Saudi Crown Prince Attends Paris Reception for Riyadh’s Expo 2030 Bid

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman attending the reception ceremony for Riyadh's bid to host Expo 2030 (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman attending the reception ceremony for Riyadh's bid to host Expo 2030 (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Crown Prince Attends Paris Reception for Riyadh’s Expo 2030 Bid

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman attending the reception ceremony for Riyadh's bid to host Expo 2030 (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman attending the reception ceremony for Riyadh's bid to host Expo 2030 (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Arabia’s capital, Riyadh, demonstrated its organizational prowess in hosting Expo 2030 in the esteemed presence of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

The city’s remarkable capabilities were highlighted as it presented the most prominent proposal to host this global event by the end of the decade.

Through the presented proposal, Riyadh revealed an allocated budget for organizing the event, amounting to approximately $7.3 billion. This budget is divided into $5.85 billion for capital expenses and $1.47 billion for operational expenses.

The personal involvement of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in the official reception of the Kingdom’s bid to host Expo 2030 in the French capital, Paris, sends a clear message about Saudi Arabia’s commitment to organizing this globally renowned trade event.

The Royal Commission for Riyadh City presented its proposal for hosting Expo 2030, which is expected to be held under the overarching theme of “The Age of Change: Together for a Foresighted Future.”

The proposal encompasses three sub-themes: “A Better Tomorrow,” “Climate Action,” and “Prosperity for All.”

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman highlighted the significance of the Expo’s main theme, stating that the Kingdom’s hosting of the event will coincide with a year of celebrating the culmination of efforts aimed at achieving the goals of Vision 2030.

Riyadh’s proposal addressed the projected global population of around 10 billion people by the year 2050, emphasizing the importance of enabling them to live in favorable conditions and lead prosperous lives.

This can be achieved through global innovation and technology, as well as by addressing challenges related to climate and environmental changes.

Additionally, the proposal emphasized the importance of providing equal opportunities and equality for all individuals.

The reception ceremony in Paris was organized on the eve of the General Assembly of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), scheduled for Tuesday.

Representatives from 179 member countries attended the ceremony to learn about Riyadh’s readiness, plans, and projects for hosting the expo.

This served as a prelude to the voting process that will determine the host city for this event at the next BIE General Assembly meeting, scheduled to take place in November.

It is expected that Expo 2030 will attract around 40 million visitors to the site, along with one billion virtual visitors.

 



EU, Gulf States Urge Iran to End Attacks Threatening 'Global Security'

EU and Gulf ministers called following crisis talks Thursday for Iran to immediately end "indiscriminate" attacks across the region (EU)
EU and Gulf ministers called following crisis talks Thursday for Iran to immediately end "indiscriminate" attacks across the region (EU)
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EU, Gulf States Urge Iran to End Attacks Threatening 'Global Security'

EU and Gulf ministers called following crisis talks Thursday for Iran to immediately end "indiscriminate" attacks across the region (EU)
EU and Gulf ministers called following crisis talks Thursday for Iran to immediately end "indiscriminate" attacks across the region (EU)

EU and Gulf ministers called following crisis talks Thursday for Iran to immediately end "indiscriminate" attacks across the region in retaliation for US-Israeli attacks, warning global security was at stake.

The foreign ministers met by video link as Iran stepped up attacks on countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council.

"The ministers strongly condemned the unjustifiable Iranian attacks against the GCC countries which threaten regional and global security and called on Iran to cease immediately its attacks," said a joint statement issued afterwards, AFP reported.

Addressing the fallout of "indiscriminate" Iranian attacks, they also "affirmed that the GCC states have the right to take all necessary measures" to defend themselves.

EU and Gulf ministers jointly reaffirmed their "unwavering commitment to dialogue and diplomacy" as a means to resolve the crisis.

They pledged "joint diplomatic efforts" for a lasting solution to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon and for it to "cease production and proliferation" of ballistic missiles and drones.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, who chaired the talks, earlier said the bloc was looking to help Gulf nations fend off Iranian drone strikes, but warned supplies of relevant kit might be limited.

Speaking ahead of the talks, Kallas warned production of drone interceptors would struggle to keep up with high demand both in Ukraine and now the Middle East.

"Everybody has the need for air defense... So there is really a problem with production," she told journalists in Brussels, adding Europe needed to "speed up" production.

"I'm worried that the capabilities are limited," she said.


Saudi Arabia Strongly Condemns Iranian Attempts to Target Türkiye, Azerbaijan

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs logo
The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs logo
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Saudi Arabia Strongly Condemns Iranian Attempts to Target Türkiye, Azerbaijan

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs logo
The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs logo

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly condemned on Thursday Iran's attempts to target Türkiye and Azerbaijan.

The Kingdom stressed that “these cowardly attempts and Iran's repeated blatant aggression against countries in the region reveal a hostile approach that cannot be justified.”

This behavior “clearly violates international laws, norms, and the principles of good neighborliness while pushing the region toward further escalation,” the ministry said.

The Kingdom expressed its full solidarity with the governments and peoples of Türkiye and Azerbaijan, affirming their right to protect their security, airspace, territorial integrity, and citizens, and commended their efforts to avoid escalation and maintain regional security and stability.


6 Injured in Abu Dhabi by Debris from Intercepted Drone

FILE PHOTO: Smoke billows from Zayed port after an Iranian attack in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, March 1, 2026. REUTERS/Abdelhadi Ramahi/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Smoke billows from Zayed port after an Iranian attack in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, March 1, 2026. REUTERS/Abdelhadi Ramahi/File Photo
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6 Injured in Abu Dhabi by Debris from Intercepted Drone

FILE PHOTO: Smoke billows from Zayed port after an Iranian attack in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, March 1, 2026. REUTERS/Abdelhadi Ramahi/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Smoke billows from Zayed port after an Iranian attack in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, March 1, 2026. REUTERS/Abdelhadi Ramahi/File Photo

Falling debris from an intercepted drone injured six people in the Emirati capital Abu Dhabi on Thursday, the UAE's media office said.

"Authorities in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi responded to an incident involving falling debris at two locations in the ICAD 2 area, following the successful interception of a drone by air defenses.

The incident resulted in six minor to moderate injuries to Pakistani and Nepalese nationals," Abu Dhabi media office said in a statement.