The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, chaired the Kingdom’s delegation to the General Assembly of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), which is taking place in the French capital, Paris.
Delivering a speech at the meeting, Prince Faisal highlighted the Kingdom’s unique geographical location as a hub linking north with south and east with west, and from which the Kingdom seeks to build partnerships with international companies and enhance its global status through collective efforts and cooperation with friendly countries.
“Our strategic priority in the Kingdom is to present an exhibition that is set up by the world to the world and that recognizes the global diversity at the time the international community is preparing the shift towards a sustainable and more equal future,” the prince said, citing the Kingdom’s bid to host Expo 2030.
He also noted that the world is witnessing several challenges that require joint efforts to address and achieve tangible progress towards realizing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which, he added, are at the heart of the Saudi Vision 2030, led by His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, which seeks a prosperous and sustainable future.
The prince also said that the Kingdom’s bid to host Expo 2030 is manifested in the theme, “Together for a Foresighted Tomorrow,” which includes agenda items on welfare for all and climate action.
“Expo 2030 constitutes an opportunity to enhance joint projects of global impact and cooperation to find solutions to common challenges through innovation, sustainability, and inclusiveness which all lie at the heart of the design of the Riyadh Expo 2030,” the prince said.
Prince Faisal also unveiled the programs in the Kingdom’s bid to host Expo 2030, including the allocation of USD 343 million to support 100 countries in pavilion construction, maintenance, technology support, travel, events, etc.
“The Kingdom will work on improving more programs side by side with its pioneering partners around the world, besides the private sector, which reflects the Kingdom’s commitment to organize a genuine global expo,” he said.
The prince added that Riyadh is a global, vibrant city with a population of more than seven million, of which 48 percent are non-Saudis who come from more than 130 countries. “Riyadh is proud of its deeply-rooted identity and its rich cultural heritage,” he said.
“We are fully confident of our ability to impress the world and present an unprecedented experience, with constant ambitions and gratitude of all government sectors and the Saudi society. We are highly grateful to all countries that expressed support to our bid to host Expo 2030,” Prince Faisal said.
Source: Saudi Press Agency