Saudi and US foreign ministers sign pact on US participation in Expo 2030 Riyadh

ATLANTA: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday signed a framework agreement on US participation in Expo 2030 Riyadh. According to the Saudi Press Agency, the signing took place after the two leaders met on the sidelines of the G20 foreign ministers’ meeting.

The meeting reviewed the strategic relations between Saudi Arabia and the United States. It also considered ways to expand cooperation in priority areas and discussed the regional situation and the challenges facing the Middle East. Saudi Ambassador to the United States Princess Reema bint Bandar was also present.

Under the agreement, the United States has been recognised as an “official participant” in Expo 2030 Riyadh. The two countries now have a formal framework to move preparations forward.

Saudi Arabia won the right to host the event in Paris in November 2023, at the 173rd General Assembly of the Bureau International des Expositions. Riyadh received 119 of the 165 eligible votes in the first round and defeated Busan in South Korea and Rome in Italy.

The Expo will run from 1 October 2030 to 31 March 2031. Its theme is “The Era of Change: Together for a Foresighted Tomorrow”. Its sub-themes are “A Different Tomorrow”, “Climate Action” and “Prosperity for All”.

The exhibition will be held on a designated site of six million square metres in north Riyadh, near the King Salman International Airport project. Organisers expect more than 195 countries and international organisations to take part and more than 40 million visitors.

According to Saudi officials, it is being developed as a carbon-free programme powered by clean energy. It will be the first world Expo in Saudi Arabia. It will also be the second registered world Expo in the Gulf after Expo 2020 Dubai, which drew more than 24 million visitors.