ISSY-LES-MOULINEAUX, France (AP) — Saudi Arabia’s capital, Riyadh, will host the 2030 World’s Fair on Tuesday, beating out Rome and South Korea’s port city of Busan in a bid focused on shaping a prosperous and sustainable future. was elected to. The event is expected to attract millions of visitors.
Members of the Paris-based Bureau International des Expositions chose Riyadh with 119 out of 165 votes at a closed-door meeting in the suburb of Issy-les-Moulineaux. Busan received 29 votes and Rome 17 votes. The result was greeted with applause by the Saudi delegation.
Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, welcomed the vote as “an expression of the international community’s confidence in what we have to offer.” Because this is a common path to prosperity for all countries of the world.”
“We are determined to meet expectations and deliver an outstanding fair,” he said.
Saudi plans include a massive public transport network and a futuristic, circular space with public parks, e-gaming facilities, large-scale performance stages and gyms. The project includes a focus on “accelerating innovation” to protect natural ecosystems.
“The legacy of Riyadh Expo 2030 will go beyond buildings,” Prince Faisal added, promising “fantastic” architecture. “We are talking about a journey, a journey that brings the world together… This will be our legacy, we will work together for a brighter, more prosperous future.”
Saudi Arabia hopes the Expo will bring 40 million visitors to its capital.
With the stakes high, each city stepped up its campaign efforts, showcasing unique visions and ambitious promises to secure the rights to the globally prestigious event.
Saudi Arabia has launched a significant marketing campaign that includes a “Riyadh 2030” exhibition near the Eiffel Tower and extensive advertising throughout Paris. The Saudi proposal, which aims to diversify the kingdom’s economy and strengthen its international reputation, received official support, especially from French President Emmanuel Macron.
Some activists condemned Riyadh’s candidacy over allegations that the country violated human rights, including the 2018 killing and dismemberment of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul.
US intelligence agencies assess that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was behind the murder; This was rejected by Riyadh, which is pushing ahead with the prince’s massive construction projects aimed at slowly transforming the kingdom’s oil-heavy economy.
In his statement, Prince Mohammed described the Expo as a chance to expand development plans. Dubai, which organized the 2020 Expo in 2021, which was postponed due to the pandemic, is now using its $7 billion facility to host the United Nations’ COP28 climate talks this week. Saudi Arabia plans to spend approximately $7.8 billion to build an Expo site.
“Saudi Arabia has become an ideal destination for hosting major international events, including the prestigious World Fair,” the prince told the state-run Saudi Press Agency. said.
The decision also comes at a time when Saudi Arabia is almost certain to host the men’s 2034 FIFA World Cup.
To underline the city’s readiness for the Expo, Rome commissioned actor Russell Crowe, who appeared in a promotional video reflecting his “Gladiator” persona. Rome’s proposal included plans for the world’s largest urban solar park and a green corridor connecting the Expo site to historic landmarks such as the Appia Antica (Appian Way), one of the oldest and most important roads of the Roman Empire.
South Korea’s port city of Busan had brought in cultural heavyweights like “Gangnam Style” rapper Psy and K-pop supergroup BTS to support its bid. The city was positioning itself for a high-tech Expo, highlighting its capabilities in artificial intelligence and 6G technology to attract millions of visitors and spur job creation.
In South Korea, President Yoon Suk Yeol congratulated Saudi Arabia and apologized for not being able to bring the Expo to his country.
“I really congratulate our important partner Saudi Arabia for successfully holding the much-hoped-for Riyadh Expo,” Yoon said in a televised speech in Seoul on Wednesday. “As the president who oversaw and is responsible for our campaign to host the Expo, I would like to say once again that I am truly sorry for disappointing our people, including the citizens of Busan.”
The World’s Fair has a long history of bringing nations together to showcase technological innovations and cultural achievements. Since the inaugural event in 1851, Expos have been platforms to showcase groundbreaking inventions such as the light bulb, the Ferris wheel, and the Eiffel Tower built for the 1889 Exposition Universelle.
These events have become not only celebrations of human creativity, but also opportunities for host cities to catalyze economic growth and global recognition.
The next event, which is usually held every five years, is planned to be held in Osaka, Japan, in 2025.
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Adamson reported from Paris. John Leicester in Paris, Frances D’Emilio in Rome, Colleen Barry in Milan, Jon Gambrell in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. and Hyung-jin Kim in Seoul, South Korea, contributed to this report.