Riyadh Expo 2030 to Introduce Packages Supporting Participation of Developing Nations

A map illustrating the proposed location of the Riyadh Expo 2030 exhibition in the northern part of the Saudi capital, Riyadh. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
A map illustrating the proposed location of the Riyadh Expo 2030 exhibition in the northern part of the Saudi capital, Riyadh. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Riyadh Expo 2030 to Introduce Packages Supporting Participation of Developing Nations

A map illustrating the proposed location of the Riyadh Expo 2030 exhibition in the northern part of the Saudi capital, Riyadh. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
A map illustrating the proposed location of the Riyadh Expo 2030 exhibition in the northern part of the Saudi capital, Riyadh. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The proposed site in the Saudi capital for hosting the Riyadh Expo 2030 has been divided into four zones based on the exhibition’s three sub-themes, sources familiar with the bid to host the exhibition told Asharq Al-Awsat.

The sub-themes are “Prosperity for All,” “Climate Action,” and “A Different Tomorrow.” The fourth zone, however, is linked to the Kingdom’s main development plan, Vision 2030.

Each of these zones features a main pavilion covering a total area of approximately 3.4 square kilometers.

Participating countries will also have the option to construct their own pavilions or rent pre-existing structures.

In an ambitious effort to accommodate all nations at the Expo, Riyadh’s bid targets participation from 196 countries, in addition to Saudi Arabia and 29 international organizations.

This goal, while ambitious, appears achievable, considering factors such as Dubai’s hosting of Expo 2020, which welcomed 192 countries.

The organizing committee for Riyadh Expo 2030 has identified 100 qualified countries to receive dedicated facilities within a set of packages, which will be announced by the first quarter of 2030.

These packages aim to support the participation of nations lacking the necessary financial resources to cover all expenses related to their involvement in the exhibition, with selection criteria based on factors such as multilateral agreements, urban populations, and tourism appeal.

Riyadh Expo 2030 aims to empower developing nations to take the lead, offering a platform for them to showcase more compelling cultural content.

Additionally, it will provide an ideal stage for companies, sectors, and governments to promote themselves, attracting business, investment, and visitors.

Furthermore, the exhibition will allocate spaces for each region within the Expo to host their programs of events, informing participating countries and visitors about scientific, cultural, commercial, and investment opportunities.

Riyadh’s chances of winning the bid to host the Expo are on the rise, with the addition of new countries to the list of supporters.

This includes several African nations and Iran, as confirmed by Iran’s Foreign Minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, following his visit to the Kingdom in mid-August.



Contracts Awarded to Implement 1st Phase of Developing Riyadh Road Network

The Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC) headquarters. Photo: RCRC website
The Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC) headquarters. Photo: RCRC website
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Contracts Awarded to Implement 1st Phase of Developing Riyadh Road Network

The Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC) headquarters. Photo: RCRC website
The Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC) headquarters. Photo: RCRC website

The Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC) has awarded four road development contracts worth SR13 billion ($3.46 billion) as part of the first phase of the program to enhance the capital city’s transport network.

The Board of Directors of the commission announced on Thursday that the first phase of the program aims to develop the axes of the main and rings roads and link them to provide sustainable transport and logistics services in the city.

The four projects are as follows:

1. The building of a second southern ring road that extends 56 kilometers from the new Al-Kharj Road in the east to the Jeddah Road in the west. It will include four lanes for the main road in each direction and three lanes for the service road in each direction. The road will have 10 main intersections and 32 bridges.

2. Building two bridges parallel to the cable-stayed Wadi Laban Bridge and developing a 4km intersection of the western ring road with Jeddah Road. Four bridges at the intersection of the western ring road with Jeddah Road will also be built.

3. Developing the western part of the axis of Al-Thumama Road, measuring 6km, that extends from King Khalid Road in the west to King Fahd Road in the east. The construction of two main bridges and three tunnels.

4. Lengthening the Taif Road in the Laban neighborhood by 16km so that it extends to the Qiddiya Project.

In order to maintain the highest degree of traffic flow on the roads that will witness the implementation of these projects, the RCRC has developed a plan to manage traffic diversions on these roads, in partnership with the relevant authorities in the city.