World Expo 2030 host country to be elected Nov. 28
Saudi Arabia’s candidature is for a World Expo in the city of Riyadh between Oct. 1, 2030 and Mar. 31, 2031 under the theme ‘The Era of Change: Together for a Foresighted Tomorrow’
Host country will be elected by member states of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) during the organization’s 173rd General Assembly on Nov. 28
Updated 28 September 2023
Arab News
PARIS: Three countries are in the running to host World Expo 2030: Saudi Arabia (in Riyadh), the Republic of Korea (in Busan) and Italy (in Rome).
The host country will be elected by member states of the Bureau International des Expositions during the organization’s 173rd general assembly, taking place on 28 November.
• Saudi Arabia’s candidature is for a World Expo in the city of Riyadh between 1 October 2030 and 31 March 2031 under the theme “The Era of Change: Together for a Foresighted Tomorrow.”
• The Republic of Korea’s candidature is for a World Expo in the city of Busan between 1 May and 31 October 2030 under the theme “Transforming Our World, Navigating Toward a Better Future.”
• Italy’s candidature is for a World Expo in the city of Rome between 1 May and 31 October 2030 under the theme “People and Territories: Regeneration, Inclusion and Innovation.”
During the 173rd General Assembly on 28 November, following Expo progress reports, each of the three candidates will make final presentations of their Expo projects.
Eligible and present member states of the BIE, represented by government-appointed delegates, will then vote for the World Expo 2030 host country by secret ballot using electronic voting. Each member state has one vote.
BIE rules stipulate that in the case of more than two candidates, a candidate must gather two-third of votes cast to be elected outright.
With three countries in the running to host World Expo 2030, if no candidate gathers two-third of votes cast in the first round, the third-place candidate is eliminated and the two remaining candidates will immediately move into a second round. The host country of World Expo 2030 will then be elected by a simple majority.
World Expos, officially known as International Registered Exhibitions, are global gatherings of nations addressing universal challenges of our time. These unparalleled global events offer a journey inside a chosen theme through engaging and immersive activities.
Taking place every five years and lasting up to six months, World Expos welcome tens of millions of visitors, allow countries to build extraordinary pavilions, and transform the host city for years to come.
The most recent World Expo, Expo 2020 Dubai, took place under the theme “Connecting Minds, Creating the Future,” and received over 24 million visits.
The next World Expo, Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai, will take place between April 13 and Oct. 13, 2025, under the theme “Designing Future Society for Our Lives.”
Soundstorm expands Saudi Arabia’s music scene with talent programs, global collaborations
Young people see music as industry with variety of career paths beyond performing, says general manager of MDLBEAST Foundation
Updated 11 December 2025
Afshan Aziz
RIYADH: MDLBEAST is placing sustainability and the growth of Saudi Arabia’s creative economy at the center of Soundstorm 2025, its annual music festival which is taking place until Dec. 13.
In an exclusive interview with Arab News, Ramadan Alharatani, the CEO of MDLBEAST, said the festival was not just about entertainment, but about creating long-term economic and social value.
He said: “Soundstorm plays a major role in the creative economy by creating jobs, attracting international talent, and giving local artists real opportunities to perform on a large stage.
“We are also investing in long-term programs that support training, production, and creative development beyond the festival weekend.
“This year we are focusing more on accessibility and sustainability. We are improving transportation options, making the site easier to navigate, and introducing better systems for recycling and energy use. Inclusion is also a priority, so we are working on creating spaces and experiences that welcome all types of audiences.”
Looking at the festival’s role in nurturing emerging talent, Alharatani said: “We are continuing to build on programs that help new talent grow.
“Through XP Music Futures, our year-round initiatives under the MDLBEAST Foundation, and partnerships with regional and international labels, we are giving young artists more access to mentorship, training, and performance opportunities.
“We are also supporting new ideas in music tech, sound design, and creative production, so emerging talent can experiment with different forms of expression. These partnerships help us develop the next generation of artists and build a stronger presence in the region.”
Ramadan Alharatani, the CEO of MDLBEAST
This year’s edition of Soundstorm offers audiences more stages, a wider variety of genres, and increased international collaborations.
The festival layout has been redesigned to make it easier for fans to explore areas dedicated to live music, hip-hop, regional talent, and emerging artists, alongside the main stages featuring global performers.
These changes focus on the rapid growth of Saudi Arabia’s music scene, with local audiences embracing diverse genres, and international artists showing greater interest in performing in the Kingdom.
“Soundstorm has always been a place where these worlds meet, but this year that connection is stronger and more visible,” Alharatani said.
Regarding the future and MDLBEAST’S vision, he said: “Our main priority is growth that feels sustainable and meaningful.
“We want to build more cultural experiences, support more local talent, and expand our presence globally without losing our connection to the region. In the next few years we will continue developing our festivals, expanding our live event calendar, increasing our year-round venue offerings, and investing in talent development.
“The goal is to create long-term value for the music and entertainment scene in Saudi Arabia.”
Building on MDLBEAST’S efforts to expand the Kingdom’s creative ecosystem, Nada Alhelabi, general manager of the MDLBEAST Foundation and founder of XP Music Futures, said the foundation was creating professional pathways for emerging talent.
She said: “This year we are expanding XP’s educational and professional programs to give young people clearer pathways into the music industry. We are introducing more workshops, mentoring sessions, and hands-on training across areas such as sound engineering, event production, artist management, and creative business.
“The aim is to help young talent understand how the industry works and how they can build real careers in it. Alongside our XP Music Futures program we have nine initiatives that the MDLBEAST Foundation works on all year round to develop a sustainable music ecosystem in our region.”
Nada Alhelabi, general manager of the MDLBEAST Foundation and founder of XP Music Futures. (Supplied)
She added that the landscape of creative careers in Saudi Arabia had transformed rapidly, with more venues, festivals, and studios creating a growing demand for skilled professionals.
Alhelabi added: “Young people now see music as a real industry with a variety of career paths beyond performing. XP Music Futures provides a space where talent, executives, startups, and educators can connect, giving young creatives access to industry leaders, hands-on learning, and opportunities to network and exchange ideas.”
On the impact of key programs, Alhelabi said: “This year we saw strong progress across all three programs. Hunna continues to support the development of female talent and leaders, and several participants have already stepped into new roles across production, performance, and creative management.
“XPERFORM (has) helped emerging artists grow their audiences and secure new performance opportunities, and a major milestone this year was our new partnership with Shahid.
“As the region’s leading streaming platform, Shahid is now broadcasting XPERFORM, giving our artists wider visibility and bringing their stories to a much larger audience.
“Sound Futures also supported a new wave of music-tech startups, many of which are now testing or launching their ideas in the market.
“Together, these stories show how year-round support can make a real difference and they highlight how XP is helping shape the next generation of creatives.”
