Saudi Crown Prince to Attend Kingdom’s Official Reception for 'Expo 2030' Bid

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (SPA)
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (SPA)
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Saudi Crown Prince to Attend Kingdom’s Official Reception for 'Expo 2030' Bid

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (SPA)
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (SPA)

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman will participate in the Kingdom’s official reception to present its candidacy to host Expo 2030.

The reception for representatives of 179 member countries of the Bureau International des Expositions, which organizes the expo, will be held on Monday in Paris.

The ceremony is an important part of the nomination procedure for countries to host the expo.

Saudi Arabia aims to showcase Riyadh’s readiness and plans to host the global event.

Voting will take place in November to choose the host city.

According to Saudi sources, the participation of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in the reception ceremony reflects the keenness of the Saudi leadership to host this global event, emphasizing their interest, support, and dedication to the success of Riyadh as the host city.

Furthermore, this aligns with commitment to the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, as the exhibition hosting presents an ideal opportunity for Riyadh to share its journey in achieving an unprecedented national transformation with nations and peoples across the world.

The presence of the Saudi Crown Prince and his attendance at the official reception ceremony for Riyadh’s bid to host Expo 2030 will undoubtedly bolster the capital’s chances of securing votes from various countries.

This is due to the global stature and esteem enjoyed by the Saudi Crown Prince.

Additionally, the meeting between the Crown Prince and the Secretary-General of the Bureau International des Expositions, Dimitri Kerkentzes, during the reception, provides an opportunity to discuss updates regarding Saudi Arabia’s candidacy and offer any necessary support for its success.

The Saudi leadership is tirelessly working towards ensuring that Riyadh’s hosting of Expo 2030 has the greatest possible impact. Their aim is to achieve their objectives, contribute to building a shared global future, and inspire participants to envision their own futures, sharing their aspirations and ambitions in new and exciting ways.

The reception, which is being held by the Royal Commission for the City of Riyadh, includes an exhibition that showcases the cultural depth of the Kingdom and its capital.

The exhibition is set to represent the rich cultural and historical depth of the Kingdom and its capital, highlighting its political and economic significance, as well as its distinctive geographic location and exceptional infrastructure.

These attributes make the Kingdom well-equipped to host major global events and occasions.

Expo 2030 is considered one of the most influential global platforms, and Riyadh is competing with three other cities for its organization. These cities are Rome, Italy, Busan, South Korea, and Odessa, Ukraine.



Saudi Crown Prince, France’s Macron Discuss Need to Restore Free Navigation in Hormuz

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and French President Emmanuel Macron meet in Riyadh in December 2024. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and French President Emmanuel Macron meet in Riyadh in December 2024. (SPA)
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Saudi Crown Prince, France’s Macron Discuss Need to Restore Free Navigation in Hormuz

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and French President Emmanuel Macron meet in Riyadh in December 2024. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and French President Emmanuel Macron meet in Riyadh in December 2024. (SPA)

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, held telephone talks on Saturday with French President Emmanuel Macron on the talks to end the war on Iran. 

In a post on the X platform, Macron said they tackled the situation in the Middle East. He renewed his support for the ceasefire, “which should be respected in full and be expanded to include Lebanon without delay.” 

“We also discussed the need to restore free and safe navigation in the Strait of Hormuz as soon as possible,” Macron added. 

“With the negotiations kicking off in Islamabad, we agreed to remain in close contact to help in de-escalation and freedom of navigation and to reach an agreement that ensures permanent peace and security in the region,” stressed Macron. 

Macron also spoke with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, urging ″respect for the ceasefire and its application to Lebanon.” 

The French leader did not mention the negotiations in Pakistan, but said he and Erdogan ″underlined the need for a robust and lasting diplomatic solution.” 

Macron has been speaking regularly with other world leaders about the war and helping lead efforts for a mission to secure shipping in the Strait of Hormuz once the fighting calms.  

He has been particularly active in pushing for peace in Lebanon, a former French protectorate with close ties to France. 

Macron said on Saturday that he had spoken with Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian, and had highlighted ‌to ‌him the ‌importance ⁠of de-escalating the current ⁠situation through the ceasefire talks in Pakistan. 

"I stressed the need for ⁠Iran to restore ‌freedom ‌of navigation and ‌security in the ‌Strait of Hormuz as quickly as possible, to which ‌France stands ready to contribute. ⁠I ⁠insisted on the importance of fully respecting the ceasefire, including in Lebanon," he said in a post on X. 

“France gives its full support to the Lebanese authorities, who are the only ones who can decide on Lebanon’s destiny.” 


Pakistani Military Force Arrives in Saudi Arabia Under Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement

The force aims to strengthen joint military coordination and elevate operational readiness between the Saudi and Pakistani armed forces. (SPA)
The force aims to strengthen joint military coordination and elevate operational readiness between the Saudi and Pakistani armed forces. (SPA)
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Pakistani Military Force Arrives in Saudi Arabia Under Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement

The force aims to strengthen joint military coordination and elevate operational readiness between the Saudi and Pakistani armed forces. (SPA)
The force aims to strengthen joint military coordination and elevate operational readiness between the Saudi and Pakistani armed forces. (SPA)

The Saudi Ministry of Defense announced on Saturday the arrival of a military force from Pakistan at King Abdulaziz Air Base in the Eastern Sector, acting in accordance with the Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement signed between the two countries.

The force, which includes fighter and support aircraft from the Pakistani Air Force, aims to strengthen joint military coordination and elevate operational readiness between the Saudi and Pakistani militaries to further support regional and international security and stability.

Riyadh ‌and Islamabad signed a mutual defense pact in September 2025, committing both sides to treat ⁠any aggression against ⁠either country as an attack on both. 


Saudi Foreign Minister, Belgian Counterpart Discuss Regional Developments

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah
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Saudi Foreign Minister, Belgian Counterpart Discuss Regional Developments

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah held a phone call with Maxime Prévost, Belgium’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Affairs, and Development Cooperation, the Saudi Press Agency said on Friday.

During the call, they discussed recent regional developments and the efforts being made to address them.