The 2026 Yeosu World Island Fair wrapped up its historic 61-day journey, highlighting the potential of islands as future hubs for tourism, culture, and clean energy, though organizers note several post-event challenges to address.

The inaugural 2026 Yeosu World Island Fair officially drew to a close with a grand closing ceremony illuminated by fireworks over the Yeosu night sea.

Hosted by the 2026 Yeosu World Island Fair Organizing Committee, the closing ceremony took place on the evening of November 4 at the main stage in the Dolsan Jinmo District, Yeosu.

Despite initial controversies and early struggles, the fair recorded a cumulative total of 2,500,594 visitors as of November 3—achieving roughly 84% of its original target and marking a notable milestone for the world's first-ever island-themed exposition.

Achievements and Lingering Challenges

While the event successfully introduced the global community to the unique heritage, culture, and ecological importance of islands, experts emphasize the need for a rigorous, objective evaluation of whether it fully captured the unprecedented concept of a "world island fair."

Moving forward, organizers face several unresolved tasks, including:

Reviewing ticket sales performance and cost-effectiveness.
Resolving financial and settlement disputes among participating contractors.
Developing sustainable, practical strategies for utilizing the fairgrounds post-event.

Closing Ceremony and Future Commitments

The closing ceremony brought together some 3,000 attendees, including three co-chairpersons—Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special Mayor Min Hyung-bae, Yeosu Mayor Seo Young-hak, and Organizing Committee Chairman Park Soo-gwan—alongside local citizens and volunteers.

The event kicked off with vibrant performances by the Jackpot Crew, followed by a special rally supporting Yeosu’s bid to host the 33rd UN Climate Change Conference (COP33).

"We extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who visited the fair," said Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special Mayor Min Hyung-bae. "For the first time, we created a space where people worldwide could gather to share the history and culture of islands, while exploring their future in the face of climate change and the potential of future energy derived from the sea, wind, and sunlight."
Organizing Committee Chairman Park Soo-gwan remarked, "As this was a pioneering event, there were bound to be numerous discussions and trial-and-error moments. Although the festival ends today, we hope Yeosu will continue to serve as a central, world-class tourism landmark opening a new era for the southern coast."

The Yeosu Island Declaration

During the ceremony, participants collectively recited the "Yeosu Island Declaration," committing to five core principles:

*Preserving island ecosystems, nature, and culture.                                                             *Cooperating jointly to tackle island vulnerabilities caused by climate change.
*Enhancing the health, safety, and quality of life for island residents.
*Pursuing sustainable development that balances environmental preservation with regional growth.
*Urging international cooperation to designate "World Island Day" as an official UN international commemoration.

Yeosu Mayor Seo Young-hak credited the event's resilience to local solidarity. "The greatest takeaway from this fair was the power of our citizens," he said. "From the 2012 Yeosu Expo to the 2026 World Island Fair, and now toward COP33, we have confirmed that there is nothing our citizens cannot achieve together."

He added, "Through the World Island Cities Conference and the International Island Forum, we have strengthened global partnerships and plan to collaborate internationally to establish 'World Island Day.' We will do our utmost to ensure the fair's success translates into lasting growth for our tourism, MICE, and cultural industries."

The evening concluded with festive performances by the Yeosu Municipal Traditional Orchestra, the Yeosu Municipal Choir, and singer Han Soo-jung, followed by a spectacular fireworks display that lit up the Yeosu night sky.

The 2026 Yeosu World Island Fair, themed "Connecting Islands, the Sea, and the Future," ran for 61 days from September 5 to November 4 across the Dolsan Jinmo District, the Yeosu World Expo venue, and the islands of Gaedo and Geumodo.

[ⓒ Global Economic Times. 무단전재-재배포 금지]