-sector engagement, potential partnerships, and ways to use the Expo platform to boost nation branding, commercial visibility, and international outreach. The meeting in Belgrade followed Slovakia’s previous diplomatic efforts in Washington. Earlier this year, Lukáš Parízek met with his counterpart Gavin Wax, U.S. Commissioner General for EXPO 2027 and Chief of Staff to the Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs. Working meeting in Washington focused on public diplomacy and the strategic value of Expo 2027 as a platform for international cooperation and national promotion.
“Expo 2027 Belgrade is not only an opportunity to present Slovakia to the world, but also to build practical partnerships with close allies and like-minded countries, including the United States. Our goal is to ensure that Expo creates real value for business, tourism, innovation, and the international profile of our country,” Parízek stated.
During the IPM in Belgrade, Slovakia also officially unveiled the identity of its national exposition under the theme “Slovakia – Playground of Opportunities,” presenting the country as a modern, innovative, and investment-ready destination where “Play Becomes an Opportunity.” The concept is aligned with the official Expo theme, “Play for Humanity – Sport and Music for All,” and presents playful curiosity as a driver of innovation, resilience, talent, and human connection.
“Here in Belgrade, we are presenting Slovakia as a dynamic space where playful curiosity is a tool for progress, innovation, and human development, and where play transforms into tangible innovations, social resilience, and meaningful connections,” Parízek concluded.
The Slovak delegation also held coordination meetings with partners and neighboring participants in Hall 6, along with bilateral talks with several other countries. The goal was to identify program synergies, strengthen institutional ties, and lay the groundwork for practical cooperation before the Expo opens next year.
Slovakia was the first country to officially sign the EXPO participation agreement with the organizers in Serbia. Its presence at Expo 2027 is designed to advance long-term goals in economic diplomacy, tourism promotion, nation branding, and international cooperation. The Slovak pavilion will be built around four strategic pillars: next generation business, tourism, culture, and sport. SLOVAKIA TRAVEL is responsible for the preparation and implementation of the national exposition and for coordinating Slovakia’s presentation in cooperation with public and private sector partners.
As the first world exhibition ever held in the Western Balkans, Expo 2027 Belgrade offers participating countries a major platform to raise their global profile, promote trade and investment, showcase innovation, and deepen diplomatic and commercial ties.
