Riyadh Selected to Host the World Expo 2030

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Facts

  • A vote conducted by the Paris-based Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) has seen Saudi Arabia beat its opponents by a landslide to host the 2030 World Exposition in its capital Riyadh. The Kingdom intends to host the event between October 2030 and March 2031.1
  • Riyadh won the bid with 119 (72%) of the 165 votes, ahead of the South Korean port city of Busan with 29 votes (18%), followed by the Italian capital Rome with 17 votes (10%). Riyadh's bid was officially backed by French President Emmanuel Macron, and subject to criticism from some activists over human rights concerns.2
  • Saudi Arabia's clear win made it the first time in 20 years that a candidate was awarded the World Expo in the first round of voting. Following the ballot, Italy alleged that Riyadh had offered countries economic incentives in return for their vote.3
  • After the ballot, Saudi foreign minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan said the vote was an 'expression of the trust that the international community has' in Riyadh. The Expo 2030 reflects Riyadh's vision of a 'shared pathway to prosperity for all of the countries of the world,' he added.2
  • Securing the ability to host the World Fair in 2030 coincides with the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s (MBS) agenda to diversify the country economically and culturally through its Vision 2030 program. Additionally, Saudi Arabia will host the 2034 football World Cup, among other sporting events.4
  • The month-long event — first held in London in 1851 — will likely attract millions of visitors. The World Expo has often helped publicize groundbreaking inventions such as the light bulb and iconic buildings like Paris' Eiffel Tower.5

Sources: 1Reuters, 2Associated Press, 3Politico, 4France 24 and 5The Washington Times.

Narratives

  • Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by CIO. Riyadh's successful bid to host the World Expo 2030 is cause for celebration. By showcasing the latest technological marvels to international tourists and officials, Saudi Arabia will have the opportunity to build closer ties with western nations and firm up its reputation as a key player, in terms of innovation and diplomacy, for years to come.
  • Establishment-critical narrative, as provided by DAWN. Allowing Saudi Arabia to host the World Expo 2030 is a huge mistake with international implications. This outcome signals that the Bureau of International des Expositions (BiE) holds no regard for human rights — it is failing to take a stand against a morally corrupt regime. Saudi Arabia is an inappropriate backdrop to a meeting centered on global solutions to today’s global challenges.