The city of Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, has been selected as the host city for the 2030 World Expo

On Tuesday, Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, was selected to host the 2030 World Expo. This decision was made following Riyadh’s bid, which emphasized the creation of a prosperous and sustainable future. Riyadh won over Rome and Busan, a South Korean port city, in a vote that saw it receive a majority of 119 out of 165 votes. The vote, which took place during a private meeting in Issy-les-Moulineaux, a suburb of Paris, resulted in Busan receiving 29 votes and Rome 17. The Saudi delegation celebrated the outcome with cheers.

Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister, expressed gratitude for the international community’s trust in Saudi Arabia’s vision and its commitment to a shared path to prosperity. He assured that Saudi Arabia would meet the expectations set for the expo, which is planned to feature innovative public transport networks, a futuristic round space with public parks, e-gaming facilities, performance stages, sports venues, and a focus on innovations that preserve natural ecosystems. Prince Faisal emphasized that the Expo’s legacy would extend beyond architecture, fostering global collaboration for a brighter future.

The Expo is expected to attract 40 million visitors to Riyadh. In the lead-up to the decision, each contender city intensified its campaign efforts. Saudi Arabia’s bid included a marketing campaign in Paris and support from French President Emmanuel Macron. However, the bid faced criticism from activists over human rights concerns, including the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Despite these concerns, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman highlighted the Expo as an opportunity to progress his development plans. Saudi Arabia intends to invest $7.8 billion in constructing the Expo site, following Dubai’s example, which hosted the 2020 Expo and is now using its site for the UN’s COP28 climate talks.

Rome’s bid featured actor Russell Crowe and plans for the world’s largest urban solar park and a green corridor linking the Expo site to historic landmarks. Meanwhile, Busan showcased its high-tech aspirations, with endorsements from cultural icons like Psy and BTS, focusing on advancements in AI and 6G technology.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol congratulated Saudi Arabia while expressing regret for Busan’s unsuccessful bid. The World Expo, with a history dating back to 1851, is a platform for nations to exhibit technological and cultural achievements. It has introduced innovations like the light bulb and the Eiffel Tower and serves as an opportunity for host cities to boost economic growth and global recognition. These events, which generally occur every five years, will next be held in Osaka, Japan, in 2025.