2.1

Universal Exhibitions

2 Expos: Expo 1992 Seville and Expo 2000 Hannover.

ORIGIN

The 1972 Protocol, signed November 30, 1972, and in force since June 9, 1980, replaced the general exhibitions of the first and second categories with universal exhibitions.

FREQUENCY

An interval of 10 years between universal exhibitions.

TRANSITION

Expo 2000 Hannover opened after the 1988 amendment entered into force but kept the 1972 rules, because its candidacy began under them.

2.2

Specialized Exhibitions

12 Expos, from Expo 1981 Plovdiv to Expo 2005 Aichi.

ORIGIN

The 1972 Protocol, signed November 30, 1972, and in force since June 9, 1980, redefined special exhibitions as specialized exhibitions.

DURATION, SIZE AND FREQUENCY

Up to six months, with no limit on the size of the site. At least two years apart, barring exceptions allowed by the BIE.

TRANSITION

Expo 1998 Lisbon and Expo 2005 Aichi opened after the 1988 amendment entered into force but kept the 1972 rules, because their candidacies began under them. Japan applied for Expo 2005 Aichi on April 18, 1996, three months before the amendment took effect, and the BIE registered it as a specialized exhibition. Its six-month run and its year ending in 5 match the registered exhibitions that followed, so it is sometimes counted as the first of them.