The Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) selected Riyadh to host the 2030 World Expo, with the Saudi capital winning a decisive victory over South Korea’s Busan and Italy’s Rome in the first round of voting. The vote, which took place in Paris, saw Riyadh secure a two-thirds majority with 119 votes, significantly ahead of Busan’s 29 and Rome’s 17. This outcome follows intense campaigning and presentations by the candidate cities.

The World Expo, known for promoting global innovation and cultural exchange since its inception in London in 1851, is a significant event that spans up to six months.