It’s official: Saudi Arabia will host World Expo 2030

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A light display created using drones after Riyadh won the right to host the 2030 World Expo. (AFP)
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November 28, 2023 10:02 pm
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  • The Kingdom's selection as the host for World Expo 2030 marks a pivotal moment in its journey towards innovation, openness, and global connectivity.
  • This monumental global event in Riyadh will showcase Saudi Arabia's transformation and commitment to a forward-looking and sustainable future.

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia — In a significant announcement at the 173rd Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) General Assembly, Saudi Arabia has been elected as the host country for the World Expo 2030.

In a decisive first round of voting, the Kingdom secured 119 votes, surpassing the Republic of Korea and Italy, who received 29 and 17 votes respectively. With no abstentions recorded, this result marks a clear endorsement of Saudi Arabia’s vision for the World Expo 2030.

Saudi Arabia, presenting its case for Riyadh as the host city, emphasized the themes of opportunity, inclusivity, accessibility, and sustainability. Prince Faisal bin Farhan, the Saudi Foreign Minister, articulated the Kingdom’s commitment at BIE173, stating, “We’ve been sharing our vision for Riyadh Expo 2030 – a reality built on opportunity, inclusivity, accessibility, and sustainability. Our commitment is to deliver on these promises.”

This statement underscores the Kingdom’s dedication to creating an Expo that is not only technologically and culturally advanced but also focused on inclusive and sustainable development.

Hosting Expo 2030 coincides with the culmination of the targets and plans of Saudi Vision 2030, offering a great opportunity to share lessons learned from Saudi Arabia’s unprecedented transformation journey with the world.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud

Saudi Foreign Minister also highlighted the substantial international support for Saudi Arabia’s bid, expressing gratitude to around 130 countries that backed the Kingdom’s proposal. This wide-ranging global support reflects the international community’s confidence in Saudi Arabia’s ability to host a world-class Expo.

Ghida Al Shibl from the Riyadh Expo 2030 team outlined the extensive preparations underway to facilitate participation from countries around the world. These preparations include streamlined processes for imports, visas, and regulations, ensuring a seamless experience for all Expo participants.

Princess Haifa Al Moghrin, the Saudi delegate to the BIE, added to the Kingdom’s presentation by emphasizing the transformative potential of Riyadh Expo 2030. She stated, “With your support, Riyadh Expo 2030 will be a catalyst for creating solutions and forging partnerships that propel human development and advance global goals.” This vision positions the Expo as a platform for addressing key global challenges and advancing development objectives.

Saudi Arabia has been officially announced as the host of World Expo 2030, with a bid themed ‘The Era of Change: Together for a Foresighted Tomorrow,’ chosen over rival bids from South Korea. The awarding of World Expo 2030 to Saudi Arabia was not a stroke of luck or a mere outcome of chance, but the result of years of meticulous planning, visionary leadership, and a commitment to embracing massive change.

The drive to host Expo 2030 stems from Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s ambitious Vision 2030 initiative, which seeks to diversify the country’s economy, lessen its reliance on oil, and foster a more vibrant society through expanded cultural exchange, tourism, and technological advancement opportunities.

In support of its bid, Saudi Arabia embarked on an unprecedented transformational journey, implementing significant social and economic reforms, such as granting women more rights, expanding entertainment and cultural options, and heavily investing in infrastructure development. These reforms were not only vital to winning the bid but also integral to the broader vision of a modern, progressive Saudi Arabia.

Key factors

Key factors contributing to Saudi Arabia’s victory include solid financial support: as one of the world’s wealthiest countries, Saudi Arabia committed substantial financial resources to its bid, including an $8 billion budget for the Expo and a $1 trillion commitment to infrastructure and other Expo-related projects.

Strategic Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia’s capital city, is strategically situated between Europe, Asia, and Africa, making it an ideal venue for an international event like the World Expo.

Unique Theme: The theme ‘The Era of Change: Together for a Forward-Looking Tomorrow’ chosen by Saudi Arabia was deemed both relevant and forward-thinking, resonating strongly with Expo attendees who were impressed by the emphasis on innovation and sustainability.

Effective Campaigning: Saudi Arabia conducted a highly effective campaign for the World Expo, actively lobbying other countries and presenting a compelling case to the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), the overseeing organization for World Expos.

At A Glance

Unprecedented Edition: Riyadh aims to create a unique expo that will serve as a model for future Expos.

Eco-Friendly Exhibition: Commitment to establishing the highest standards of sustainability for the first eco-friendly exhibition.

New Hotel Developments: Plans to add 70,000 new hotel rooms to accommodate visitors.

Financial Support for Developing Countries: $353 million allocated to assist over 100 developing countries in exhibiting.

Support for Participating Countries: 27 projects to support initiatives of countries participating in the Expo.

Collaborative Change Corner (C3): A dedicated area for driving innovation in Saudi Arabia during the 7-year journey to the Expo and beyond.

