Saudi bid to host World Expo 2030 in Riyadh envisions a forum reflecting sustainability and global diversity

Short Url
Updated 23 November 2023
Follow

Saudi bid to host World Expo 2030 in Riyadh envisions a forum reflecting sustainability and global diversity

  • High-level Saudi delegation addressed General Assembly of Bureau International des Expositions in Paris
  • Delivering expo that reflects transition to sustainable and more equal future described as strategic priority

PARIS: Saudi Arabia’s location as a “bridge connecting north, south, east and west” means it could host a “truly inclusive” World Expo, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, the Saudi foreign minister, told the 172nd General Assembly of the Bureau International des Expositions in Paris on Tuesday.

Speaking as part of a high-level Saudi delegation deployed to the French capital this week to present the Kingdom’s plan for Riyadh Expo 2030, Prince Faisal said the city could provide a forum that would reflect global diversity and the world’s move towards a sustainable future. 

“It is a strategic priority for the Kingdom to deliver an expo built by the world, for the world, an expo which recognizes global diversity, and we seek the opportunity to organize an expo that continues the legacy of international exhibitions at a time when the international community seeks to prepare for a transition to a sustainable and more equal future,” he said.

Saudi Arabia officially submitted its full bid to host the expo last October. Riyadh is up against Busan in South Korea and Rome in Italy. The final selection is due to take place in November.

Riyadh intends to host the World Expo from Oct. 1, 2030, to March 31, 2031, at a purpose-built complex covering an area of 6 million square meters, under the theme “The Era of Change: Together for a Foresighted Tomorrow.”

“Our expo will be built by the world, for the world,” Ibrahim Al-Sultan, acting CEO of the Royal Commission for Riyadh City, told the assembly. “The work has already begun.”

Preparations to host the expo are due for completion in February 2028, with capacity to welcome some 120 million visitors in 2030 alone if the city is selected. 

Riyadh has experience in building world-class projects with the assistance of international partners, said Al-Sultan. Furthermore, it is “on the road” to becoming a global, top-10 economy and a hub for finance, commerce, sport and entertainment.

A BIE delegation visited Riyadh in March to review the technical aspects of its candidacy. During his five-day visit, Dimitri Kerkentzes, secretary general of the BIE, said the Kingdom has “everything needed” to host a successful expo.

The Saudi bid fits Vision 2030, the social reform and economic diversification agenda unveiled by the crown prince in 2016 to move the country’s economy away from hydrocarbons to develop other high-value sectors including tourism and entertainment.

Khalid Al-Falih, the Kingdom’s investment minister, told Tuesday’s assembly that Expo 2030 would create an opportunity “in line with the investment environment in Saudi Arabia, which knows no limits.”




Lamia Al-Muhanna, on the left, director of landscape architecture, Royal Commission for Riyadh City. (Screenshot/BIE Paris)

Under the leadership of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia is targeting investment worth $3.3 trillion by the end of the decade, 30 percent of which would be in the city of Riyadh, said Al-Falih.

“The Expo 2030 budget of $7.8 billion is catalytic to our broader Riyadh investment plan.”

The private sector would be given a large role in organizing the event, said Al-Falih, adding the expo site would be a “global forum for companies to search for opportunities in the Kingdom.”

Tourism is a key pillar of Vision 2030 and would form an important part of a successful Riyadh Expo, Princess Reema bint Bandar, the Saudi ambassador to the US, told the assembly.

She said a special visa would be issued to those attending an Expo 2030 in Riyadh.




Ibrahim Al-Sultan, acting CEO of the Royal Commission for Riyadh City. (Screenshot/BIE Paris)

Saudi Arabia is no stranger to hosting millions of visitors, given that it is home to the Two Holy Mosques which bring in millions of pilgrims every year for Hajj in Makkah for one of the largest mass gatherings in the world.

Princess Reema said the Kingdom was “a hidden gem waiting to be discovered by the world,” that was fully dedicated to organizing the “greatest expo in history.” Riyadh is an “exceptional” global tourist destination, she added.

On Monday, the crown prince attended Saudi Arabia’s official reception in Paris hosted by the Royal Commission for Riyadh City for delegates of the 179 member states of the BIE — an important part of the nomination procedure. 

The event was held to showcase Riyadh’s readiness to host the expo and to outline its plans ahead of the BIE’s next general assembly in November, during which the 2030 expo’s host city will be put to a vote.

More than 60 countries and organizations, including China, France, Turkiye, Greece, Morocco, Nigeria, Djibouti, Armenia, Cuba, Costa Rica, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and the Gulf Cooperation Council, have endorsed the Saudi bid.

Saudi Arabia first took part in a World Expo in 1958 when the event was hosted in the Belgian capital, Brussels and has participated in World and Specialized Expos ever since. World Expos are held every five years, with Specialized Expos in the in-between years.

