Newsnomics AJAY ANGELINA reporter |

Saudi Arabia wins the opportunity to host the world Expo 2030 Expo after defeating challenges from South Korea and Italy for the prestigious event.

Riyadh was confirmed as the successor host to Osaka in 2025 by winning 119 out of 165 votes by the member states of the Paris-based Bureau International des Expositions at the 173rd General Assembly of the Organization for International Exhibitions (BIE) held in Paris, France on the afternoon of the 28th (local time).

Immediately after winning the chance to host world Expo 2030, Al-Arabia Broadcasting of Saudi reported that, "Riyadh easily defeated Italy and Korea and won the right to host the 2030 Expo."

Additionally, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman reported successful hosting of the Expo 2030 to King Salman and conveyed his congratulations, reported by Al Arabian Broadcasting. 

Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Saudi Foreign Minister expressed his gratitude to the countries that supported Riyadh, saying, "Winning the bid for Expo 2030 reflects the world's trust in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia."

Prince Faisal said, “I would like to thank the 130 countries that have already announced their support for the Kingdom’s bid. Distinguished dignitaries, you have all acted as indispensable partners providing insight, feed back, and support throughout the Kingdom’s campaign.”

He reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s “unwavering commitment to collaborate with all nations to deliver an Expo built by the world for the world and to find new pathways for collective action and collaboration.”

In addition, the Kingdom will “provide facilities packages of $348 million to a pool of 100 eligible countries,” said the Saudi foreign minister.

Princess Haifa Al-Mogrin, the Kingdom’s ambassador to UNESCO commented on the achievement: “Riyadh Expo 2030 will be a global platform that accelerates progress, toward the most urgent challenges, health and education, climate and the environment, trade and investment, peace and prosperity for all.”

“Diriyah will be very famous by 2030, the city of Riyadh will be unrecognizable,” Jerry Inzerillo, CEO of the Diriyah Group, told Arab News during an event leading up to the Expo 2030 announcement.

“What Singapore did in 60 years, what the Emiratis did just in tourism in 30 years, the crown prince wants to accomplish that in 15 years,” he added.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia predicts that a total of 246 organizations, including 226 countries, will attend the Riyadh Expo scheduled from October 1, 2030 to March 31, 2031, and about 41 million people will visit annually.

The Riyadh Expo will be held from October 2030 to March 2031 under the slogan 'Age of Change: Together for the Future'.