Gulf Countries Congratulate King Salman on Saudi Arabia’s Winning Bid to Host 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)

06:50-29 November 2023 AD ـ 16 Jumada Al-Ula 1445 AH

05:49-29 November 2023 AD ـ 16 Jumada Al-Ula 1445 AH

06:50-29 November 2023 AD ـ 16 Jumada Al-Ula 1445 AH

05:49-29 November 2023 AD ـ 16 Jumada Al-Ula 1445 AH

Gulf Countries Congratulate King Salman on Saudi Arabia’s Winning Bid to Host 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)

Gulf countries and organizations congratulated on Tuesday Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud on Saudi Arabia winning its bid to host World Expo 2030 in Riyadh.

Kuwaiti Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah sent a message of congratulations to King Salman on the occasion.

Sheikh Mishal stressed that this distinguished achievement is a source of pride and honor for the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member countries and the sisterly Arab countries.

It symbolizes the great confidence of the international community in the competence of the Kingdom and its great capabilities in organizing international events and hosting the World Expo, he added.

He wished for King Salman continued health, hoping he will achieve all progress and prosperity for the Kingdom and its honorable people under the wise leadership.

Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah also sent King Salman a similar cable on the occasion.

Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Deputy Emir Qatar Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani, and Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani also congratulated King Salman on the winning bid.

In a cable to King Salman, Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa described the success as an embodiment of the Kingdom’s significant international standing.

It is the latest in the series of achievements it has accomplished in all fields, he added.

King Hamad praised the close historical and fraternal relations between Saudi Arabia and Bahrain and their brotherly peoples and the high level they have reached in all fields.

He wished the Kingdom and its people continued progress and prosperity under the wise leadership of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques.

Bahrain’s Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa sent a similar cable to King Salman and another to Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

Oman congratulated Saudi Arabia on its victory in hosting Expo 2030 in the city of Riyadh.

In a statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it expressed its full confidence in the capabilities of the Kingdom in organizing Expo 2030 in a way that will bring more benefits to the entire region and elevate the status of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and their attractiveness in hosting major international events.

GCC Secretary General Jassem Mohamed Albudaiwi congratulated King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed on Riyadh’s successful bid.

He stressed that the win is a great indication of the Kingdom's distinguished international standing, high ability and professionalism in organizing such global events.

Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Secretary General Hussein Ibrahim Taha echoed Albudaiwi’s remarks, adding that the success was the result of relentless and intense efforts by the Saudi leadership.

He wished Saudi Arabia further success, stating that selecting Riyadh to host the World Expo is a triumph not only for the Kingdom but the entire Islamic world.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) congratulated the Kingdom on its successful bid.

ICESCO Director-General Dr. Salim M. Al-Malik said the victory is the latest achievement by the Kingdom under the wise leadership of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed.

He added that the event embodies the success of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, which includes among its ambitious goals transforming Riyadh into one of the top 10 cities in the world.

Riyadh’s hosting of this global event is an opportunity to highlight Islamic culture and its contributions to human civilization throughout history, he remarked.

Arab Parliament Speaker Adel Al-Asoomi congratulated Saudi Arabia on the winning bid.

The achievement reflects the progress made under the leadership of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed, which under their guidance, has steered the march of comprehensive development across various sectors, he noted.

In a statement, the Arab Parliament described the hosting of Expo 2030 as a significant Arab achievement that enhances the Kingdom’s position as a leading global destination in the fields of trade, culture, and development.

Saudi Arabia: High-Level Readiness for Hajj Season

Prince Saud bin Mishaal chairs Hajj and Umrah committee meeting in Makkah

Jeddah: Asharq Al Awsat

19:22-1 April 2026 AD ـ 13 Shawwal 1447 AH

Jeddah: Asharq Al Awsat

19:22-1 April 2026 AD ـ 13 Shawwal 1447 AH

Saudi Arabia: High-Level Readiness for Hajj Season

Prince Saud bin Mishaal chairs Hajj and Umrah committee meeting in Makkah

Saudi authorities on Wednesday reviewed preparedness for this year’s Hajj season, assessing operational plans and readiness indicators as officials called for intensified coordination ahead of the annual pilgrimage.

