https://arab.news/ynz8g
- President Santiago Peña Palacios announced his country's support on the sidelines of UNGA78
RIYADH: Paraguay has thrown its support behind Saudi Arabia's bid to host World Expo 2030, joining the growing list of countries backing the Kingdom's quest, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs said early Saturday.
President Santiago Peña Palacios announced his country's stance after a meeting with Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel Al-Jubeir on the sidelines of the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York City, the ministry said in a statement.
"President Palacios noted that this support comes as a result of the distinguished relations between the two countries," said the ministry statement posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Minister Al-Jubeir has, in turn, conveyed the Kingdom's appreciation for Paraguay's support.
Riyadh is competing with Rome and South Korea's Busan city to host World Expo 2020.
Member states of the Paris-based Bureau International des Expositions, or BIE, will choose the host country for World Expo 2030 at their 173rd General Assembly scheduled in November.
Should the BIE chose Riyadh over Busan and Rome, the Saudi capital would become the second in the MENA region to host such prestigious event. Dubai was the first when it hosted Expo 2020.
The prospective Riyadh Expo 2030 promises to become the “first environmentally friendly exhibition that achieves zero” carbon emissions.
The goal to host a zero-carbon emission expo also aligns with Vision 2030’s commitment to clean energy and sustainability.