BIE General Assembly grants registration to World Expo 2030 Riyadh
The 176th General Assembly of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) has formally registered World Expo 2030 Riyadh.
Organised under the theme “Foresight for Tomorrow”, Expo 2030 Riyadh will take place in the capital of Saudi Arabia from 1 October 2030 to 31 March 2031.
BIE Member States, gathered in the General Assembly in Paris, unanimously approved the registration of Expo 2030 Riyadh, following the recommendation of the BIE’s Executive Committee. This registration confirms its status as an International Registered Exhibition and enables Saudi Arabia to move into the implementation phase, including the official invitation of international participants through diplomatic channels.
Marking the occasion, the BIE flag was ceremoniously handed to H.E. Ibrahim Al Sultan, CEO of the Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC).
Saudi Arabia was elected host of World Expo 2030 during the 173rd General Assembly of the BIE in November 2023. Following this, the Kingdom submitted a detailed Registration Dossier to the BIE, outlining operational dates, legislative and financial measures, the Expo site Master Plan, conditions for international participation, and legacy plans.
Dimitri S. Kerkentzes, Secretary General of the BIE, stated:
“Expo 2030 Riyadh will bring the world together under the visionary theme of ‘Foresight for Tomorrow,’ fostering global collaboration to anticipate and address future challenges. It will act as a pioneering platform for innovation and exchange, where ideas and technologies converge. The formal registration of Expo 2030 Riyadh empowers Saudi Arabia to move forward and welcome the world to Riyadh for six months of dialogue, discovery and collective efforts to shape a resilient and inclusive future for all.”
H.E. Ibrahim Al Sultan, CEO of RCRC, added:
“The adoption of our Registration Dossier by the BIE reflects the confidence that the international community places in Saudi Arabia’s ability to organise an unprecedented edition of a World Expo, and in Riyadh’s readiness to host it in 2030. We are currently working on delivering a global event, suitable to the Kingdom’s position on the global stage.”
Expo 2030 Riyadh is expected to welcome 197 countries and receive over 40 million visits over its six-month period. Its theme, “Foresight for Tomorrow,” is supported by three sub-themes:
• Transformational Technology
• Sustainable Solutions
• Prosperous People
The Expo site spans 6 square kilometers, with a 2 km² gated area, shaped by the natural contours of Wadi Al Sulai, and is strategically located near King Khalid International Airport.
About World Expos
World Expos, officially known as International Registered Exhibitions, are global gatherings of nations addressing the universal challenges of our time. These unparalleled events provide immersive journeys into key themes through interactive exhibits and global participation.
The current World Expo — Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai — is being held under the theme: “Designing Future Society for Our Lives.”