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OIC Backs Saudi Arabia’s Bid to Host World Expo 2030

Dr. Yousef bin Ahmed Al-Othaimeen. Reuters file photo
Dr. Yousef bin Ahmed Al-Othaimeen. Reuters file photo
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OIC Backs Saudi Arabia’s Bid to Host World Expo 2030

Dr. Yousef bin Ahmed Al-Othaimeen. Reuters file photo
Dr. Yousef bin Ahmed Al-Othaimeen. Reuters file photo

Organization of Islamic Cooperation Secretary-General Yousef bin Ahmed Al-Othaimeen has stressed the OIC’s support for Saudi Arabia’s bid to host Expo 2030 in Riyadh.

The bid has been announced by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense.

Othaimeen said: “Hosting Expo 2030 in Saudi Arabia will be a coronation for the huge efforts exerted to realize Saudi Vision 2030 and a real view of its products and outcomes.”

He added that the Kingdom has in the past succeeded in hosting major international summits and events, whether virtually or in person.

The secretary-general noted that the Kingdom’s hosting of Expo 2030 will offer an opportunity for the world to “benefit from the Saudi experiment in making qualitative leaps in all sectors.”

He added that the event “embodies the entrepreneurship and status of Saudi Arabia” as a major investment and economic destination, in addition to the Kingdom being among the top developed countries in the field of artificial intelligence, among others.

Othaimeen said that the Saudi citizen has a lot to offer at the event in terms of technology, international cooperation, economics, commerce, arts, culture, and science.

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Al Khateeb: Tourism Sector Tops Agenda at WEF Annual Meeting 2025 in Davos

A landmark is lit up in the colors of the national flag in Diriyah on the occasion of Saudi National Day. (SPA file photo)
A landmark is lit up in the colors of the national flag in Diriyah on the occasion of Saudi National Day. (SPA file photo)
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Al Khateeb: Tourism Sector Tops Agenda at WEF Annual Meeting 2025 in Davos

A landmark is lit up in the colors of the national flag in Diriyah on the occasion of Saudi National Day. (SPA file photo)
A landmark is lit up in the colors of the national flag in Diriyah on the occasion of Saudi National Day. (SPA file photo)

Saudi Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al Khateeb stressed on Monday that Saudi Arabia's participation in the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting 2025 in Davos, Switzerland, underscores its steadfast commitment to shaping the global dialogue on travel and tourism as key drivers of economic growth and cultural exchange.

Speaking to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), Al Khateeb highlighted that tourism is a central focus at this year’s forum, with Saudi Arabia showcasing its achievements and fostering partnerships to drive the sector’s global growth.

He emphasized that Saudi Arabia's tourism sector is experiencing unprecedented expansion under Saudi Vision 2030 and the National Transformation Program, positioning the Kingdom as a leading global destination with an ambitious goal of welcoming 150 million tourists annually.

The minister noted that tourism currently contributes 5% to Saudi Arabia's GDP, with projections to double to 10% by 2030. This growth is fueled by strategic investments in groundbreaking projects such as the Red Sea Project, Diriyah, and Qiddiya, alongside numerous private-sector initiatives that are boosting tourism across the Kingdom.

Saudi Arabia is leveraging its natural and cultural assets to establish a global benchmark for tourism-led economic development, he added.

Al Khateeb also highlighted tourism's vital role in the global economy, citing the 2023 Economic Impact Report (EIR) by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), which revealed that the global travel and tourism sector contributed 9.1% to global GDP—a 23.2% increase from the previous year.

He described Saudi Arabia's participation in Davos as an opportunity to amplify its achievements through collaboration with global leaders, strengthen public-private partnerships, and reinforce its role as a hub for international cooperation.