BIE delegation praises Saudi Arabia’s readiness to host Expo 2030

1 / 2
(R to L), Patrick Specht, president of the BIE Administration and Budget Committee, Fahd Al-Rasheed Chief Executive Officer of the Royal Commission for Riyadh City, and BIE Secretary-General Dimitrios Kerkentzes. (AN Photo: Abdulrahman Shalhoub)
Short Url
Updated 11 March 2023
Follow

BIE delegation praises Saudi Arabia’s readiness to host Expo 2030

  • Al-Rasheed told Arab News that Expo 2030 will be an opportunity for the city and for the Kingdom to showcase the accomplishments of Vision 2030 to the world

RIYADH: The Royal Commission for Riyadh City held a press conference with the attendance of members of the Bureau International des Expositions to discuss the tour that took place in Riyadh this week and the Kingdom’s readiness to host the Expo 2030.

Fahd Al-Rasheed, CEO of RCRC, shared with Arab News the advantages of staging the event in the Saudi capital.

“The Kingdom under Vision 2030 is undergoing a massive transformation. The city of Riyadh in itself is also undergoing a massive transformation,” he said, referencing multiple projects underway, including Green Riyadh and the King Salman International Airport. “The city is getting ready to host massive events, (as) we are.”

Speakers at the conference included Dimitri Kerkentzes, BIE secretary-general; Patrick Specht, BIE chairperson of the inquiry mission; who is also president of the BIE administration and budget committee; and Mazen Tammar from RCRC, the senior general manager and project director of Riyadh Expo 2030.

0 seconds of 1 minute, 42 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
01:42
01:42
 

Specht expressed his appreciation to the Kingdom. “I would like to thank our wonderful hosts. It was an inspiring week. It was a really great experience for us all.”

HIGHLIGHTS

• The World Expo carries the legacy of presenting inventions and discoveries that changed the course of history.

• Expos welcome tens of millions of visitors, allow countries to build extraordinary pavilions, and transform the host city for years to come.

• The first international expo was held in London in 1851, combining art, design, engineering and architecture.

• It introduced the innovations of the first Industrial Revolution, which changed society and shaped the future.

• The most recent World Expo took place in Dubai, the UAE, from Oct. 1 to March 31, 2022, featuring pavilions from 191 countries.

He added that meeting Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was a “great honor” and was one of the “highlights” of the mission.

Regarding Expo 2030, he said: “It is an ambitious and interesting project, and we were shown what the country is capable of.”

Kerkentzes described the visit as an “incredible discovery” and praised the Kingdom’s leadership, hospitality, people and ambition.

0 seconds of 2 minutes, 27 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
02:27
02:27
 

Al-Rasheed told Arab News that Expo 2030 will be an opportunity for the city and for the Kingdom to showcase the accomplishments of Vision 2030 to the world.

“We will host 40 million visitors, with over 1 billion visitors through the metaverse, so it will be an opportunity for us to showcase what we have achieved but also an opportunity for us to develop new partnerships with the countries that are partaking (in the event).”

The delegation also had a chance to discuss the significance of Riyadh’s future mobility plans, Kerkentzes said during the conference.

“The project is part of a natural expansion of Riyadh,” he said, referencing the new metro line. This “plays an important role in knowing that the infrastructure is something that is…ready to be used.”




(AN photo by Abdulrahman Shalhoub)

The BIE delegation arrived in Riyadh on March 4 and remained for five days to evaluate the city’s candidacy for hosting the Expo 2030.

The visit is a prerequisite for a country’s candidature to be considered for election. When visiting a candidate city, the delegation’s task is to assess each city’s feasibility and viability.

The delegation engaged with members of the government and experts from the Kingdom to evaluate the details of the bid.

FASTFACTS

Saudi Arabia’s first participation in a World Expo came in 1958 in Brussels, and since then, its vital participation in international and specialized exhibitions has continued.

• If the Kingdom is selected to host Expo 2030, it will take place from Oct. 1, 2030 to April 1, 2031

• 40 million visits are expected to Riyadh Expo 2030.

• Over 220 participants are expected to be present, including international pavilions and organizations and informal participants.

• Riyadh Expo 2030 is planning to embrace the first virtual reality portal, which is expected to have 1 billion visitors.

Riyadh Expo 2030 is proposed to be held under the theme: “The Era of Change: Together for a Foresighted Tomorrow.”

The delegation visited the proposed site of the expo and examined a master plan of the 6 million square meter venue, many of the city landmarks, and its future giga-projects. Accordingly, they will create an evaluation report that will be submitted to the BIE executive committee, which will evaluate it in May this year. Later, the country that will host the expo will be announced in November in Paris.

