Saudi Crown Prince Congratulates King Salman on Riyadh’s Win to Host World Expo 2030 

A light display created using drones is performed after Riyadh won the right to host the 2030 World Expo at King Abdullah Financial District in Riyadh, on November 28, 2023. (AFP)
A light display created using drones is performed after Riyadh won the right to host the 2030 World Expo at King Abdullah Financial District in Riyadh, on November 28, 2023. (AFP)
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Saudi Crown Prince Congratulates King Salman on Riyadh’s Win to Host World Expo 2030 

A light display created using drones is performed after Riyadh won the right to host the 2030 World Expo at King Abdullah Financial District in Riyadh, on November 28, 2023. (AFP)
A light display created using drones is performed after Riyadh won the right to host the 2030 World Expo at King Abdullah Financial District in Riyadh, on November 28, 2023. (AFP)

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, extended on Tuesday congratulations to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz on Saudi Arabia winning the bid to host the World Expo 2030 in Riyadh.

This momentous announcement was made on Tuesday by the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), which designated the Kingdom as the host for this global event, scheduled to take place from October 2030 until March 2031.

Expressing gratitude to the nations that supported the Kingdom's bid, as well as to the two competing countries, the Crown Prince said: "The Kingdom's selection as the host of the World Expo 2030 underlines its influential and leading role, and the international confidence it enjoys. Saudi Arabia has become an ideal destination for hosting major international events, including the esteemed World Expo."

Reaffirming the Kingdom's commitment to holding an extraordinary and unparalleled edition of the World Expo, Crown Prince Mohammed emphasized the importance of being an active and positive role model in the drive to shape a brighter future for humanity. The Expo is bound to provide a global platform that leverages cutting-edge technologies and brings together the brightest minds to capitalize on opportunities and address the challenges that the planet faces today.

"The World Expo 2030 coincides with a crucial year for the realization of the goals and plans outlined in Saudi Vision 2030," stated the Crown Prince.

"This Expo represents a remarkable opportunity to share with the world the lessons learned from our unprecedented journey of transformation."

Crown Prince Mohammed stressed Riyadh’s readiness to welcome the world at Expo 2030, and the fact that it will fulfill the obligations stipulated in the bid with the aim of achieving the main theme of the expo, “The Era of Change: Together for a Foresighted Tomorrow”, and its sub-topics: “A Different Tomorrow”, “Climate Action” and “Prosperity for All”.

Riyadh is the capital of a country that enjoys a strategic and important geographical location. The country acts as an important bridge linking continents, which makes it an attractive destination for the most prominent international forums, global investments and visits, and a gateway to the world.

Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the 2030 World Expo in Riyadh has received great direct support from the Crown Prince ever since it announced on October 29, 2021 that it had submitted an official application to BIE, the organizing body for the World Expo.

BIE announced that the Kingdom will be hosting the exhibition after a secret ballot cast during the 173rd General Assembly of BIE in Paris.

The Kingdom’s bid received 119 votes from member states. Two other cities competed alongside Riyadh: Busan, in South Korea, and Rome, in Italy.

Held since 1851, World Expos is the largest global platform for presenting the latest achievements and technologies, promoting international cooperation in economic development, trade, arts and culture, and disseminating science and technology.



Albudaiwi: Continued Iranian Attacks on Kuwait Constitute Dangerous and Unacceptable Escalation

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi. SPA
Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi. SPA
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Albudaiwi: Continued Iranian Attacks on Kuwait Constitute Dangerous and Unacceptable Escalation

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi. SPA
Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi. SPA

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi expressed his condemnation and denunciation in the strongest possible terms of the continued hostile Iranian attacks targeting the State of Kuwait.

Albudaiwi said that these actions represent a dangerous and irresponsible escalation, a blatant violation of the sovereignty of the State of Kuwait and all international laws and norms, and a direct threat to regional security and stability, underscoring that the continuation of these aggressive assaults reflects an unacceptable Iranian approach that undermines all efforts aimed at maintaining security and stability, SPA reported.

He called upon the international community and the United Nations Security Council to assume their responsibilities and take a firm, deterrent stance against these serious violations that threaten regional and international peace and security.

The GCC secretary-general stressed that the security of the State of Kuwait is an indivisible part of the security of the GCC nations.

"The GCC states stand in a united and steadfast position alongside the State of Kuwait, fully supporting all measures and steps it undertakes to protect its security, safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity, and maintain the safety of its citizens and residents," he concluded.


Saudi Arabia Strongly Condemns 'Heinous' Iranian Attacks against Kuwait

File photo of the Saudi flag/AAWSAT
File photo of the Saudi flag/AAWSAT
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Saudi Arabia Strongly Condemns 'Heinous' Iranian Attacks against Kuwait

File photo of the Saudi flag/AAWSAT
File photo of the Saudi flag/AAWSAT

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia expressed its strongest condemnation of and denunciation against the repeated and heinous Iranian attacks targeting the State of Kuwait, the Saudi Press Agency said on Monday.

“The Kingdom reiterates its categorical rejection of these assaults that undermine the sovereignty of the State of Kuwait, constituting a clear violation of international law and the United Nations Charter, and affirms that such violations jeopardize international efforts aimed at restoring security and stability in the region", the ministry said in a statement.

The Kingdom also expressed its solidarity with the State of Kuwait, both government and people, reaffirming its full support for all measures Kuwait takes to safeguard its sovereignty, security, stability, and its brotherly people.


Kuwait Army Says Air Defenses Intercepted Missile, Drone Attacks

An aerial view shows Kuwait City. (Reuters file)
An aerial view shows Kuwait City. (Reuters file)
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Kuwait Army Says Air Defenses Intercepted Missile, Drone Attacks

An aerial view shows Kuwait City. (Reuters file)
An aerial view shows Kuwait City. (Reuters file)

Kuwait's air defenses intercepted missile and drone attacks, the military said Monday, with the country blaming Iran.

"The General Staff of the Army wishes to advise that any sounds of explosions heard are the result of air defense systems intercepting these hostile attacks," the army said in a post on X.

The foreign ministry later said in a statement that it was "holding Iran fully responsible for these heinous attacks".

KUNA, the state news agency, reported that air raid sirens sounded across the Gulf nation.

The attacks come despite a ceasefire in place between the United States and Iran.