RIYADH: Colombia declared its official support on Friday for the Kingdom’s bid to host the 2030 World Expo, emphasizing the importance of bilateral relations and partnerships with Saudi Arabia in various areas of mutual interest.
The decision was announced by Adel Al-Jubeir, Saudi minister of state for foreign affairs, Cabinet member and climate affairs envoy, during a meeting with Alvaro Leyva Duran, foreign minister of Colombia.
The discussions focused on bilateral relations between the two countries. Al-Jubeir thanked his Colombian counterpart for “the warm and gracious hospitality and for his country’s support for the Kingdom’s bid for Expo 2030.”
The official website of the Colombian ministry of foreign affairs said that Al-Jubeir ratified the commitment to establish an embassy in Colombia, following the exploratory mission that visited Bogota last October to review potential headquarters’ locations.
The senior officials highlighted the importance of investments in the energy transition, health and agriculture sectors. According to the Colombian ministry of foreign affairs, both governments are working on memorandums of understanding for cooperation in the cultural, energy and tourism fields.
Riyadh’s bid to host the event faces competition from Busan (South Korea), Rome (Italy), and Odessa (Ukraine). Regardless of the outcome, the World Expo is expected to provide an ideal opportunity for nations to share their innovations, cultures and ideas.
Held since 1851, the expos are the world’s largest platform to showcase the latest achievements and technologies and celebrate the cultural values that unite humanity.
