Saudi Arabia on road to World Expo 2030

Saudi Arabia submitted the official dossier that forms part of its official bid to host World Expo 2030 in Riyadh.

Fahd Al-Rasheed, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Royal Commission for Riyadh City, submitted on Sept. 7 Riyadh’s detailed plan for the 2030 event.

On Oct. 21, the BIE’s executive committee will meet to discuss the bids for World Expo 2030, including the organization of enquiry missions, scheduled for between January and March 2023.

In late November, candidates will have the opportunity to present their Expo projects to member states during the 171st general assembly of the BIE.

World Expo is a global even tailored to find solutions for the key challenges facing humanity, and it has an unparalleled ability to gather millions of visitors.

Expo 2030 Competing States List Shrinks, Saudi Arabia’s Chances Grow

Initially, five states announced their plans to bid for the global event; namely, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Italy, Ukraine and Russia.

In May, Russia withdrew its candidature to organize World Expo 2030 in Moscow, while Ukraine confirmed its letter of candidature despite the ongoing war with Russia.

Italy previously organized Expo 2015 in Milan and the BIE stipulates that the same country must not be host the Expo within 15 years, competition will likely be confined to Saudi Arabia and South Korea.

Crown Prince: Saudi Arabia Capable, Committed to Highly Innovative, Historic Expo 2030

Saudi Arabia launched, on March 28, a global campaign in its bid to host the World Expo 2030 in Riyadh, during the closing ceremony held at the Kingdom’s pavilion at Dubai Expo 2020.

On Oct. 29, 2021, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman announced that Saudi Arabia submitted an official bid to the BIE to host World Expo 2030. Saudi Arabia’s candidature is for a World Expo in Riyadh between Oct. 1, 2030, and March 31, 2031, under the theme “The Era of Change: Together for a Foresighted Tomorrow”.

Crown Prince noted in his letter to the BIE that the Expo 2030 candidature is an important and symbolic challenge for the Kingdom, while ensuring confidence in its ability and commitment to hold highly innovative and historic event and offer an unparalleled global experience.

The Crown Prince also indicated that allowing some countries to host the Expo for the first time will boost the BIE role as an understanding culture platform, which reflects the changing nature of the constantly developing world.

“The World Expo 2030 will represent an extraordinary opportunity to share with the world our lessons from this unprecedented transformation,” the Crown Prince said.

He also added that hosting of the event will coincide with the culmination of Saudi Vision 2030.

“The Saudi Vision 2030 is a strategic framework to reduce the Kingdom’s dependence on oil, diversify its economy, and develop public service sectors such as health, education, infrastructure, recreation, and tourism.”

“This vision represents the Kingdom’s ambitions for the future; a vision that aims to leverage the boundless energy of its youth to create a sustainable tomorrow for the benefit of future generations – in which all citizens advance their dreams, surpass their hopes, and go beyond their ambitions,” Prince Mohammed said.

Royal Commission for Riyadh City Responsible for Expo 2030 Bid Book

The Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC), which is the authority responsible for the city of Riyadh and is chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, is leading the Saudi bid for World Expo 2030.

Al-Rasheed noted that Riyadh is now one of the world’s fastest-growing cities with 8 million people, and is ranked 46th among the world top economies, with a gross domestic product (GDP) of $200 billion.

About World Expo

The first World Expo – the Great Exhibition – took place in London in 1851.

The most recent World Expo took place in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, between Oct. 1, 2021, and March 31, 2022. The next World Expo will take place in Osaka, Kansai, Japan between April 13 and Oct. 13, 2025.

The Kingdom gained support from around 85 countries in its bid to host Expo 2030 in Riyadh and is expected to gain more support which will increase its opportunities to be declared as the host country.