Moving up another step in the bid to host the World Expo 2030, Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is all set to meet French President Emmanuel Macron during his state visit to the European nation to discuss the kingdom’s candidacy. 

The official Saudi Press Agency reported that the crown prince is expected to participate in a reception hosted by the kingdom in Paris on June 19 to secure Riyadh as the venue for the 2030 Expo. The kingdom announced its bid to host the 2030 Expo in 2021 and has earned the backing of a number of nations, including China, Serbia, Nigeria, and Bangladesh.

Palestine also extended its support to KSA’s candidacy for the international event on Wednesday.

Earlier this year, Secretary-General of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) Dimitri Kerkentzes in Riyadh paid a visit to Riyadh to discuss the kingdom’s bid to host World Expo 2030 in Riyadh between October 1, 2030, and March 31, 2031, under the theme The Era of Change: Together for a Foresighted Tomorrow.

Since it announced the bid, the kingdom has made three presentations before the BIE. Riyadh is competing with Busan, Rome, and Odesa. Russia withdrew from the competition due to the war with Ukraine. 

BIE’s 173rd general assembly will select the host based on the votes of the member nations, with each country voting for its choice of candidate through a secret ballot. 

The kingdom’s bid to host Expo 2030 aligns with Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to diversify the Saudi economy and boost the tourism and recreation sectors.