Saudi Arabia revealed as winner of World Expo 2030 bid

Saudi Arabia was revealed today, Nov. 28, by the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) as the World Expo 2030 host.

Riyadh garnered a total of 119 out of 173 votes, or 69% of the total. 

South Korea took the second place with 29 votes, while Rome came third with 17.

"We will organize a historical version of Expo 2030. We will present an Expo that changes the equation totally. We welcome the world to Expo 2030 in Riyadh," said Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, during a press conference held to announce the Kingdom's winning. 

Riyadh will host World Expo 2030 between Oct. 1, 2030, and March 31, 2031. 

The vote came after reviewing the files of the three competing countries. In June, the Kingdom revealed the master plan for Riyadh Expo 2030, with 226 pavilions designed in a spherical shape. It will include an integrated transportation plan with multiple modern means of transportation, such as the metro and shuttle bus. The expo will also include more than 30,000 parking spaces. 

The showpiece event will be held on an area of more than six million square meters near King Salman International Airport, currently under development, making it easier for air travelers to reach the site in a few minutes by using the Riyadh train network. This is in addition to the modern road network, being connected to one of the three entrances to the event.

Earlier in November, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said that Saudi Arabia seeks to host Expo 2030 in Riyadh to deliver unprecedented experience in the history of this event for a better future for humanity.

Minister of Investment, Khalid Al-Falih, said the Kingdom earmarked $7.8 billion (SAR 29.3 billion) worth of investments for Expo 2030.