The permanent Hajj and Umrah committee, chaired by Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz, examined scenarios already implemented and others planned to ensure full readiness, in a meeting held under directives from Prince Khalid bin Faisal bin Abdulaziz.

Prince Saud bin Mishaal thanked agencies involved in the Ramadan Umrah season, citing extensive logistical and human support from the Saudi leadership that helped deliver smooth operations for visitors to the Grand Mosque.

Officials reviewed Ramadan performance across transport, ambulance and healthcare services, reporting no epidemics or incidents.

The meeting also covered the departure phase of Umrah performers via King Abdulaziz International Airport, and progress on upgrading the Hajj and Umrah terminal complex, with its first and second phases completed.

In Madinah, Prince Salman bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz chaired a parallel meeting of the regional Hajj and Umrah committee, attended by his deputy, Prince Saud bin Nahar bin Saud bin Abdulaziz, to review government preparations for the upcoming season.

Prince Salman congratulated agencies on the success of Ramadan operations, saying coordinated plans enabled visitors to perform rituals in a calm and secure environment.

He said the results reflect sustained leadership support for the Two Holy Mosques and their visitors, highlighting oversight by Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz to enhance services and ensure safety.

He stressed the need for full readiness across government, service and volunteer sectors, calling for proactive planning and stronger coordination to reinforce facilities and services in line with the care provided to pilgrims.

The Madinah meeting issued recommendations to support relevant entities and ensure high-quality services for visitors to the Prophet’s Mosque during Hajj.

Prince Salman was also briefed by the Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfiq al-Rabiah, accompanied by Pilgrim Experience Program CEO Mohammed Ismail, on a digital dashboard designed to track the readiness of Hajj projects and improve coordination.

Al-Rabiah said the platform enables continuous monitoring through daily updates, including readiness plans and performance indicators, project progress in the holy sites, alignment of operational plans, and integration with a central database.

Prince Salman also reviewed the Hajj and Umrah sector’s indicators platform, which presents real-time data and analysis on services provided to pilgrims. The platform supports decision-making by delivering timely, precise data, enhancing monitoring efficiency and strengthening system-wide readiness within an integrated institutional framework.

Gulf

UAE Air Defenses Intercept 5 Ballistic Missiles, 35 UAVs

UAE air defenses on Wednesday engaged 5 ballistic missiles and 35 UAVs launched from Iran (AFP).

Asharq Al Awsat

15:30-1 April 2026 AD ـ 13 Shawwal 1447 AH

Asharq Al Awsat

15:30-1 April 2026 AD ـ 13 Shawwal 1447 AH

UAE Air Defenses Intercept 5 Ballistic Missiles, 35 UAVs

UAE air defenses on Wednesday engaged 5 ballistic missiles and 35 UAVs launched from Iran (AFP).

The UAE air defenses on Wednesday intercepted 5 ballistic missiles and 35 UAVs launched from Iran, according to the Emirates News Agency (WAM).

The agency said that, since the start of the Iranian attacks, UAE air defenses have engaged 438 ballistic missiles, 19 cruise missiles and 2,012 UAVs.

A WAM statement said the attacks resulted in the martyrdom of two members of the armed forces while performing their national duty, in addition to the death of a Moroccan civilian contracted by the Armed Forces, as well as nine civilian fatalities of Pakistani, Nepali, Bangladeshi, Palestinian and Indian nationalities.

A total of 190 people were also injured, with injuries ranging from minor to moderate and severe, from various nationalities including Emirati, Egyptian, Sudanese, Ethiopian, Filipino, Pakistani, Iranian and Indian.

The Ministry of Defense affirmed that it remains fully prepared and ready to deal with any threats and will firmly confront anything that aims to undermine the country’s security, in a manner that preserves its sovereignty and stability and protects its interests and national capabilities.