His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President of the UAE, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, affirmed his support for Saudi Arabia's request to host Expo 2030, adding that the success of the Kingdom is success for the entire region. He stated, "We announce our support for the Kingdom's request, and we also declare that the knowledge and experiences we gained during the 7 years of preparation for Expo 2020 will be available for our brothers."
In a tweet yesterday, he noted, "The Kingdom today submitted a request to host Expo 2030. We announce from today our support for the Kingdom's request, and we also announce that the knowledge and experiences we gained during 7 years of preparation for Expo 2020 will be available for our brothers... The impacts of Expo will last for years, and the success of the Kingdom is success for the entire region. I wish my brother Mohammed bin Salman all the best in this project."
Saudi Arabia announced yesterday that it has officially submitted a request to the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) to host Expo 2030 in Riyadh under the slogan "The Era of Change: Moving Our Planet Towards the Future" from October 1, 2030, to April 1, 2031. This came in a letter from Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Royal Commission for Riyadh City, to the Secretary-General of the BIE, Dimitri Kerkentzes.
In his letter, Prince Mohammed bin Salman emphasized that this nomination is an important and symbolic challenge for Saudi Arabia, expressing his confidence in the Kingdom’s ability and commitment to hold a historic edition of the World Expo with the highest levels of innovation. He added, "We believe that giving countries bidding for the first time the opportunity to host the World Expo will enhance the esteemed role of the BIE as a platform for cultural understanding and human exchange, reflecting the changing nature of our evolving world."
Regarding the timing of Saudi Arabia's request to host the World Expo, Prince Mohammed bin Salman stated, "Hosting Expo 2030 in Riyadh will coincide with a year in which we celebrate our efforts to achieve the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030." He emphasized that Vision 2030 represents "the Kingdom's ambition for the future, a vision built on the limitless energy of our youth with the aim of creating a more sustainable future for the benefit of future generations."
The Royal Commission for Riyadh City, chaired by the Crown Prince, will lead the Saudi bid to host the World Expo 2030. Additionally, further details regarding the hosting request will be submitted to the BIE in Paris in December this year, as it is the body responsible for overseeing and organizing international exhibitions since 1931. It is worth mentioning that international expos have been held since 1851, serving as the largest global platform for showcasing the latest achievements and technologies and promoting international cooperation in economic development, trade, arts, culture, and the dissemination of science and technology.