Talks were also held with representatives of the Saudi Public Investment Fund at its head office in the King Abdullah Financial District, during which they touched upon the willingness of the PIF to partner with foreign companies in areas including construction, cultural programming and event management to deliver the best-possible World Expo.

We will host 40 million visitors, with over 1 billion visitors through the metaverse, so it will be an opportunity for us to showcase what we have achieved but also an opportunity for us to develop new partnerships with the countries that are partaking (in the event).

Fahd Al-Rasheed, CEO of the Royal Commission for Riyadh City

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Envoy for Climate Affairs Adel Al-Jubeir also met delegation members and told them that the Kingdom aims to host the first World Expo to go beyond carbon neutrality and achieve a net positive impact.

He said that Expo 2030 would contribute to the Saudi Green Initiative and the sustainability strategy for Riyadh and that everything would be done “to ensure Riyadh Expo 2030 follows the values of environmental protection.”

0 seconds of 1 minute, 43 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
01:43
01:43
 

Saudi Arabia’s goal to host World Expo 2030 goes hand in hand with Saudi Vision 2030, which was unveiled by the crown prince in 2016 and aims, among other things, to diversify the Saudi economy and develop the nation’s tourism and recreation sectors.

Expo 2030 is scheduled to begin on Oct. 1, 2030, and continue until April 1 the following year.

As the crown prince noted in his letter to the BIE: “The 2030 World Expo in Riyadh will coincide with the culmination of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.”

If Saudi Arabia is selected to host the event, authorities plan to turn Riyadh and the rest of the country into a world-class venue for global culture, connectivity and climate action.


City Walk Jeddah reopens with new attractions until June 14

Updated 13 sec ago
Follow

City Walk Jeddah reopens with new attractions until June 14

  • Seven sections spanning 281,000 sq. m offer a range of activities
  • Rides, theatrical performances and dining options on offer

JEDDAH: City Walk, part of Jeddah Season, officially reopened on Wednesday with a range of new attractions.

Running until June 14, this year’s event features seven themed zones spanning 281,000 sq. m. — Wonder Wall, Tomorrow Land, Fantasy Land, Cairo Nights, Black Forest, Adventure Land and The Garden.

Each section features games, rides and other family-friendly activities.

Salma Al-Harbi, a visitor from Makkah, told Arab News: “We’ve been visiting City Walk for the past three years, but this year truly stands out.

“There are so many new attractions, the experience is more affordable, and the waiting times are much shorter.

“My kids especially loved Luca Land where they got to play with different dog breeds. And for the whole family, the horror zone was definitely the highlight.”

Another, visitor Yazeed Al-Harbi, said: “There’s a great mix of thrills and relaxation. I didn’t expect to enjoy the painting area as much as I did. It’s really inclusive and well thought-out.”

For those seeking light-hearted fun, Joy Plex offers activities for children with characters such as Shaun the Sheep, Masha and the Bear, and Bluey leading interactive adventures.

The nearby Joy Plex-X expands on this with activities such as the Slime Festival, Stumble Guys, and Jelly Zone.

“City Walk is amazing this year, my kids loved the Slime Fest and meeting their favorite cartoon characters in the air-conditioned space, which was a great relief from the hot weather outside,” said Rana Khalid, who came with her children.

“There’s so much to do for everyone in the family.”

Beyond the rides and characters, the 2025 event includes a number of creative and educational activities.

Splash Studio invites guests to paint on the walls, while Navigation Land has air rifle shooting, archery and remote-controlled vehicles.

The Birds & Reptiles Cave gives nature lovers a chance to interact with and learn about exotic species through guided tours.

City Walk also hosts theatrical shows such as A Thousand and One Nights, Pasha, and Broken World.

Beyond the attractions, the event features 77 retail outlets and 65 restaurants and cafes.

Oat Chayanin, from Thailand, who is showcasing handmade cotton owls and other products, said: “I brought a selection of handmade owls from Thailand, along with some medicinal products.

“It’s been wonderful to see how excited people in Saudi Arabia are to learn about Thai culture and show such respect for the products.

“I’m looking forward to engaging with customers and learning more about Saudi culture so I can better understand what to bring for future events.”

Project manager, Mohammed Fahad, said: “The horror-themed attractions are a major highlight this year.”

“Experiences like Five Nights at Freddy’s: Security Breach plunge visitors into a chilling maze of terrifying challenges, while Music Hell offers ghostly concerts brought to life by a skeleton band.

“Le Grand Hotel takes guests on a suspense-filled journey through a haunted building, testing their nerves at every turn.”


KSrelief completes volunteer medical project for pediatric open-heart surgery in Yemen

Updated 01 May 2025
Follow

KSrelief completes volunteer medical project for pediatric open-heart surgery in Yemen

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s aid agency KSrelief has completed a medical service offering open-heart surgery and cardiac catheterization for children in Aden, Yemen, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.

