[By NBC-1TV E. H Kim]Several of Russia’s leading government officials, including Georgy Kalamanov, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation and Evgeniy Kuyvashev, Governor of the Sverdlovsk region, gathered in Paris this week for the 151st General Assembly of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE). During their visit, officials of the Ekaterinburg World Expo 2020 Bid Committee presented a dynamic, forward-looking plan for making Expo 2020 a reality.

Kalamanov visited Korea last month where he met with delegation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade Republic of Korea, headed by the Director of European Department, Lee Uk Khon and toured the International Exposition Yeosu Korea 2012. Kalamanov has plans to return to Yeosu next week: June 20 marks “Russia Day” at this year’s Exposition, and he will be a part of the festivities. A series of visits to Expo Town and supporting facilities are scheduled.

During the General Assembly presentation in Paris, the Ekaterinburg Bid Committee provided details about the bid’s theme, “The Global Mind: The Future of Globalization and its Impact on our World” through a multimedia presentation, including a dynamic and colorful video showcasing the diversity of Ekaterinburg. The team also shared details about the selected site for the Expo 2020 in Ekaterinburg.

“In today’s Russia, we are increasingly interconnected with the world not only through politics, business and investment, but also science and culture thanks to a global convergence. We therefore think it’s very timely to host a conversation about the importance of globalization during World Expo 2020.”

A portion of the World Expo 2020 Bid Campaign presentation to the General Assembly in Paris also included discussion about the host city of Ekaterinburg. As Russia’s fourth largest city, Ekaterinburg is situated in the Ural Mountains at the border between Asia and Europe and is fast becoming an emerging intellectual center as well as a capital of education and youth culture. It is also Russia’s most important scientific, technological and educational center, home to 45 universities and 20 academic research institutes.

“With a distinctive focus on education and youth culture, Ekaterinburg captures the spirit of modern Russia and is uniquely suited for Expo 2020 and the theme of ‘The Global Mind’,” said Mr. Kuyvashev. “Converging ideas combined with the fast-paced transformation that globalization brings are evident in the universities, businesses and people of Ekaterinburg – it’s the essence of a new Russia coming on to the world stage. Globalization is a timely theme and our vision for Expo 2020 is to bring this conversation to the modern platform that is Ekaterinburg.”