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Riyadh’s Remarkable Attributes Make It an Ideal Venue for 'Expo 2030’

The Saudi economy is considered one of the most important emerging economies, and Riyadh is recognized as one of the world's leading cities in terms of growth (SPA)
The Saudi economy is considered one of the most important emerging economies, and Riyadh is recognized as one of the world's leading cities in terms of growth (SPA)
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Riyadh’s Remarkable Attributes Make It an Ideal Venue for 'Expo 2030’

The Saudi economy is considered one of the most important emerging economies, and Riyadh is recognized as one of the world's leading cities in terms of growth (SPA)
The Saudi economy is considered one of the most important emerging economies, and Riyadh is recognized as one of the world's leading cities in terms of growth (SPA)

The Saudi capital, Riyadh, is competing to host the upcoming Expo 2030, possessing the qualities that make it the ideal city to host this global event.

Saudi Arabia has been witnessing extensive developments at all levels, in addition to its pivotal role on both the global and regional levels, its involvement in decision-making, and its geographical location.

The general assembly of the Bureau International des Expositions, consisting of 170 members, is scheduled to convene on Tuesday and Wednesday to listen to the four countries that have officially submitted nominations to host Expo 2030.

- Riyadh, Elements of Success

Riyadh possesses numerous elements that make it the ideal city to host Expo 2030, and these elements highlight the advantages of the Saudi capital over its competing cities.

These advantages include its ability to innovate through its infrastructure, geographical location, thriving economy, crowd management expertise, population size, as well as high levels of security and safety.

These factors give the Saudi proposal a greater edge compared to other competing cities.

- Luminous Saudi Arabia

In recent years, Saudi Arabia has managed to become a shining beacon in the global economy, according to experts from international organizations.

The Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Kristalina Georgieva, stated that Saudi Arabia has become a bright spot in the global and regional economy, and this achievement comes during challenging times for the global economy.

Fadel al-Buainain, a member of the Saudi Shura Council, affirmed the presence of numerous factors that make Riyadh the suitable environment to host Expo 2030.

He pointed out that some of these factors can only be found in Saudi Arabia, particularly regarding its geographical location and its position as a link between the continents, facilitating the swift arrival of visitors from all around the world to Riyadh within a short period of time.

Additionally, he mentioned that approximately two billion people can reach the country in approximately four hours.

“If we combine this with the Islamic and cultural depth represented by the Kingdom, it will further enhance its competitiveness to host the expo,” al-Buainain told Asharq Al-Awsat.

- Crowd Management

The Kingdom possesses extensive expertise in crowd management, both through organizing global and regional summits and through years of supervising the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages.

“Crowd management is an important factor, and the Kingdom has acquired long-standing experience in handling crowds through its supervision of the Hajj and Umrah seasons,” said al-Bainain.

“It has the necessary expertise to be the best in crowd management, and this positively reflects on its competitiveness,” he added.

- Security, Stability

Al-Buainain further emphasized that another key factor is the security and stability that Saudi Arabia enjoys. This enhances the safety and security of visitors, providing them with a secure environment to travel throughout all regions of the Kingdom, not just Riyadh.

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Iranian Official to Asharq Al-Awsat: Committed to Peace and Stability with Saudi Arabia

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)
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Iranian Official to Asharq Al-Awsat: Committed to Peace and Stability with Saudi Arabia

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi reaffirmed Iran and Saudi Arabia’s mutual determination to establish lasting peace and stability in the region.
Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat during his visit to Riyadh, Ravanchi emphasized that achieving this goal requires sustained bilateral and regional cooperation to address current threats and build a foundation for prosperity and security.
During his meetings with the Saudi Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Eng. Waleed ElKhereiji, Ravanchi discussed strengthening bilateral relations in political, economic, and consular fields, and explored key regional and international issues.
He described Saudi-Iranian efforts as a “successful model of bilateral and multilateral cooperation,” aimed at fostering peace, security, and development on both regional and international levels. Ravanchi underscored the importance of historical ties and the principle of good neighborliness as the basis for advancing this relationship.
Following the second meeting of the Saudi-Chinese-Iranian trilateral committee in Riyadh, both Saudi Arabia and Iran reiterated their full commitment to implementing the Beijing Agreement, according to a statement by the Saudi foreign ministry. The accord, mediated by China, aims to restore diplomatic ties and promote mutual respect for sovereignty and security in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and international law.
China praised the progress achieved since the agreement’s signing, including the reopening of embassies and increased bilateral engagement. It pledged to continue supporting Saudi-Iranian efforts to deepen their cooperation and maintain regional stability.
Ravanchi, who previously served as Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations and was a member of the Iranian nuclear negotiating team with the P5+1, described the atmosphere of the meetings as “cordial and transparent.” He added that the three nations exchanged views on topics of mutual interest and stressed the importance of continuing this “positive and forward-looking process.” He also revealed “constructive and friendly” meetings held by the Iranian delegation with their Saudi hosts and Chinese counterparts, during which they discussed enhancing bilateral and trilateral cooperation and reviewed developments in relations over the past year.
One significant development has been the improvement in consular services. Over 87,000 Iranian pilgrims performed Hajj, and more than 52,000 completed Umrah in the past year, demonstrating enhanced coordination. Additionally, the first meeting of the Saudi-Iranian Joint Media Committee and the signing of an MoU between Saudi Arabia’s Prince Saud Al-Faisal Institute for Diplomatic Studies and Iran’s Institute for Political and International Studies further strengthened institutional ties.
The trilateral meeting also tackled pressing regional challenges, particularly the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The participants condemned Israel’s aggression in Palestine, Lebanon, and Iran, calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities and the continuation of humanitarian aid to affected regions. They warned that ongoing violence poses significant risks to regional and global security, including threats to maritime safety.
On Yemen, the parties reiterated their support for a comprehensive political solution under United Nations auspices. They emphasized the importance of dialogue and diplomacy to achieve lasting peace in the war-torn country.
Saudi-Iranian relations have undergone a remarkable transformation since the signing of the Beijing Agreement. The reopening of embassies, including Iran’s embassy in Riyadh in June after a seven-year hiatus, marked a turning point in their ties.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Consular Affairs Alireza Bigdeli described the day as a “historic milestone” in Saudi-Iranian relations. He expressed confidence that the renewed relationship would reach its peak, emphasizing that the restoration of ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia opens a new chapter in bilateral and regional relations, aimed at greater cooperation and stability.