PARIS: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman attended the official reception in Paris on Monday to present Saudi Arabia’s candidacy to host Expo 2030, a global event that showcases innovation and progress. The event was attended by representatives from 179 member countries of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), the organization responsible for organizing the expo.
During the reception, the crown prince visited an exhibition organized by the Royal Commission for the City of Riyadh, highlighting the rich heritage, culture, and the cultural depth of Saudi Arabia and its capital. The exhibition provided a virtual journey through Riyadh in 2030, showcasing prominent landmarks such as King Salman International Airport, Sports Boulevard, King Salman Park, Diriyah Gate, and Qiddiya.
The participation of HRH the #CrownPrince provides a big boost to the Kingdom's efforts to host Expo-2030. 🇸🇦 https://t.co/yW0Xxcwdp8
— Adel Aljubeir عادل الجبير (@AdelAljubeir) June 19, 2023
The reception marked an important step in the nomination process for countries vying to host Expo 2030. It will be followed by the General Assembly of the BIE on Tuesday and Wednesday at the organization’s headquarters in Paris.
During the General Assembly, the detailed candidature dossiers submitted by the four competing countries, Saudi Arabia, Italy, South Korea, and Ukraine, will be presented. The voting to choose the host city is scheduled to take place in November.
Apart from Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh, Rome, Busan, and Odesa are competing to host Expo 2030. The project examination phase is currently underway, and the host country will be elected by BIE member states at the General Assembly in November.
Saudi Arabia Garners Significant Support
The reception in Paris was attended by a high-ranking Saudi delegation, international diplomatic corps based in Paris, ambassadors accredited to UNESCO, representatives of major participating entities and projects, BIE member states, and senior French government and private sector officials.
Saudi Arabia’s bid to host Expo 2030 in Riyadh has garnered significant support, including from influential French senator Natalie Goulet, who sees it as the culmination of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030. Goulet praised Saudi Arabia’s progress in various areas, such as the role of women, modernization, music, openness, and tourism.
Jack Lang, president of the Arab World Institute and France’s former minister of culture, also expressed support for Riyadh’s bid, describing it as a “smart and visionary choice” to host the expo.
