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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)
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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.

 

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Iranian Official to Asharq Al-Awsat: Committed to Peace and Stability with Saudi Arabia

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)
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Iranian Official to Asharq Al-Awsat: Committed to Peace and Stability with Saudi Arabia

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi reaffirmed Iran and Saudi Arabia’s mutual determination to establish lasting peace and stability in the region.
Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat during his visit to Riyadh, Ravanchi emphasized that achieving this goal requires sustained bilateral and regional cooperation to address current threats and build a foundation for prosperity and security.
During his meetings with the Saudi Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Eng. Waleed ElKhereiji, Ravanchi discussed strengthening bilateral relations in political, economic, and consular fields, and explored key regional and international issues.
He described Saudi-Iranian efforts as a “successful model of bilateral and multilateral cooperation,” aimed at fostering peace, security, and development on both regional and international levels. Ravanchi underscored the importance of historical ties and the principle of good neighborliness as the basis for advancing this relationship.
Following the second meeting of the Saudi-Chinese-Iranian trilateral committee in Riyadh, both Saudi Arabia and Iran reiterated their full commitment to implementing the Beijing Agreement, according to a statement by the Saudi foreign ministry. The accord, mediated by China, aims to restore diplomatic ties and promote mutual respect for sovereignty and security in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and international law.
China praised the progress achieved since the agreement’s signing, including the reopening of embassies and increased bilateral engagement. It pledged to continue supporting Saudi-Iranian efforts to deepen their cooperation and maintain regional stability.
Ravanchi, who previously served as Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations and was a member of the Iranian nuclear negotiating team with the P5+1, described the atmosphere of the meetings as “cordial and transparent.” He added that the three nations exchanged views on topics of mutual interest and stressed the importance of continuing this “positive and forward-looking process.” He also revealed “constructive and friendly” meetings held by the Iranian delegation with their Saudi hosts and Chinese counterparts, during which they discussed enhancing bilateral and trilateral cooperation and reviewed developments in relations over the past year.
One significant development has been the improvement in consular services. Over 87,000 Iranian pilgrims performed Hajj, and more than 52,000 completed Umrah in the past year, demonstrating enhanced coordination. Additionally, the first meeting of the Saudi-Iranian Joint Media Committee and the signing of an MoU between Saudi Arabia’s Prince Saud Al-Faisal Institute for Diplomatic Studies and Iran’s Institute for Political and International Studies further strengthened institutional ties.
The trilateral meeting also tackled pressing regional challenges, particularly the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The participants condemned Israel’s aggression in Palestine, Lebanon, and Iran, calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities and the continuation of humanitarian aid to affected regions. They warned that ongoing violence poses significant risks to regional and global security, including threats to maritime safety.
On Yemen, the parties reiterated their support for a comprehensive political solution under United Nations auspices. They emphasized the importance of dialogue and diplomacy to achieve lasting peace in the war-torn country.
Saudi-Iranian relations have undergone a remarkable transformation since the signing of the Beijing Agreement. The reopening of embassies, including Iran’s embassy in Riyadh in June after a seven-year hiatus, marked a turning point in their ties.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Consular Affairs Alireza Bigdeli described the day as a “historic milestone” in Saudi-Iranian relations. He expressed confidence that the renewed relationship would reach its peak, emphasizing that the restoration of ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia opens a new chapter in bilateral and regional relations, aimed at greater cooperation and stability.