• Minister of Communications and IT Abdullah Al-Swaha said the event will serve as a bridge to connect the world through science, innovation and culture

Arab News

RIYADH: The Saudi minister of communications and information technology, Abdullah Al-Swaha, said on Saturday the Kingdom’s commitment to hosting Expo 2030 reflects its desire to be a global leader in efforts to empower people, protect the planet and help shape new horizons.

The event will serve as a bridge to connect the world through science, innovation and culture, he added, with the full support of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who have been instrumental in driving the country’s growth and prosperity.

“Saudi Arabia’s hosting of this important event is the result of the crown prince’s support for this file to enable the Kingdom to be the focus of the world’s attention, and serve as a unique platform that opens horizons for the future and welcomes the world with its solid heritage, digital and innovative renaissance, and diverse culture,” Al-Swaha told the Saudi Press Agency.

He added that initiatives by the Kingdom in the fields of technology, innovation, space and sustainability have put Riyadh in a pioneering position to help achieve a better future for all.

He emphasized the importance of international connections and cooperation in efforts to find solutions to the most pressing challenges the world faces, in particular those related to sustainable development, climate action, and growth, and said Riyadh Expo 2030 aims to address them comprehensively.

Al-Swaha also highlighted the leadership role the Kingdom has taken in the field of artificial intelligence through the establishment of the region’s first Generative Artificial Intelligence Accelerator, and the deep technology business incubator The Garage, the largest of its kind in the region.

“Today, we have an opportunity to lay the foundation for our global future economy, as we enter the era of generative artificial intelligence at a time when the Kingdom has distinguished itself among the G20 countries by adopting an ecosystem-based approach,” he said.

The minister added that several significant digital accomplishments by the Kingdom have garnered global recognition in the past year. For example, it ranked third in the World Bank’s GovTech Maturity Index, and took fourth place globally in terms of readiness for digital regulations according to an International Telecommunication Union report titled “Global Digital Regulatory Outlook 2023.”