Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan congratulated Saudi Arabia on the successful bid to host Expo 2030.

Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed said on X, “I extend my sincere congratulations to King Salman Bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, and the people of Saudi Arabia for the Kingdom's successful bid to host Expo 2030. Through resounding support for Riyadh Expo 2030, the international community continues to recognise the remarkable path towards growth and prosperity in Saudi Arabia.”

The Saudi capital Riyadh on Tuesday won the right to host the 2030 World Expo, defeating rival bids from Italy and South Korea as well as overcoming objections from rights activists to take hold of another global mega-event.

With a pledge for an Expo "built by the world for the world", Saudi's bid smashed the opposition after months of intense lobbying in the run-up to the vote in Paris.
The World Expo — which traces its history back to the 1851 Great Exhibition in London and the 1889 Exposition Universelle in Paris that saw the construction of the Eiffel Tower -- is a months-long showcase event attracting millions of visitors that aims to respond to the specific challenges of the current time.