Washington, DC - Deputy Secretary of State, John Sullivan, will address representatives from the diplomatic corps at a reception in support of the United States’ bid to host the 2023 World’s Fair on Thursday, at 4:30 pm. Mark Ritchie, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Minnesota World’s Fair Bid Committee, will also deliver short remarks. This event will take place at the U.S. Diplomacy Center Pavilion on the 21st Street side of the U.S. Department of State.

The United States is one of three countries competing to host the 2022/2023 World’s Fair. Minnesota’s proposed three-month specialized exposition would take place between May and August 2023 under the banner “Healthy People, Healthy Planet” with a focus on health, wellness, and medical technology. The member states of the Bureau of International Expositions, an international organization based in Paris, will select the host city during its General Assembly on November 15. The United States is once again a member of the Bureau of International Expositions following the passage of legislation signed by President Trump on May 8, 2017 (P.L. 115-32).