Surpassing South Korea’s port city of Busan and Rome in Italy, Saudi Arabia has successfully secured the privilege of hosting the Riyadh Expo 2030 World Fair.
This significant achievement marks a pivotal milestone in Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s ambitious Vision 2030 program, dedicated to diversifying the nation’s economy and reducing its reliance on oil through transformative initiatives like Neom and the Red Sea Project.
Riyadh emerged victorious, garnering 119 votes against Busan’s 29 and Rome’s 17 among the 182 members of the Paris-based Bureau International des Expositions (BIE).
Set between October 2030 and March 2031, Riyadh Expo 2030 aims to continue the momentum created by Dubai’s Expo 2020 and COP28 hosting.
To enhance accessibility, the ‘most connected Expo ever’ promises swift travel for visitors landing at the new King Salman airport, located just five minutes away from the site by train and metro connection from Riyadh. The airport is currently undergoing development.
Themed “The Era of Change: Together for a Foresighted Tomorrow,” Riyadh Expo 2030 will focus on critical global issues such as climate change, sustainability, collaboration, and transformation. Encompassing approximately seven square kilometers in an ‘almost’ round shape, the Expo site will feature a ‘loop of the world’ avenue connecting over 200 pavilions. The design, inspired by the kingdom’s aspirations for global unity and inclusivity, reflects Saudi Arabia’s commitment to sharing its transformative journey with nations of all sizes.
Anticipating 40 million site visits, 1 billion metaverse visits, and the participation of 246 country pavilions, international organizations, and non-official participants, the Riyadh Expo is set to deliver impressive and diverse engagement.