The initiative ran from April 19-26. Ten volunteers from various medical backgrounds were on-site.

The team performed 24 open-heart operations and 98 cardiac catheterization procedures.


Japan’s foreign minister, GCC’s secretary-general discuss partnership

Updated 01 May 2025
Follow

Japan’s foreign minister, GCC’s secretary-general discuss partnership

  • Officials meet in Riyadh to discuss energy security

RIYADH: Japan’s Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi has told Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi that Japan “attaches importance to its partnership with the GCC.”

The two officials met in Riyadh on Thursday to discuss the Gulf region’s partnership with Japan in energy security.

Iwaya added that the GCC region was playing an “increasingly important role in achieving peace and stability amid the current turbulent regional and international situation.”

The Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that Albudaiwi had said that the relationship between Japan and the GCC member states was of “strategic importance,” and that the GCC also hoped to further strengthen its relationship with Japan.

The two officials welcomed the first round of negotiations on the Japan-GCC Economic Partnership Agreement, which resumed in December 2024.

They also agreed to cooperate in a wide range of areas, including politics and security, trade and investment, based on the Japan-GCC Action Plan adopted during the first Japan-GCC Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in September 2023.

Iwaya and Albudaiwi exchanged views on Gaza, the Syrian Arab Republic, Iran, the Red Sea, and East Asia.

They both stressed their intention to further strengthen Japan-GCC relations and to maintain close cooperation through the implementation of the action plan.

This article also appears on Arab News Japan


LCGPA honors 26 winners at third Local Content Awards in Riyadh

Updated 01 May 2025
Follow

LCGPA honors 26 winners at third Local Content Awards in Riyadh

  • The theme of the event was “Applauding Your Impact”

RIYADH: The Local Content and Government Procurement Authority recognized 26 public, private, nonprofit and individual contributors at its third Local Content Award ceremony on Wednesday in Riyadh.

The theme of the event was “Applauding Your Impact.”

Organized under the patronage of Bandar Al-Khorayef, Saudi Arabia’s minister of industry and mineral resources, the event celebrated efforts to advance local content development — a pillar of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030.

This aims to strengthen the economy by boosting domestic industries, reducing reliance on imports and empowering national talent.

The awards highlight achievements in meeting Local Content Requirements, or LCRs, which have raised government procurement spending on domestic goods and services from 28 percent in 2018 to 47 percent.

During his keynote speech, Al-Khorayef said that 396 Local Content Development Teams operated across government entities, while 270 state-owned firms had embedded LCRs into policies, driving their local spending to 50.7 percent in 2023.

In the government entities category, awards were distributed across two main paths and three subcategories.

In the path for Excellence in Local Content for Medium and Low-Spending Entities, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs claimed first place, the Roads General Authority ranked second, and the Digital Government Authority, or DGA, came in third.

Abdulaziz Al-Bader, general manager of procurement at the DGA, told Arab News: “We have focused on localizing industries through technology-related agreements, such as those for digital circuits, where we have achieved impressive results.”

He said that advances in cloud computing and the unification of technical specifications for government technology purchases had further streamlined procurement.

Al-Bader said that “our investment colleagues have made significant efforts, and the entity managing these investments has begun to see tangible outcomes.”

These measures, he explained, directly contributed to “a reduction in government spending on such procurements and accelerated the purchasing process” — an outcome he attributed to rigorous standardization and localized industry partnerships.

STC Group secured the top award for Local Content Preference, while the National Water Company was among other notable honorees.

In the private sector, telecom company TAWAL and manufacturing firm FIPCO stood out among large enterprises. Small and medium enterprises such as Suwar Technology and Intra Defense Technologies were recognized for driving innovation in niche markets.

Reef National Foundation became the first nonprofit to be awarded for advancing local content goals. Individuals Lama Al-Hussein (first) and Abdulmajeed Marzouq (second) earned top honors for raising awareness of local content’s economic impact.


KSrelief completes Syria health initiative, continues in Sudan

Updated 01 May 2025
Follow

KSrelief completes Syria health initiative, continues in Sudan

  • Eight volunteer surgeons on the medical team in Port Sudan have already performed eight specialized operations

RIYADH: The Saudi Arabian aid agency KSrelief has completed its neurology and urology program in Syria, while continuing a similar initiative in Sudan, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.

Eight volunteer surgeons on the medical team in Port Sudan have already performed eight specialized operations.

In Damascus, Syria, the Amal volunteer program has concluded.

Twenty-six volunteers in Damascus examined 285 patients and performed 153 neurology and 162 urology operations.