Decision Day: Which City Will Secure Hosting Rights for Expo 2030?

The vote for the host city of the 2030 World Expo is set to take place in Paris on Nov.28. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The vote for the host city of the 2030 World Expo is set to take place in Paris on Nov.28. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
TT
20

Decision Day: Which City Will Secure Hosting Rights for Expo 2030?

The vote for the host city of the 2030 World Expo is set to take place in Paris on Nov.28. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The vote for the host city of the 2030 World Expo is set to take place in Paris on Nov.28. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The general assembly of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) will convene in Paris on Tuesday to vote on the selection of the winning city to host Expo 2030.

The member states of the assembly will vote on one of three files: Saudi Arabia (Riyadh), South Korea (Busan), and Italy (Rome).

Each of the candidates will make a final presentation of their project, after which the eligible and present members of the assembly will vote via secret ballot using electronic voting, with each country having only one vote.

The competition among the three contenders remains intense until the final moments.

Saudi Arabia’s bid for Riyadh will take centerstage, promising an “unprecedented edition” of the world fair.

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol concluded a visit to France on Sunday, participating in the final campaign to promote Busan as the host city.

He called for support for Busan’s bid, emphasizing that it would serve as a platform for global challenges and an opportunity for South Korea to reciprocate the support it received from the international community during its economic development.

Simultaneously, Italy is seeking to host the event in its capital, Rome, aiming to boost its economy, reminiscent of the economic upturn experienced when Milan hosted Expo 2015.

Saudi Arabia, as expressed by several high-ranking officials overseeing Riyadh’s bid campaign, also affirmed its commitment to hosting Expo 2030.

The Kingdom is looking to enhance the world’s ability to reshape the planet towards a better future by transforming the international event into a platform for cooperation and knowledge exchange.

To achieve this, Riyadh has allocated a budget of $7.2 billion for organizing the expo, part of Saudi Arabia’s overarching national transformation plan of Vision 2030.

Ibrahim bin Muhammad Al-Sultan, CEO of the Royal Commission for Riyadh City, emphasized the Kingdom’s commitment to completing the Expo 2030 hosting site well in advance of the specified deadlines.

By 2028, all preparations for hosting Expo 2030 will be ready, said Al-Sultan.



Saudi Energy Minister Announces New 8 Arabian Oil, 6 Natural Gas Discoveries

Saudi Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz. Reuters file photo
Saudi Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz. Reuters file photo
TT
20

Saudi Energy Minister Announces New 8 Arabian Oil, 6 Natural Gas Discoveries

Saudi Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz. Reuters file photo
Saudi Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz. Reuters file photo

Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz announced that the Saudi Arabian Oil Company -Saudi Aramco- has discovered fourteen Arabian oil and natural gas fields and reservoirs in Eastern Region and the Empty Quarter. The discoveries include six fields and two reservoirs of Arabian oil, as well as two fields and four reservoirs of natural gas.
The minister extended his congratulations to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Prime Minister on these discoveries, expressing his wishes for continued growth, development, and prosperity for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its people, SPA reported.
Prince Abdulaziz stated that "Jabu" oil field has been discovered in Eastern Region, following the flow of Arabian Extra Light Oil in "Jabu-1" well at a rate of 800 barrels per day (bpd). "Sayahid "oil field was also discovered, where Arabian Extra Light Oil flowed in "Sayahid-2" well at a rate of 630 bpd. Additionally, "Ayfan" oil field was discovered, where Arabian Extra Light Oil in "Ayfan-2" well flowed at a rate of 2,840 bpd, with 0.44 million standard cubic feet (MMscf) of associated gas per day. Furthermore, "Jubaila" oil reservoir has been discovered in "Berri" field after Arabian Light Oil flowed in " Berri-907" well at a rate of 520 bpd, associated with 0.2 MMscf of gas per day. In addition, "Unayzah-A" oil reservoir was discovered in "Mazalij" field after the flow of Arabian Super Light Oil in "Mazalij-64" well at a rate of 1,011 bpd, along with 0.92 MMscf of associated gas per day.
In the Empty Quarter, "Nuwayr" oil field has been discovered after the flow of Arabian Medium Oil in "Nuwayr-1" well at a rate of 1,800 bpd, with 0.55 MMscf of associated gas per day. Additionally, the oil field "Damda" was discovered, where Arabian Medium Oil flowed in "Damda-1" well at a rate of 200 bpd from "Mishrif-C" reservoir, while Arabian Extra Light Oil flowed from "Mishrif-D" reservoir in the same well at a rate of 115 bpd. Also, the discovery of "Qurqas" oil field was confirmed after Arabian Medium Oil flowed in "Qurqas-1" well at a rate of 210 bpd.
For natural gas, the minister of energy announced the discovery of "Ghizlan" gas field in Eastern Region, where gas flowed in " Ghizlan-1" well at a rate of 32 MMscf per day from "Unayzah B/C" reservoir, with 2,525 barrels of condensate. Also, "Araam" gas field was discovered after gas flowed in "Araam-1" well from "Unayzah B/C" reservoir at a rate of 24 MMscf per day with 3,000 barrels of condensate.
"Qusaiba" unconventional gas reservoir was also discovered in "Mihwaz" field in Eastern Region, where gas flowed in "Mihwaz-193101" well at a rate of 3.5 MMscf per day, with 485 barrels of condensates.
In the Empty Quarter, "Arab-C" gas reservoir was discovered in "Marzouq" field, where gas flowed in "Marzouq-8" well at a rate of 9.5 MMscf per day. The same well also resulted in the discovery of "Arab-D" gas reservoir, after the flow of gas at a rate of 10 MMscf per day. Additionally, the "Upper Jubaila" gas reservoir was discovered from the same well, where gas flowed at a rate of 1.5 MMscf per day.
Finally, Prince Abdulaziz stressed on the importance of the added value that these discoveries represent, solidifying the Kingdom’s leading position in the global energy sector, and reinforcing its rich hydrocarbon potential. Citing that such discoveries will lead to opening new horizons for the Kingdom’s economic development and strengthening its ability to meet both domestic and global energy demand efficiently and sustainably for decades to come. These discoveries will also support sustained economic growth and prosperity, in line with Vision 2030 and Saudi Arabia’s ambitious goals to fully harness its natural resources and enhance global energy security.