Belgrade, May 11, 2026 — Jagoda Lazarević, Serbia’s Minister of Domestic and Foreign Trade and Commissioner for Expo 2027, Sarah B. Rogers, U.S. Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy at the State Department, and Danilo Jerinić, Director of Expo 2027 Belgrade, signed today the official Participation Agreement confirming the United States’ presence at the specialized international exhibition in Belgrade.
The agreement was signed at the Expo Playground venue, officially opening the door for the operational phase of the U.S. appearance as an official participant at Expo 2027.
A Large American Pavilion and New Opportunities
“The United States will have a large pavilion in a wonderful location, and based on what previous world exhibitions have shown, I believe it will make an important contribution to what we in Serbia see as a major development opportunity—not only for Belgrade and Serbia, but for the entire region,” Minister Jagoda Lazarević said. 
She also emphasized the economic importance of the cooperation:
“We look forward to working together, not only through the presentation that the United States will have at its national pavilion, but also through the business segment. That is especially important to us because we truly want to open the door for American companies, and I believe this can be an exceptional opportunity for them to come and see everything the region has to offer.”
Washington’s Message and Shared Values
Sarah B. Rogers stated that every Expo represents an opportunity to inspire a global audience and promote American interests.
“I cannot imagine a greater asset on our side in that effort than American companies that enjoy investing here, employing people from Serbia, and are excited about participating in this Expo,” she said.
She added that Expo provides an opportunity to engage and inspire a global audience while promoting the economic and commercial interests of the United States, which, as she noted, is in the mutual interest of both countries.
“We are excited about the partnerships already announced with American companies, including Cisco and Archer Aviation, and we look forward to announcing many, many more collaborations as Expo approaches,” Rogers emphasized.
Historical Ties Between Serbia and the United States
Expo 2027 Director Danilo Jerinić highlighted the historic relationship between the two countries:
“Serbia and the United States are connected by a long and rich history. Diplomatic relations between our countries were established back in 1881. When speaking about the ties between our peoples, it is impossible not to mention Nikola Tesla and Mihajlo Pupin, great scientists of Serbian origin whose work in America changed the world. Their legacy continues to serve as a powerful bridge connecting our two countries,” Jerinić said.
He added that signing this agreement does not simply represent another country joining Expo 2027, but rather the participation of a global leader in science, technology, innovation, and education—a country where some of the world’s largest companies were created and whose universities rank among the most prestigious in the world.
“That is precisely why the participation of the United States is of exceptional importance for Expo 2027. America brings a spirit of innovation that has transformed the world—from the first technological revolutions to today’s artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and space exploration. Expo 2027 will be a place where the world discusses the future, but also where people build new partnerships, friendships, and shared ideas,” Jerinić stressed.
EXPO 2027 as a Major Success for the Organizers
EXPO 2027 in Belgrade will be held from May 15 to August 15, 2027, under the slogan “Play for Humanity: Sport and Music for All.” More than 130 countries have already confirmed their participation, and the arrival of the United States with a large pavilion represents one of the most significant successes for the organizers.
Photo: Dragan Kujundžić
