Brazil Moves to Reintegrate into Bureau International des Expositions with Voting Rights Restoration
Brazil's legislature approved a protocol ratification to restore BIE voting rights, enabling future international expo participation and bids.
- • Brazil approved PDL 359/2024 to ratify a protocol amending the 1928 Paris Convention.
- • Brazil's voting rights at the BIE have been suspended since 2015 due to unpaid dues.
- • Ratification will allow Brazil to settle debts and enable cities to bid for future expos.
- • The proposal has passed committees and will proceed to the Plenary and Senate.
Key details
On October 23, 2025, the Brazilian Câmara dos Deputados approved Project of Legislative Decree (PDL) 359/2024, signaling Brazil's formal move to ratify a protocol amending the 1928 Paris Convention on International Exhibitions. This decisive step aims to restore Brazil's voting rights at the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), which have been suspended since 2015 due to unpaid financial contributions and parliamentary delays.
Deputy Ricardo Ayres (Republicanos-TO), rapporteur of the bill, emphasized that the approval allows Brazil to settle its debts with the BIE and enables Brazilian cities to submit bids to host future international exhibitions. The Paris Convention, originally established in 1928, sets the framework for organizing and participating countries in global expos; the 1972 protocol, which Brazil seeks to ratify, updates these rules by consolidating amendments related to event classification, timing, and host obligations.
Although Brazil has faced suspension of voting rights since 2015, the country participated in recent expositions such as Expo Milan (2015) and Expo Dubai (2020). Reforming its standing with the BIE not only reinstates diplomatic participation but also opens avenues for tourism growth, business expansion, and international cooperation.
The legislative proposal has passed several congressional committees and is poised to advance to the Plenary and Senate for final approval. Notably, the project includes a correction in the protocol's translation from "supplementary" to "replace," aligning with the original French text, showcasing attention to detail in Brazil's commitment to international treaty standards.