JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia intends to bid to host the Expo 2030 world fair as part of the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s push to transform the kingdom’s economy and diversify it away from oil.
The Saudi capital Riyadh has submitted a formal request to host Expo 2030 under the theme “The era of change: Leading the planet to a foresighted tomorrow,” a statement said.
“We live in an era of change and we face an unprecedented need for humanity’s collective action. It is clear that the whole world, as a collective, needs to work together to foresee the future and address, with its brightest minds, the challenges and opportunities that emanate from this change,” said Prince Mohammed.
The United Arab Emirates, which is increasing economic competition with Saudi Arabia, is currently hosting the Expo 2020 world fair, which was delayed for a year by the COVID-19 pandemic.
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UAE Vice President and ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum tweeted his support for the Saudi bid, saying “We will give our brothers access to the knowledge and experience we gained throughout seven years of preparation for the Expo”.
“The effects of the Expo will extend for years, and the success of the kingdom is a success for the whole region. All the best to my brother, Mohammed bin Salman, in this project,” he said.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said UAE support confirmed the strength of the partnership between the two countries, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The bid, which was submitted to the expo organising body the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), will be led by the Royal Commission for Riyadh City.
Prince Mohammed said the 2030 Expo in Riyadh would coincide with the culmination of the kingdom’s economic reform program known as Vision 2030, and allow the kingdom to share lessons from that programme as it aims to move the country away from oil and diversify its economy.
