Saudi Arabia’s capital, Riyadh, clinched a major victory by winning the bid to host the prestigious Expo 2030 World Fair, triumphing over strong contenders Italy and South Korea. The announcement came following a decisive vote by the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), where Riyadh secured an impressive 119 votes against Busan’s 29 and Rome’s 17.
The win marks a significant diplomatic achievement for Saudi Arabia, echoing the success of Qatar’s hosting of the FIFA World Cup the previous year. Riyadh’s ambition to host the five-yearly event received widespread acknowledgment, with plans to hold the expo between October 2030 and March 2031.
The Italian delegation expressed disappointment, citing unexpected results and implying transactional dealings influencing the outcome. Giampiero Massolo, head of the Italian Expo bid, voiced concerns about the process, shifting focus from merit to alleged transactions, hinting at broader implications for future global events like the Olympics.
However, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol extended congratulations to Saudi Arabia, emphasizing the nation as a crucial partner. He pledged to share resources and expertise gained from previous expos to support Riyadh in hosting a successful event.
Riyadh’s strategic approach involved leveraging star power, with soccer icon Cristiano Ronaldo, associated with the Al-Nassr Saudi club, rallying support through a compelling video presentation before the vote.
The victory aligns with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030 program, aimed at diversifying the country’s economy away from oil dependence. Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud highlighted their proactive engagement with global counterparts, demonstrating their commitment to meeting expectations and gaining trust
Critics, however, view this win as an attempt by Prince Mohammed to improve Saudi Arabia’s international image following the controversial 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Kasogi, an incident that drew condemnation from Western leaders.
Amidst extensive lobbying efforts by all three delegations, France’s support for Saudi Arabia triggered tensions, particularly irking Rome. French backing reportedly stemmed from Saudi assistance on key diplomatic matters, possibly related to Lebanon, although specifics remain undisclosed.
