Arab News Japan

OSAKA: Riyadh Expo 2030, in collaboration with the Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Japan, hosted a reception in Osaka to highlight Saudi Arabia’s readiness to deliver an exceptional World Expo.

The event gathered more than 200 distinguished guests, including ambassadors, commissioners-general participating in Expo 2025 Osaka, and prominent figures from around the world.

The evening featured constructive discussions centered around the theme of Riyadh Expo 2030: “The Era of Change: Together for a Foresighted Tomorrow” and its three subthemes: “Innovative Technologies,” “Sustainable Solutions,” and “Thriving Communities.”

The event opened with remarks by Dr. Ghazi Faisal Binzagr, Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Japan and Commissioner-General of the Saudi Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka. In his speech, he praised the remarkable success of Expo 2025 Osaka so far and emphasized the crucial role of diplomatic cooperation in supporting such global events.

He said: “It has been an honor to serve as Commissioner-General of the Kingdom’s Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, where I’ve witnessed firsthand the vital role Expos play in strengthening international ties and collaboration. Tonight’s event provided a valuable opportunity to exchange ideas and engage in meaningful dialogue with participants from across the globe.”

Abdulaziz Al-Ghannam, Commissioner-General of Riyadh Expo 2030, reaffirmed the importance of the upcoming phase and Riyadh’s readiness to welcome the world and host a landmark World Expo.

He stated: “Our journey to host the Expo in Riyadh has already begun, and we treat this as a national priority. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia—its leadership and people—are fully prepared to welcome the world. From the outset, we’ve committed to making Riyadh Expo 2030 a global platform that embraces diverse ideas and perspectives.”

Thamer Al-Saadoun, Executive Vice President of Riyadh Expo 2030, underscored the importance of the Expo’s themes in stimulating constructive conversations in a rapidly changing world.

“The theme of Riyadh Expo 2030, ‘The Era of Change,’ invites the world to achieve real progress through visionary thinking, innovation, and collaboration. It is built upon the UN Sustainable Development Goals and Saudi Vision 2030, with subthemes that reflect the Kingdom’s ongoing transformation and its ambition to create lasting positive global impact,” Al-Saadoun said.

The event is part of a broader effort to foster early engagement and collaboration with participants, with similar initiatives planned in the lead-up to Expo 2030.

Riyadh Expo 2030 will take place from October 1, 2030, to March 31, 2031, spanning an area of 6 million square meters, making it one of the largest World Expos in history.