Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh Selected to Host Milestone 2030 World Expo
The Saudi Arabian capital city of Riyadh has been named host of World Expo 2030 following a competitive global bidding victory announced this week. Saudi officials celebrated the prestigious win to convene the high-profile international event as the kingdom continues elevating its global stature through sports, tourism, investment and cultural exchanges.
The Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) vote saw Riyadh strongly favored by member states to organize World Expo 2030. Out of 182 voting countries, Saudi Arabia secured 119 votes compared to runner-up Busan, South Korea’s 29 and just 17 for Rome, Italy. A two-thirds majority threshold in the first round clinched Saudi’s triumph.
Staged every 5 years and lasting up to 6 months, World Expos are monumental undertakings showcasing technology, culture, business and ideas from around the planet. They attract millions of visitors plus extensive economic opportunities from global publicity and investment.
For Saudi Arabia, adding a marquee World Expo to events like last year’s FIFA soccer tournament and upcoming 2029 Asian Winter Games caps a strategic shift towards higher visibility on the world stage after being closed off for decades. Superior infrastructure and $1 trillion in capital to fund major projects aided its bid.
Saudi officials hailed Riyadh’s selection as recognizing the kingdom’s expansive transformation socially and economically. The country amended strict religious rules to allow cinemas, concerts and mixed-gender events while promoting private sector growth beyond oil exports. Officials expect World Expo 2030 to spur more advancement.
A massive purpose-built exhibition center in Riyadh will anchor World Expo 2030 hosting duties once completed. Adjacent residential and commercial zones tailored for the global fair will drive lasting urban development.
Riyadh has marketed its outsized venue construction capabilities and renowned hospitality sector as assets setting it apart alongside Saudi’s status as the Arab world’s biggest economy. Describing the country’s pride and readiness, Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to France called Riyadh an obvious choice for World Expo based on global engagement ambitions.
But human rights groups lambasted Saudi Expo voting success, citing ongoing women’s oppression, dissident jailings and the 2018 state-ordered murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Critics argue glitzy entertainment spectacles and branding gambits cannot eclipse fundamental reforms still required in Saudi society.
Still, with massive funding reserves and powerful geopolitical sway as a leading oil exporter, Saudi Arabia appears determined to capture the global spotlight. From tripling annual tourism by 2030 to projecting regional influence, hosting World Expo 2030 hands Saudi rulers another lever towards improved perceptions and attained legitimacy some insist superficial image polishing cannot manufacture alone.