The Kingdom’s enthusiasm and engagement in these events has not gone unnoticed. At a Specialized Expo 2008 in the Spanish city of Zaragoza, Saudi Arabia was handed a silver award for its pavilion design. This was topped two years later with a gold award at the World Expo 2010 Shanghai in China.

The tradition of World Expos began in London in 1851 with the Great Exhibition — a celebration of scientific and technological advancement, but also a fascinating display of curiosities from around the world that reflected an age of accelerating transport and communications and seemingly boundless potential.

Since then, World Expos have been occasions to share and celebrate the innovations and discoveries of the day. It takes visitors on immersive journeys built around a common theme.

Welcoming tens of millions of visitors, they allow participating countries to build extraordinary pavilions, transforming host cities for years to come.

The last was hosted by Dubai from Oct. 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022. The next is due to be held in Osaka, Japan, in 2025.

Having earned a reputation for breathtaking architecture and displays featuring high-tech innovations following the success of its multi award-winning pavilion at the Dubai Expo, Saudi Arabia appears very well placed to secure its bid for 2030.


Saudi FM holds phone call with Palestinian PM on latest updates

Updated 28 sec ago
Follow

Saudi FM holds phone call with Palestinian PM on latest updates

DUBAI: Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan on Monday received a phone call with Palestinian Prime Minister Muhammad Mustafa.  

Prince Faisal and Mustafa discussed the situation in the Palestinian occupied territories, read a statement by the Saudi foreign ministry on “X”.

 


Kingdom leads AI governance on global stage

Updated 28 min 30 sec ago
Follow

Kingdom leads AI governance on global stage

  • Abdullah Al-Ghamdi highlights Kingdom’s AI ethics, policies, leadership at Paris summit

Riyadh: President of the Saudi Data and AI Authority Abdullah Al-Ghamdi said that Saudi Arabia has presented a pioneering model for strengthening comprehensive artificial intelligence governance at both regional and global levels.

He noted that this comes amid a growing global need for such governance, as AI continues to shape economies, societies, and global power structures, transcending international borders and impacting industries, governments, labor markets, and security.

His remarks came during his speech at a session held on Monday as part of the AI Action Summit, hosted in Paris from Feb. 10–11, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The session was attended by French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, along with several world leaders, policymakers, and leading AI experts.

Al-Ghamdi emphasized that comprehensive AI governance ensures all stakeholders — including governments, businesses, civil society, and underrepresented communities — have a role in shaping the future of AI.

He noted that by fostering collaboration and transparency, comprehensive governance can mitigate risks, build trust, and establish a framework that ensures AI serves all of humanity rather than benefiting only a specific group, the SPA reported.

Al-Ghamdi added that without diverse perspectives in policymaking, AI risks exacerbating inequalities, reinforcing biases, and favoring only certain groups.

He highlighted that Saudi Arabia has published 65 AI-related policies on the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development’s AI Policy Observatory, ranking third after the US and the UK.

Moreover, Al-Ghamdi said the Kingdom launched the AI Policy and Incident Observatory for the Middle East in Arabic, reflecting its commitment to regional transparency and data-driven policymaking.

He also highlighted Saudi Arabia’s local, regional, and international efforts in data and AI, noting that in 2020, before the latest AI breakthroughs, the Kingdom hosted the first Global AI Summit in Riyadh.

In 2024, the Kingdom organized the third and largest edition of the summit, bringing together experts, policymakers, and industry leaders from over 100 countries to shape the future of AI for the benefit of humanity, he said.

Driven by its commitment to ensuring AI advancements align with Islamic values and ethical principles, Saudi Arabia hosted the largest consultative session of the UN Advisory Body on AI in Riyadh, with representatives from over 53 Islamic countries, Al-Ghamdi said.

These efforts, he added, culminated in the launch of the Riyadh Charter for AI Ethics in the Islamic World last September, reflecting AI’s impact on the lives of 2 billion Muslims worldwide.

Al-Ghamdi said that Saudi Arabia’s role in AI governance extends beyond initiatives to the establishment of the International Center for AI Research and Ethics in Riyadh. As a Category 2 center under UNESCO, it will play a pivotal role in shaping AI policies, enhancing capacity building, and supporting the development of ethical and responsible AI, he noted.

The center has organized several events in collaboration with the Arab League and the Gulf Cooperation Council, bringing together over 100 experts from 28 countries and institutions with the aim of strengthening regional AI governance and establishing clear ethical regulations.

Al-Ghamdi concluded by emphasizing that, as the heart of the Arab and Islamic worlds, Saudi Arabia is ready to contribute to shaping the future of the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence, which will hold its 2025 ministerial council meeting in Slovakia.

He called for unified international efforts to build an innovative, trustworthy, and inclusive AI ecosystem.


Somalian PM visits Makkah’s Hira Cultural District

Updated 10 February 2025
Follow

Somalian PM visits Makkah’s Hira Cultural District

JEDDAH: Somalian Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre visited the Hira Cultural District in Makkah, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.

