Saudi Arabia has been selected to host the World Expo 2030 in Riyadh, winning the bid over competitors Busan in South Korea and Rome in Italy.
During the 173rd general assembly of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) in Paris, Riyadh’s candidacy received the endorsement of 119 countries, as reported by the state-run Saudi Press Agency.
Scheduled to run from October 1, 2030, to March 31, 2031, the World Expo in Riyadh will carry the theme “The Era of Change: Together for a Foresighted Tomorrow.”
Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman expressed pride in Saudi Arabia’s selection, stating, “Saudi Arabia has become an ideal destination for hosting major international events, including the esteemed World Expo.”
Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullahe announced that the kingdom has allocated $348 million to support the participation of 100 eligible countries in the expo.
The BIE delegation visited Riyadh in March to assess the city’s readiness to host the event, reviewing detailed presentations of the project and meeting with officials and stakeholders involved in the candidacy process.
Saudi Arabia’s participation in previous expos, such as the World Expo 2000 in Hanover, Germany, through the Islam Pavilion, has been notable. The kingdom’s pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai attracted over 4.8 million visitors, making it one of the most visited pavilions at the exhibition.
The next World Expo, Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai, Japan, is scheduled to take place from April 13 to October 13, 2025, with the theme “Designing Future Society for Our Lives.”
