Minnesota-USA Expo 2023 Bid and the UN 2030 Agenda
By: Jim Core, Director of the U.S. Department of State’s International Expositions Unit in the Office of the Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs
In an increasingly interconnected world at a time when health science and medical research are a global endeavor, today’s health challenges require collaboration and coordination with a wide variety of global stakeholders. In that spirit, the Minnesota-USA bid to host Expo 2023 is based on the theme of “Healthy People, Healthy Planet.”
Minnesota is uniquely positioned to contribute to this topic because it is one of the world’s most important centers of excellence and innovation in health, medical sciences and the promotion of wellness. The state is home to companies, academic institutions and research centers that are among the top institutions in the world, including America’s top ranked hospital, the Mayo Clinic. Minnesota’s “Medical Alley” is one place in the state where healthcare and technology expertise blend to drive the digital health revolution across the globe. Statewide, 250,000 people work in the health care industry at companies that are at the forefront of clinical care, research, technology, and fitness. Nine of the 18 Fortune 500 companies headquartered in the state are in the health, wellness, and nutrition sector.
As part of its effort to host Expo 2023, the Minnesota World’s Fair Bid Committee organized an international symposium in Paris, France on how to organize the Expo to help countries reach their 2030 Sustainable Development Goal objectives for Goal #3 “Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.” The October 5 symposium featured remarks from experts and officials, including a video from Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus, Director General of the World Health Organization. Much of the discussion at the symposium focused on how to mobilize support at the local and civil society level to support national goals, and how to collaborate at the international level to achieve global goals. Thought leaders from around the world addressed the future of healthcare, and how technology, public policy, and effective partnerships can produce better outcomes. The panelists included:
- Natalie Africa, the UN Foundation
- Thomas Debass, U.S. Department of State
- Sue Stephenson, Impact 2030
- Don Morrison, Smart Cities initiative from Intel Corporation
- Dominik Schneider, Hereaus Medical Components
- Jennifer-Chaves Rubio, the Medtronic Foundation
The expo’s proposed timing in 2023 is a mid-point for countries that wish to take stock and share with others best practices and lessons learned. Expo 2023 in Minnesota is the right theme, at the right time, and in the right location.
U.S. government support for the Minnesota-USA bid to host Expo 2023 is based on our confidence that the proposal is strong both technically and financially, and because we think it would be a great opportunity for countries to present their own innovations to America and each other. We hope to welcome you all to Minnesota in 2023 and ask that you support the U.S. bid at the November 15 General Assembly meeting of the Bureau of International Expositions.
Editor’s Note: This entry originally appeared on DipNote, the U.S. Department of State’s official blog.