Location and Infrastructure: The Expo is planned to be built specifically in Riyadh for the event.

Budget and Participation Estimates:
* $7.8 billion budget for the Expo.
* Participation from 246 entities and 179 countries.
* Anticipated 40 million site visits and one billion Metaverse visits.

Expo Dates: It is scheduled from October 1, 2030, to March 31, 2031.

Expo Theme: "The Era of Change: Together for a Foresighted Tomorrow."

Expo 2030 is anticipated to be a landmark event, showcasing cutting-edge technological innovations, sustainability practices, and more. It will offer a global platform for people to engage with diverse cultures and perspectives.

The event’s hosting will attract top innovators, promoting knowledge exchange and collaborations, thereby bolstering local research and development and reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s position as a regional innovation hub.

The Expo’s impact on Saudi Arabia is expected to be profound, boosting the economy, creating jobs, promoting tourism, and enhancing the country’s international image.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud and BIE’s Secretary General Dimitri Kerkentzes at the Palais des Congres in Issy-les-Moulineaux. (AFP)

Expo 2030’s venue near the developing King Salman International Airport, along with the Riyadh Metro network, will ensure easy access. The metro covers all parts of Riyadh city and connects to one of the three exhibition entrances, complemented by a modern road network.

To sum it up, Saudi Arabia’s selection as the host for Expo 2030 marks a significant milestone. It reflects the country’s rising stature and commitment to innovation and sustainability, promising a far-reaching impact both locally and globally.

The Historic Roots of Expo: A Showcase of Innovation
The first edition, "The Great Exhibition," occurred in 1851 in London. It marked the culmination of the Industrial Revolution, displaying the latest technological marvels of the time. Fast forward to the present, and the Expo has evolved into a global platform where nations compete to showcase their achievements, foster cooperation, and address pressing global challenges.

Saudi Arabia's Commitment to Expo 2030: A New Era of Collaboration
Saudi Arabia has demonstrated a profound commitment to creating an exceptional and unprecedented event while filing its bid for Expo 2030. The Kingdom has allocated a substantial US$ 353 million to support over 100 developing countries in participating, highlighting its dedication to inclusivity and global cooperation.

Riyadh Expo 2030: Vision and Innovation
As a host of Expo 2030, Saudi Arabia envisions Riyadh as the focal point, boasting 70,000 new hotel rooms for the exhibition. Engineer Lamia Al-Muhanna, a member of the general plan team, emphasizes the Kingdom's commitment to enabling full and equal participation for all countries. The innovative vision for Riyadh Expo 2030 includes one pavilion for each country, allowing diverse cultural displays and ambitions to take center stage.

Global Collaboration in Construction: Expo as a Catalyst for Development
Riyadh Expo 2030 is not just an exhibition; it's a collaborative endeavor. Local and international companies are invited to participate in its construction and development. Saudi officials also confirmed that the exhibition will be ready before 2030, with world-class pavilions prepared by February 2028. This ambitious timeline underscores the Kingdom's determination to create a platform that benefits everyone.

Beyond Physical Borders: Expo in the Metaverse
In a nod to the future, Expo Riyadh 2030 anticipates over 40 million physical visitors and more than a billion virtual attendees through the metaverse. This innovative approach ensures that the impact of the Expo extends beyond physical borders, fostering global engagement and interaction.

Riyadh's Vision for Expo 2030: A Sustainable Future
For Expo 2030, Riyadh expects to welcome approximately 21.7 million visitors. The Kingdom is actively preparing for this influx by constructing 190,000 new hotel rooms by 2030, doubling the number in the capital to 124,000.
The proposed dates, from October 1, 2030, to March 31, 2031, coincide with ideal climatic conditions, and the theme, "The Era of Change: Moving our planet towards anticipating the future," underscores Saudi Arabia's commitment to sustainable progress.
According to the Kingdom's filed budget, US$ 5.85 bn went toward capital expenditures and $1.47 billion toward operational costs out of a total of US$ 7.3 bn that Saudi Arabia set aside to host the exhibition. An additional US$ 343 Million will be distributed to 100 nations to aid with pavilion building, technology support, and events.
The pavilions accounted for US$ 1.75 bn of the total capital expenditures, the exhibition village and facilities for about US$ 1.45 bn, and US$ 382 Million went toward Riyadh's municipal infrastructure. The remaining US$ 5.46 bn will be invested in the Expo site and its environs.
Items for promotions (US$ 297 million), events (US$ 268 million), and technology (US$ 237 million) made up the bulk of operating expenses, which amounted to around US$ 1.47 bn. The presentation estimates that sales will reach US$ 1.53 bn, which will cover operational costs plus a small increase of approximately US$ 60 million. Estimates put ticket sales of more than US$ 894 million squarely in the spotlight.

(With inputs from Hadeel Karnib, Marcelle Mohamed and TRENDS News Desk)

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