Saudi Arabia wins bid to host World Expo in 2030

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Saudi Arabia has won the bid to host the World Expo 2030 in Riyadh.

The decision was announced on November 28 by the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), which named the kingdom as the host for the global event, scheduled to take place from October 2030 until March 2031, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince, and Prime Minister, extended his congratulations to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud to mark the landmark occasion.

The Crown Prince said: “The kingdom’s selection as the host of the World Expo 2030 underlines its influential and leading role and the international confidence it enjoys. Saudi Arabia has become an ideal destination for hosting major international events, including the esteemed World Expo.

“The World Expo 2030 coincides with a crucial year for the realisation of the goals and plans outlined in Saudi Vision 2030.

“This Expo represents a remarkable opportunity to share with the world the lessons learned from our unprecedented journey of transformation.”

Tonight, Riyadh’s sky is full of celebration lights for the historic achievement announced by HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, on Riyadh’s victory to host the World Expo in 2030, following a successful candidacy bid led by @RCRCSA. ??#RiyadhTheWorldsChoice… pic.twitter.com/49xdURrUVi

— Riyadh Expo 2030 الرياض إكسبو (@Riyadh_Expo2030) November 29, 2023

The Crown Prince stressed Riyadh’s readiness to welcome the world at Expo 2030, and the fact that it will fulfill the obligations stipulated in the bid with the aim of achieving the main theme of the expo, “The Era of Change: Together for a Foresighted Tomorrow”, and its sub-topics: “A Different Tomorrow”, “Climate Action”, and “Prosperity for All”, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

World Expo 2030: Saudi Arabia received 119 votes from member states

BIE announced that the kingdom would be hosting the exhibition after a secret ballot was cast during the 173rd General Assembly of BIE in Paris.

Saudi Arabia’s bid received 119 votes from member states.

The two other cities in the running included Busan, Korea, and Rome, Italy.

Held since 1851, World Expos promote international cooperation in economic development, trade, arts and culture, and highlight advances in science and technology.

The last World Expo was held in Dubai.

The mega event, which ended on March 31, 2022, convened 192 countries and millions of visitors from across the world.

Osaka, Japan, which will host the next expo in 2025.