Riyadh Expo 2030

Riyadh Expo 2030 is an international exposition hosted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the city of Riyadh. The Kingdom's winning of the hosting was announced on 14 Jumada al-Ula 1445 AH, corresponding to 28 November 2023 CE, after the Riyadh bid won the confidence of the member states of the Bureau International des Expositions. [1][2]

The Expo runs from 1 October 2030 to 31 March 2031 over an area of 6 million square metres, and it is organised by the Expo 2030 Riyadh Company, wholly owned by the Public Investment Fund, under the main theme “The Era of Change: Together for a Foresighted Tomorrow”. [3][5][6]

The Riyadh bid received 119 votes from the member states in the ballot of the Bureau International des Expositions, reflecting the Kingdom's standing and its international relations. [1][2]

Riyadh competed to host the Expo against the Korean city of Busan and the Italian city of Rome. The secret ballot was held on 28 November 2023 during the 173rd General Assembly meeting of the Bureau International des Expositions, in the presence of the delegates of the member states. [3]

The Kingdom submitted the official registration dossier for hosting the International Expo 2030 in Riyadh to the Bureau International des Expositions in Paris on 7 Ramadan 1446 AH, corresponding to 7 March 2025 CE. [4]

The dossier received final approval at the General Assembly meeting of the Bureau International des Expositions in Paris on 21 Dhu al-Hijjah 1446 AH, corresponding to 17 June 2025 CE, the final stage in approving the registration of the host country, and the Kingdom's delegation received the flag of the International Expo. [5]

The Expo 2030 Riyadh Company, wholly owned by the Public Investment Fund, organises the Expo. On 26 Dhu al-Hijjah 1446 AH, corresponding to 22 June 2025 CE, the appointment of Eng. Talal bin Hussein Al-Marri as the company's Chief Executive Officer was announced. [6]

The company awarded the contract for preparing the detailed master plan of the Expo site, covering the design of infrastructure, landscapes, facilities and its sustainable future legacy, to Buro Happold as the lead consultant for the project, on 11 Jumada al-Akhirah 1447 AH, corresponding to 2 December 2025 CE. [7]

The Expo is held over an area of 6 million square metres in the city of Riyadh, and its activities extend from 1 October 2030 to 31 March 2031. [5]

The Expo's official figures indicate more than 42 million expected visits, the participation of 197 countries and more than 230 pavilions. [13]

The Kingdom allocated 353 million dollars to support more than 100 developing countries in taking part in Riyadh Expo 2030. [3]

The Kingdom and the Bureau International des Expositions signed the “Agreement on Privileges and Advantages Granted to International Participants” on 12 Rabi' al-Awwal 1448 AH, corresponding to 25 August 2026 CE, to establish the legal and administrative foundations for the participation of states and international organisations in the Expo. [8]

France was the first country to complete its official participation contract in the Expo, on the same day and under the slogan “A Vision for the Future”. [9] More than 145 countries confirmed their participation in Riyadh Expo 2030 on 21 Rabi' al-Awwal 1448 AH, corresponding to 3 September 2026 CE. [10] The Sultanate of Oman signed its official participation contract on 24 Rabi' al-Awwal 1448 AH, corresponding to 6 September 2026 CE, [11] and the United States of America then signed its participation contract as an “official participant” on 19 Jumada al-Ula 1448 AH, corresponding to 31 October 2026 CE. [12]

After the Expo concludes, the Riyadh Expo 2030 site will be transformed into a global village embracing thousands of residential units, cultural and entertainment events and economic zones, reinforcing Riyadh's standing as a destination for major events alongside Riyadh Season. [14]

Q: What is Riyadh Expo 2030? A: An international exposition hosted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the city of Riyadh, held from 1 October 2030 to 31 March 2031 over an area of 6 million square metres. [5]

Q: When did the Kingdom win the right to host the Expo? A: The win was announced on 14 Jumada al-Ula 1445 AH, corresponding to 28 November 2023 CE, after the Riyadh bid received 119 votes from the member states of the Bureau International des Expositions. [1][2]

Q: What is the main theme of the Expo? A: “The Era of Change: Together for a Foresighted Tomorrow”. [3]

Q: Who organises the Expo? A: The Expo 2030 Riyadh Company, wholly owned by the Public Investment Fund, whose Chief Executive Officer is Eng. Talal bin Hussein Al-Marri. [6]

Q: How many countries have confirmed their participation in the Expo? A: More than 145 countries have confirmed their participation, and the official figures target the participation of 197 countries and more than 230 pavilions. [10][13]