He toured sections of the Revelation Exhibition, including the stories of revelation with the prophets and other components of the district.

The exhibition features a pavilion detailing the Cave of Hira and Khadijah bint Khuwaylid, the Mother of the Believers, along with a depiction of the first revelation.

The prime minister also visited the Holy Qur’an Museum, where he viewed manuscripts and exhibits that highlight the status of the Qur’an and efforts to preserve it.

He praised the district’s scientific content, its techniques, and the Kingdom’s efforts to enrich visitors’ religious and cultural experiences, according to the SPA.

The Hira Cultural District spans about 67,000 square meters near Jabal Hira, one of Makkah’s most famous landmarks.

The tourism and educational destination bridges the past and present, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 to enhance quality of life and visitor experiences.


Saudi project clears 714 Houthi mines in Yemen

Updated 10 February 2025
Follow

Saudi project clears 714 Houthi mines in Yemen

RIYADH: Members of Saudi Arabia’s Project Masam removed 714 explosive devices from various regions of Yemen last week.

The total included 30 anti-tank mines and 684 unexploded ordnances, according to a recent report.

Ousama Al-Gosaibi, the initiative’s managing director, said a total of 481,240 mines had been cleared since its inception in 2018.

The explosives were planted indiscriminately and posed a threat to civilians, including children, women and the elderly.

The demining operations took place in Marib, Aden, Jouf, Shabwa, Taiz, Hodeidah, Lahij, Sanaa, Al-Bayda, Al-Dhale and Saada.

The initiative trains local demining engineers and provides them with modern equipment. It also offers support to Yemenis injured by the devices.

Teams are tasked with clearing villages, roads and schools to facilitate safe movement for civilians and the delivery of humanitarian aid.


US Chamber of Commerce official discusses US-Saudi collaboration on AI policy

Updated 10 February 2025
Follow

US Chamber of Commerce official discusses US-Saudi collaboration on AI policy

  • Kingdom maintains open-door approach with US business group, says Steve Lutes
  • Strong regulatory framework will inspire investor confidence, promote innovation

RIYADH: As Saudi Arabia accelerates its adoption of artificial intelligence, a strong regulatory framework is emerging as a key driver of US-Saudi collaboration.

In an exclusive interview with Arab News on the sidelines of the LEAP 2025 technology conference, Steve Lutes, vice president for Middle East affairs at the US Chamber of Commerce, stressed the importance of implementing clear policies that inspire investor confidence.

“One thing that’s always at the core is to have the policy and regulatory environment that is going to give confidence and clarity to investors, risk-takers, and innovators,” Lutes said.

He added that Saudi Arabia maintains an open-door policy in working with the US Chamber and industry leaders to shape its regulatory framework.

“This will catalyze finance and fuel more investment, bring more innovation, and strengthen partnerships between the United States and Saudi Arabia in AI and across the broader economy,” he said.

Saudi Arabia recently announced plans to expand its trade and investment ties with the US to at least $600 billion over the next four years, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman outlined the Kingdom’s strategy during a phone conversation with US President Donald Trump.

Lutes pointed to Saudi Arabia’s young, tech-savvy workforce as a key factor in advancing AI under Vision 2030.

“Saudi is a young country, and you have a young workforce that is embracing technology and wants to be right there, whether in the private sector or government, leading the way on technology innovation and adaptation,” he said.

He underscored that talent development, alongside a robust regulatory framework, will be critical in fostering AI innovation and scaling businesses in Saudi Arabia.

Ensuring Saudi Arabia has access to cutting-edge US technology is also a priority, Lutes noted, emphasizing that this access is essential for the Kingdom’s innovation ecosystem.

“It’s one of the things that we would put toward the top of the list,” he said, referring to high-performance AI hardware such as Nvidia’s advanced chips.

While acknowledging the importance of security measures, Lutes emphasized the need to balance protection with cooperation.

“Yes, we want to protect and make sure that the right measures are in place, but it’s absolutely critical that our strategic allies, like the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, have access to and the ability to tap into US technology.”

He emphasized the broader economic implications of this access, noting that US companies are already playing a significant role in Saudi Arabia’s AI-driven transformation.

“What’s going on here in the Kingdom is very important to our economic relationship in the United States and to the US companies that are already here, doing incredible things,” he said.

“We want to see that only grow, deepen, and create more jobs, more investment, more innovation, and more opportunities to strengthen the US-Saudi relationship.”

Lutes expressed optimism about the future of US-Saudi AI collaboration, highlighting the role of diplomacy in achieving shared goals.

“I’m an optimist, and I believe we will get to a good place in terms of that policy,” he said.

He added that efforts should focus on ensuring everything is fueled and catalyzed to accelerate partnerships between the US and the Kingdom, with the private sector leading the way.