PARIS: There were celebrations all round on Tuesday evening following the news that Saudi Arabia will host World Expo 2030.
Riyadh won the vote by a convincing margin, securing 119 out of 165 votes from the member states of the Bureau International des Expositions in Paris.
As the majority was more than two-thirds, it meant a second round of voting was unnecessary.
Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and climate envoy Adel Al-Jubeir told Arab News he was “elated, satisfied, happy, pleased” by the result.
“We now have a chance to bring the world to Riyadh and show Riyadh to the world,” he said, adding the Expo would be “something the world has not seen before.”
“It will be transformative, and it will be a model for exhibitions after Riyadh to emulate.”
Confirming the votes, BIE Secretary-General Dimitri Kerkentzes said: “Saudi Arabia was able to get more than two-thirds of the votes that were submitted. I think that shows there is a very, very strong commitment from the global community to not only go to Riyadh, but to really make it something special for the world, something innovative and something that we will work on together.”
Prince Faisal bin Abdulaziz bin Ayyaf, the mayor of Riyadh Region, said: “We’re very proud, it’s a historic day for all of us. We’re very glad about the accomplishment today, but I think the work just started. We’re ready to welcome the world in Riyadh.”
Ghadeer Altassan, director of Riyadh 2030 Bid Book, told Arab News that work had already begun on several initiatives, including the investment lab and procurement hub. There are also plans to expedite the registration process.
The Saudi bid for Expo 2030 received high-profile public backing from French President Emmanuel Macron, who declared his country’s support last year.
A video presented before Tuesday’s vote showed an endorsement from international football star Cristiano Ronaldo, who moved to Riyadh with his family to play for Al-Nassr.
Saudi delegates have also expressed their congratulations over the win.
Princess Haifa Al-Mogrin, delegate to the BIE and UNESCO, told Arab News: “Congratulations to Saudi Arabia, congratulations to the region, and congratulations to the world.
“The world has chosen Riyadh. Why Riyadh? Riyadh offers a platform for sustainable partnership. It is not a business fair. It is not a show. It is something that will have a sustainable result. This is what Riyadh aims for,” she said.
Princess Haifa also cited the country’s work ethic and commitment and noted that the next phase of preparing for Expo 2030 would begin on Tuesday night — the same evening of the vote.
Riyadh’s designated Expo 2030 team has pledged the event will be the most accessible Expo yet and the first to have a positive impact on the environment.
The Expo is expected to take place in Riyadh between October 2030 and March 2031.
