Saudi Arabia has secured the bid to host Expo 2030 in Riyadh by a landslide, beating out Italy’s Rome and the South Korean city of Busan.
Held by Paris’ Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), the Saudi Arabian capital secured 119 votes out of the 165, with Busan securing 29 votes and Rome just 17.
The landslide was met with elation by the Saudi delegation, with the Kingdom’s foreign minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, declaring the vote is “expression of the trust that the international community has in what we have to offer”.
“The legacy of Riyadh Expo 2030 will go beyond the buildings,” he added. “We are about a journey, a journey that brings the world together… So that will be the legacy, working together for a brighter, more prosperous future.”
بالتزامن مع الفوز التاريخي الذي قاده سمو ولي العهد رئيس مجلس الوزراء -حفظه الله- بالإعلان الرسمي عن فوز المملكة باحتضان #الرياض_إكسبو2030؛ سماء العاصمة تزهو الليلة احتفالًا وفخرًا بأناقة وإبهار تليقان بهذه المناسبة، وذلك بتنظيمٍ من @RCRCSA. 🇸🇦#الرياض_اختيار_العالم pic.twitter.com/yMaYAX1uIL
— Riyadh Expo 2030 الرياض إكسبو (@Riyadh_Expo2030) November 28, 2023
The bid for Riyadh Expo 2030 is the next regional win following the revolutionary Dubai Expo 2020, which took place in 2021 due to a delay from COVID-19. Dubai Expo 2020 saw 192 participating countries with pavilions, attracting over 17 million people to the city. From innovation within climate solutions to elevating women across industries, Dubai Expo 2020 didn’t shy away from the important conversations of our time.
As for Saudi Arabia, the win for Riyadh Expo 2030 is a poignant one, as it directly aligns with His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030 for the Kingdom, as was noted by Prince Faisal.
“[It is] in its alignment with our own vision (for) 2030 and everything that we advocate for, which is a shared pathway to prosperity for all of the countries of the world,” he said.
It’s an exciting time for Saudi Arabia with the first Riyadh Fashion Week having just taken place, huge developments for women in the Kingdom, many stars like Cristiano Ronaldo flocking to the country and the upcoming bid to host the men’s 2034 FIFA World Cup.
With limitless growth and creativity, Riyadh Expo 2030 will show new bounds to the world.
Read More: Meet The Most Inspiring Saudi Princesses Who Are Forces For Change In The Kingdom
