Saudi Arabia took a major step toward hosting Expo 2030 Riyadh after the General Assembly of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) on Tuesday unanimously approved the Kingdom’s registration file, officially designating it as the event’s organizer.
The decision, made during the BIE’s 176th General Assembly in Issy-les-Moulineaux, just outside Paris, clears the way for the Kingdom to begin full-scale preparations for what is expected to be one of the largest and most ambitious world expos to date.
The endorsement follows Saudi Arabia’s sweeping victory in November 2023, when it won the right to host the global exhibition in the first round of voting, earning two-thirds of the member states’ support. The Kingdom outpaced strong bids from South Korea and Italy.
The official handover of the BIE flag to Ibrahim Al-Sultan, CEO of the Royal Commission for Riyadh City, symbolized the Kingdom’s elevation to host status. Al-Sultan was accompanied by Talal Al-Marri, CEO of the Expo 2030 Riyadh Authority, the body charged with executing the event.
Earlier this year, Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to France submitted the Kingdom’s registration file to BIE Secretary-General Dimitri Kerkentzes. The file outlines detailed plans for the event, including opening and closing dates, legislative and financial arrangements, a master site plan, international participation guidelines, and a long-term legacy strategy.
National priority
Speaking at the assembly, Al-Sultan described the registration as a “momentous occasion for the Kingdom and the world,” highlighting the trust placed in Saudi Arabia’s vision.
Al-Marri elaborated on the Kingdom’s vision for the event, with three core sub-themes: sustainable solutions, transformative technologies, and thriving societies. The overarching mission, he said, is to help accelerate progress toward the UN Sustainable Development Goals and Saudi Vision 2030.
Al-Marri committed to a collaborative approach with participating nations and outlined progress already made, including appointment of a lead designer, initiation of technical studies and preparatory works, and a design competition for three signature pavilions.
Expo 2030 is scheduled to open on October 1, 2030, and run through March 31, 2031. The Riyadh site is expected to host 81 national pavilions, 200 partner pavilions, 197 countries, 29 international organizations, and up to 230,000 visitors daily.
Addressing the critical issue of post-event infrastructure use, Al-Marri outlined a long-term vision to transform the Expo site into a vibrant International District, a hub of cultural, commercial, and community life.
Participating countries will have the option to convert their pavilions into permanent landmarks, contributing to Riyadh’s ongoing urban development, he revealed.
He also previewed the Kingdom’s global communications strategy, which will include a three-phase media campaign aimed at boosting awareness and engagement across all channels.
Summarizing the initiative’s ambitions, Al-Marri said the goal is to foster a collaborative international community, drive both in-person and virtual attendance, and ensure that Expo 2030 leaves a lasting global legacy.
The Expo 2030 Riyadh Authority serves as the official organizing body, overseeing all aspects of planning, design, and execution, including coordination with participating countries and partners.
BIE endorsement and global vision
After handing over the BIE flag to the Saudi delegation, the bureau issued a statement affirming that the registration “confirms Expo 2030 Riyadh’s status as a registered international exhibition,” and officially authorizes Saudi Arabia to proceed with implementation and diplomatic invitations.
Kerkentzes described the event as a leading platform for innovation and exchange, where ideas and technologies meet.
The official registration enables Saudi Arabia to begin the countdown to welcoming the world to Riyadh for six months of global dialogue, discovery, and shared progress, he said.
