Now accepting applications for Fast Company Middle East’s Best Workplaces For Women 2023. Click here to register.

Every five years, the world comes together for the grand spectacle that is the World Expo. The global event, spanning months and drawing millions of visitors, is a platform for nations to showcase their advancements and aspirations, fostering international collaboration and driving transformative change.

Saudi Arabia’s Capital, Riyadh, emerged victorious in its bid to host the highly anticipated 2030 World Expo, edging out Rome and Busan, South Korea’s port city. The achievement marks a turning point for the kingdom, solidifying its position as a global leader in innovation and sustainable development.

The Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), the governing body of the world’s fairs, held a crucial vote where Riyadh secured a decisive majority of 119 votes out of 165.

The Saudi bid captured the BIE’s attention with its ambitious plans for a sustainable and prosperous future. The expo’s centerpiece would be a futuristic, circular space with public parks, e-gaming facilities, grand performance stages, and world-class sports venues.

Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister, expressed his profound gratitude for the international community’s recognition of the kingdom, saying it was an “expression of the trust that the international community has in what we have to offer, but also in its alignment with our vision (for) 2030 and everything that we advocate for, which is a shared pathway to prosperity for all of the countries of the world.”

The kingdom estimates that 40 million visitors will grace the Saudi capital during the expo, injecting economic vitality and propelling Riyadh into global tourism.