Riyadh Expo 2030: A bid to champion inclusive global prosperity

Transformation

The transformation of the Saudi capital itself is an example of what can be achieved. Riyadh has become one of the world's best cities in terms of urban development and population growth, with this breakthrough change achieved in record time. It is now home to some 8 million people, a third of whom are foreigners.

It is not the only breakthrough. Unprecedented achievements have been made in the realms of culture, security, politics, the economy, and social development.

In its Arab milieu, the Kingdom has played a pivotal role in resolving conflicts, creating solutions, ending wars, and supporting growth and development.

Beyond, it has also shown unrelenting keenness to bridge East and West through a globally connected Arab world.

Riyadh's bid to host Expo 2030 aligns with the Kingdom's ambitious development plans outlined in its Vision 2030. The project reveals the deep-rooted cultural structure of Saudi Arabia and its ability to reflect the various challenges of our modern world.

By offering solutions and leveraging national energies that blend seamlessly with international efforts to achieve prosperity for everyone, the Kingdom will help boost global peace projects and international cooperation.

Read more: Riyadh opens its arms to the world with Expo 2030 bid

Synergies for a landmark year: 2030

There are clear synergies for Vision 2030 and Riyadh Expo 2030. They can converge into one ambitious, pioneering path taking Saudi Arabia to the whole world.

This is clear in the themes chosen for the two projects. Vision 2030's three pillars are "a vibrant society, a thriving economy, and an ambitious nation" in line with the sub-themes proposed for Riyadh Expo 2030 of "prosperity for all, climate action, and a different tomorrow".

Saudi Arabia is already working toward these aims, by promoting a culture of development that upholds the Saudi identity while crafting a new image for the country as it rapidly integrates into the global scene.

In line with these rapid developments – which leveraged the potential and energies of Saudi society – new laws and regulations were enacted to open the country up, invest in its youth, counter all forms of extremism, promote modernism and establish a new Saudi discourse that balances the country's cultural distinctiveness with a welcoming approach.

Cultural interaction

There has been much progress.  A new Saudi cultural and scientific landscape has emerged and is now serving as a basis for different dialogue with the world.

Modernity is no longer restricted to the outdated idea of importing goods and services, including cultural goods. Instead, local Saudi cultural production is flourishing , and interacting with its Arab and international counterparts.

Empowering a vibrant society starts with instilling a belief in opportunities. It requires investment in physical and psychological well-being as well as entertainment, which are all means of improving living standards.

All the while, the distinctiveness of Islam must be upheld, in line with its preaching on the virtue of perfect deeds, as per the Hadith: "Allah is pleased when you perfect every deed that you perform."

Desire for a refreshed, vibrant society is rooted in this solid ground on which Saudi society is built. One of the projects that Vision 2030 aims to achieve is to establish the world's largest Islamic museum, and Riyadh Expo 2030 will take that to the world.

The timing of the festival – from 1 October 2030 to 31 March 2031 – will cover the Islamic celebrations for the Holy Month of Ramadan and Eid Al-Fitr.

It will also overlap with Christmas, the Gregorian New Year, and the Chinese New Year.

The Kingdom views Expo 2030 as a chance to demonstrate a concept of Islam that transcends borders, exists in harmony with all other religions and cultures, embraces technology as an innovation tool, and promotes shared human values.

All within a vibrant, active, and open-minded society that upholds its traditions and ethical values while connecting with other cultures.

In the words of German Philosopher Immanuel Kant, "morality is not the doctrine of how we may make ourselves happy, but how we may make ourselves worthy of happiness".

The essence of the Saudi policy for a vibrant society to achieve a different and better tomorrow is an invitation to people and communities everywhere to make themselves worthy of happiness.

In this way, they can contribute globally to more humane social and health policies, through coordinated efforts to improve. That will help eradicate the conditions in which violence, extremism, crime, and backwardness can otherwise thrive.

This new Saudi discourse asserts that human happiness is not an impossible idea, but a clear possibility that can be achieved by building on past achievements and developing future aspirations into realistic projects.

Green initiatives

Today's global economic logic can seem rooted in greed and profit-making with a disregard for human dignity, sometimes even working at its expense.

Saudi Arabia is taking an entirely different direction, by working for a thriving, humanised economy. It will prioritise using human resources to activate ecological potential, unlocking local distinctiveness to tackle climate change.

Read more: How Saudi Arabia is building a realistic roadmap for a circular carbon economy

The Kingdom's plan links education to practical application, turning it into a long-term, successful investment. Extensive support for all production sectors is also encouraging entrepreneurs to embark on their ventures even without the need for huge individual capital risk.

There are clear targets, not least to take non-oil exports up to 50% of the economy's gross domestic product from 16%, and to establish it as the 15th biggest economy in the world.

Read more: Saudi industry goes global after reforms spark growth

Part of this mission will be combatting unemployment and poverty and lifting the contribution of small- and medium-sized enterprises, a key means of economic diversification.

The Riyadh Expo 2030 will show the world how Saudi Arabia will establish a thriving economy while also protecting the environment and combating climate change, under an expansive plan to reduce carbon emissions, preserve biodiversity, and invest in clean energy.

It will highlight the technologies proposed by Vision 2030 in this regard, including the launch of the world's largest hydrogen plant powered by wind and solar energy in 2026.

In 2019, the Kingdom announced the Green Riyadh Initiative, one of the most ambitious urban forestation projects in the world, to bring nature back into the city.

The Kingdom has also launched its Saudi Energy Efficiency Centre and AI Energy Centre, while also supporting policies that encourage recycling, bioremediation, ecosystem maintenance, and water governance.

This correlation between the climate issue and economic prosperity has generated a sense of awareness about land stewardship. It has also reinforced the connection between climate efforts, and the Saudi economy and the personal and public prosperity of its people. 

It is not seen as an obligation, but a personal self-development project,  involving each Saudi individual at their own volition. It is an exercise in personal responsibility as well as national policy, in a state in a country where the state is in harmony with its people and the environment. 

The ambitious national strategy is underpinned by clear targets, with standards for transparency set across all sectors.

This is a guiding principle throughout the range of the policies, from preserving biological resources to developing plans to lift non-oil revenues and increase the savings rate of Saudi families, as well as boosting the non-profit sector and volunteering culture. It also applies to plans to achieve high rankings in government and e-government efficiency indicators.

Inclusive prosperity

These ideas all combine to achieve a form of inclusive prosperity would be a key concept backing  Riyadh Expo 2030, where the Kingdom's endeavours for sustainable development and gender equality, lead to eradicating poverty and providing health, prosperity, and education to all, would be on show.

The Kingdom's welcome to immigrants and refugees and preparations to help integrate them, under a framework of international cooperation highlights its keenness to mitigate the social and economic isolation of poorer countries.  

These national ambitions are the amalgam of the ambitions of the Saudi people, who Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman always invites to believe in themselves as they set about achieving a brighter future.

This sense of partnership with the state goes beyond shared nationality and identity and extends to the longer-term interests of sustainable prosperity for future generations.  

Having set out on its own journey, Saudi Arabia is calling on the world to build a global framework that achieves prosperity for everyone and is rooted in mutual interests and cooperation as an alternative to conflict and division.

This is the overarching aim of the Riyadh Expo 2030 proposal. It will show ways in which cutting-edge technology and potential developments of the future can create solutions to global problems, as countries work together for an inclusive global effort to meet challenges and achieve change.