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Riyadh plans to invest $7.8bn in Expo 2030

23 June 2023

Saudi Arabia has announced that it plans to invest $7.8bn in Expo 2030 if Riyadh is selected to host the event in November this year.

The figure was revealed in Paris at the 172nd General Assembly of the Expo organising body, the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), on 20 June.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, also the chairman of the Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC), was in Paris to promote the kingdom's efforts to host the event.

The Expo site will be developed close to King Salman International airport, with links to Riyadh’s soon-to-be-completed metro network. Saudi officials say the event will attract over 40 million visitors.

READ MORE: Riyadh Expo 2030 bid gains traction

The RCRC has also unveiled the masterplan for the Expo site. It will have 226 spherical-shaped pavilions, offering an immersive global experience and a blend of cultures. The pavilions will be arranged based on countries’ longitudes.

One of the critical elements of the masterplan is the Collaborative Change Corner (C3), a dynamic area intended to foster innovation and creativity in the lead-up to and beyond Riyadh Expo 2030.

The site will be powered by solar energy, with detailed strategies to enhance biodiversity, eliminate food waste, and ensure green waste management and recycling. These efforts will support plans for the Expo to be the first environmentally friendly exhibition with zero carbon emissions.

The Saudi organisers have also pledged to support 100 participating countries with a $343m package that includes technical support, pavilion construction, maintenance and other services, which they say will provide equal opportunities for all participants.

READ MORE: Riyadh prepares to host global events

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Colin Foreman

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