Mayor of Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Tunç Soyerİzmir's application to host the world's most important International Horticultural EXPO in 2026 was approved. The EXPO area to be established in Pınarbaşı will host the fair visitors for six months, after which it will be brought to İzmir as a living city park.
Mayor of Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Tunç SoyerThe announcement that İzmir will host the 550 EXPO at the meeting at the Ahmed Adnan Saygun Art Center, where he evaluated his 2026-day mandate, created great excitement in the city. Emphasizing the importance of the Botanical EXPO in 2026 for İzmir, Soyer said, “While the Botanic EXPO ignites the ornamental plants sector in our city, it will contribute greatly to both the development and international recognition of İzmir. Botanic EXPO will be an important milestone on the way to the 2030 World EXPO”.
EXPO area in Pınarbaşı will be a center of attraction
Izmir's hosting of EXPO 2026 was unanimously accepted at the General Assembly of the International Horticultural Producers Association (AIPH) as a result of long-standing contacts. It is predicted that 1 million 31 thousand people will visit the International Horticulture EXPO, which will be held between 2026 May and 4 October 700 with the main theme of "Living in Harmony".
EXPO 2026, which will open the door of international trade for all producers in the sector from seed to tree, will also increase İzmir's awareness in the world. The fair area to be built on 25 hectares in Pınarbaşı will be an important center of attraction where thematic exhibitions, world gardens, art, culture, food and other activities will be held. While the area welcomes its guests with its gardens and activities during the 6-month EXPO, it will be brought to Izmir as a living city park afterwards. Izmir Metropolitan Municipality plans to immediately start the works to prepare Izmir for EXPO 2026 together with IZFAS.
"It will be used as the exhibition area of three plant continents"
EXPO 2026 will be the lifeblood of plant producers in Izmir and Turkey, and will showcase the industry on an international scale. Stating that İzmir ranks first in the field of ornamental plants, shrub group plants and ground cover plants in Turkey, the President Tunç Soyer“Our city has a very important place in the export of ornamental plants as well as its production potential. So much so that, with the added value and employment created by the sector, İzmir makes a significant contribution to both the producers in our city and the country's economy. Turkey is a country located at the intersection of three plant geographies. At EXPO 2026, we aim to draw attention to the harmony of different and opposite lives in nature, especially in the Anatolian geography.”
Soyer, EXPO explained the work to be done for 2026: "EXPO area, seen in Turkey and also covers a significant portion of the world area Europe Siberian deciduous Forests, Mediterranean maquis and will be used as of display of three plants in the continent such as Iran Turan Prairies. All three plant continents are the homeland of many plants that guide world civilization. The three plant landscape areas will include major thematic areas discussed globally, such as the history of ornamental and agricultural plants, seed resilience, climate resilience and the future of plants. We are planning to organize various activities that will increase social awareness such as training and awareness studies on these issues.
The thinker from Urla will be devoted to Anaxagoras
Plants such as olives, wheat, almonds, pears, plums and cherries that spread out from this geography and spread to the world under the theme of "The History of Ornamental and Agricultural Plants" will be examined at Izmir EXPO 2026. On the other hand, it is aimed to invest in the reproduction of the plant species living in these lands until EXPO 2026 and to introduce new ornamental plants to the world.
The theme of "Seed Resilience" will be dedicated to the Urla philosopher Anaxagoras, who first described the seed as an essence. Under this theme, innovative projects on how seeds from the past, defined as "ancestry", should be protected in the global system will be included. The seeds will be displayed in a display area that will be made in the form of Noah's Ark.
Areas showing the relationship of flavors with plant geographies
The third theme considered for EXPO 2026 is "Climate Resilience." Under this theme, climate-friendly, horizontal and vertical landscaping examples of the future of plants and landscaping will be discussed and exhibited at the EXPO. It is planned to present application examples of basic approaches such as sustainable gardens, specific design techniques and food gardens under the title of "The Future of Landscape Design".
In the exhibition sections of EXPO 2026, there will also be areas showing the different tastes of İzmir and the gastronomic richness of Anatolia and the relationship of these flavors with plant geographies. In addition, gastronomic riches from all over the world will be displayed in the gardens of the participating countries.
Work on the area where EXPO will be held is started immediately. Transportation and all other infrastructure works in the region are planned to be completed by 2026. It will be possible to reach the area by rail and road. The EXPO area, which will host its guests for 6 months with its gardens and activities, will then remain open to visitors as a living city park.
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