-By Serbia’s Commissioner General
Belgrade, Serbia – There’s an old saying: a prophet is not honored in their own land. For Ambassador Queen Juli Endee, this sentiment rings true—but it hasn’t stopped her from making Liberia proud on the international stage. At the just-ended International Participants Meeting (IPM) for Expo 2027 in Belgrade, Serbia, Ambassador Endee once again raised the Lone Star high, winning admiration and accolades for her impactful presence and passionate advocacy.
During the high-level engagements, Ambassador Endee met with Mr. Dušan Borovčanin, CEO of the Specialized Expo 2027 Belgrade, and Mrs. Marta A. Tomovska, Commissioner General of the upcoming Specialized Expo 2027 Belgrade, Serbia. A key focus of their discussion was the inclusion and significance of a Women’s Pavilion at Expo 2027. Ambassador Endee passionately emphasized the need for women’s representation and leadership at the global event—an idea warmly embraced by the Serbian hosts.
Mr. Borovčanin highlighted Serbia’s commitment to gender equality, a principle reflected in the Expo’s leadership structure, where women are visibly steering major departments and initiatives. Inspired by this synergy, a roundtable meeting was arranged between Ambassador Endee and the Secretary General of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), Mr. Dimitri S. Kerkentzes. During the session, Mr. Kerkentzes acknowledged the Ambassador’s proposal and confirmed that it was being taken into active consideration. He also expressed interest in collaborating with her to bring the Women’s Pavilion to life.
As Ambassador Endee addressed the room full of global delegates, her words resonated with powerful impact. Applause filled the venue, and many rose to their feet in admiration, celebrating her as a true trailblazer. Voices rang out from the crowd—“Queen Ambassador Endee! The Queen of the Women’s Movement!”—a moment that was captured live and is now trending on YouTube and across Expo 2027 Belgrade’s social media platforms.
The standing ovation, led by both men and women, echoed far beyond the room, resonating across continents and affirming her influence as a leading voice in the women’s movement at Expo 2027. She was later named the “Queen of the IPM” by Mrs. Marta A. Tomovska, Commissioner General of the Specialized Expo 2027 Belgrade.
Her impact didn’t stop there. Ambassador Endee was featured on Belgrade International TV and on the official Expo 2027 TikTok page, where she shared her thoughts, her experience at the IPM, and what Liberia is preparing to bring to the table at the upcoming Expo.
Ambassador Endee also seized the opportunity to engage in conversations about Liberia’s participation in Expo 2027, focusing on cultural exchange and diplomacy as tools to build a world where children can laugh, play, and grow in peace.
Expo 2027 Belgrade, themed “Play for Humanity – Sport and Music for All,” will take place from May 15 to August 15, 2027, making it the first World Expo ever hosted in the Western Balkans. The theme focuses on the power of sport and music to promote peace, unity, and sustainable development. The event is expected to attract over 150 participating countries and millions of visitors, offering a platform for global collaboration, innovation, and the exchange of economic and cultural diplomacy through a gender lens with women’s participation.
She extended heartfelt gratitude to the President of the Republic of Liberia, H.E. Joseph Nyuma Boakai, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Sara Beysolow Nyanti, for their steadfast leadership and support in empowering Liberia’s global image and soft diplomacy.
On another note, invitations for speakers and participants will be sent out next week for the International Women’s Forum at Expo 2025 Osaka, Japan.
