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)
TT
20

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.



Saudi Ports See 13.61% Growth in Container Volume in March 2025

Saudi Ports See 13.61% Growth in Container Volume in March 2025
TT
20

Saudi Ports See 13.61% Growth in Container Volume in March 2025

Saudi Ports See 13.61% Growth in Container Volume in March 2025

Ports overseen by the Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) reported a 13.61% increase in handled containers in March 2025, reaching 699,928 TEUs, compared to 616,079 TEUs in March 2024. Exported containers saw a significant rise of 31.82%, reaching 280,341 TEUs compared to 212,672 TEUs, while imported containers increased by 7.78%, reaching 281,216 TEUs compared to 260,912 TEUs, SPA reported.
Transshipment containers decreased by 2.89%, totaling 138,371 TEUs, down from 142,495 TEUs in the previous year.
Total handled tonnage, encompassing general cargo, solid bulk cargo, and liquid bulk cargo, also saw an 8.69% increase, reaching 21,181,246 tons compared to 19,488,335 tons in the same period of 2024. This included 971,850 tons of general cargo, 4,515,924 tons of solid bulk cargo, and 15,693,472 tons of liquid bulk cargo.
Livestock arrivals at the ports reached 870,566, marking a 9.42% decrease from the 961,131 head recorded in the previous year.
Mawani's exported containers surged by 18.25% in February 2025, reaching 215,491 TEUs, a notable increase from the 182,229 TEUs handled in February 2024.