As Europe seeks new spaces for cooperation, Belgrade is entering the final year of preparations for EXPO 2027, an event that could permanently alter the international status of the entire region. With 137 confirmed international participants for the Specialized Exhibition, Serbia is positioning itself as the host of one of the most significant international events of the coming year. The symbolic countdown to the opening at Kalemegdan Fortress—the historical meeting point of East and West—officially marks Belgrade's entry into the final phase of preparations for the largest international event in its modern history under the theme “Play for Humanity: Sport and Music for All.”

The transformation of the new city district in Surčin, which will host the future EXPO, is already visible to visitors coming from Budapest or Central Europe. The EXPO Village and the area for international pavilions are entering the final stages of construction, with key deadlines clearly defined: the handover of pavilions to participating countries is planned for December 2026, followed by the setup and testing phase.

While construction continues in Surčin, the development of program content and coordination of one of the most complex events in the world is happening in parallel. In this context, Belgrade will host some of the largest global tech and innovation forums in the coming years. The arrival of GITEX—one of the most influential tech and startup expos in the world—further positions Serbia on the map of emerging European tech hubs. This sends a clear signal to the international community and particularly to countries in the region that EXPO 2027 is not just an opportunity for the development of one country, but for the entire Western Balkans and neighboring states. From a business opportunity and economic development perspective, this is an opportunity that cannot be missed.

Significant international attention has also been drawn to the EXPO 2027 mascots, Rastko and Milica, first introduced at EXPO 2025 in Osaka. Inspired by a blend of Serbian tradition and contemporary culture, these "superheroes of play" carry a clear message: creativity, music, and sport have no boundaries.

Volunteering for major international events has always been seen as a unique form of prestige and an exceptional experience for young people around the world. Therefore, the organizers of EXPO 2027 expect about 20,000 volunteers from Serbia and abroad to participate during the exhibition, which will be the largest volunteer program in the country's history.

Applications for all adults over 18 will be open from May 15 through the official online platform of EXPO 2027. The program will also be accessible to international volunteers, with the aim of giving young people from the region and the world the opportunity to gain experience working on one of the largest international events in Europe.

During the 93 days of EXPO 2027, over four million visitors are expected, and the program will include more than 8,000 events—from large concerts and sports performances to scientific forums, creative workshops, and national presentations by participating countries. Even now, on the eve of EXPO 2027, Belgrade is increasingly adopting the rhythm of major international events through concerts by Eros Ramazzotti, Lenny Kravitz, and Deep Purple, which give a glimpse of the content that visitors to EXPO can expect.

For the first time, an event of this scale is coming to Southeastern Europe, carrying the potential to permanently change how the world perceives this part of the continent. At a time when Europe seeks new points of connection, Belgrade is aiming to position itself at the intersection of technology, culture, business, and international dialogue. The coming year will show whether the region can capitalize on this rare opportunity—to move from the periphery of the continent to the center of international attention.