Expo 2030 Riyadh: Progress and Legacy Plans Unveiled
The highly anticipated Expo 2030 set in Riyadh is progressing steadily with ambitious plans for its legacy phase.
RIYADH: The anticipation for Expo 2030, scheduled to take place in Riyadh, continues to grow as the event anticipates welcoming over 42 million visitors.
Recent inspections of the site reveal significant construction activities taking place as preparations advance for what is expected to be one of the largest and most ambitious world expos of its time.Murad Al-Sayed, chief delivery officer at Expo 2030 Riyadh, spoke with Arab News regarding the project's progress: "Our focus now lies in investing in the infrastructure that will endure beyond the expo.
Currently, we are finalizing electrical work, water systems, and data and communication networks to accommodate both the demands of the expo itself and the initial phase of the legacy stage.
The central area designated for the event is designed with longevity in mind".HIGHLIGHTTHE EXPO IS EXPECTED TO DRAW PARTICIPATION FROM 197 COUNTRIES AND GENERATE A PROJECTION OF $67 BILLION IN ECONOMIC IMPACT FOR SAUDI ARABIA.Al-Sayed emphasized that all facilities, including pavilions for partner and participating countries, food and beverage (F&B) outlets, retail spaces, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) pavilion, and fan pavilions, are constructed with lasting quality.
Moreover, efforts are underway to plan the post-expo repurposing and utilization of these assets.Expo 2030 Riyadh aims to transform into a Global Village in Riyadh upon conclusion, integrating cultures, ideas, expertise, and various uses including retail, F&B, entertainment, education, residential, and business sectors for both residents and visitors.
The event's CEO, Talal Al-Marri, elaborated on this vision, stating that Riyadh will serve as a melting pot of global influences in 2030.The expo's theme, "Foresight for Tomorrow," seeks to foster innovation, sustainability, and international collaboration.
With an anticipated attendance of 42 million people and participation from 197 countries between October 2030 and March 2031, the event is projected to contribute $67 billion to Saudi Arabia’s gross domestic product while creating 171,000 direct and indirect jobs and providing training for 52,000 volunteers.Covering a vast area of 6 million sq.
meters, with 4 million sq.
meters dedicated to logistical and serviced areas and 2 million sq.
meters within the gated expo grounds, the site includes significant progress such as completed earthworks amounting to 6.2 million cubic meters and the handover of 77 percent of development areas for subsequent phases.Accessibility is a key focus, with a metro station under construction for direct transfers from King Khalid International Airport and other major city points, alongside an adjacent hotel currently being developed.
A road expansion project on King Salman Road is also underway to enhance access not only to the expo but also to other notable developments like Roshn and King Salman International Airport.The collective commitment to safety across the site has resulted in over 1.5 million safe man-hours achieved by participating contractors, reflecting a strong emphasis on operational excellence and workforce welfare.
The signing of a permanent 400 MW power connection agreement underscores the project's scale, with plans for completion by Q1 2029 through National Grid.The walking tour convened senior leadership from key delivery partners, including CEOs from Nesma & Partners, Binyah, Abyatona, and Al-Yamama, to discuss enabling works, site logistics, utilities infrastructure, internal roads, and civil development packages in support of the next phases of the project.
The meeting served as a platform for reinforcing coordination and alignment across interconnected workstreams necessary for the efficient delivery of such a large-scale event.In response to concerns surrounding worker treatment similar to those encountered by other major projects like Middle Eastern World Cup editions, Al-Sayed emphasized the contractors' diligence in ensuring suitable accommodations for workers and establishing assistance hotlines for any issues faced.
Recent inspections of the site reveal significant construction activities taking place as preparations advance for what is expected to be one of the largest and most ambitious world expos of its time.Murad Al-Sayed, chief delivery officer at Expo 2030 Riyadh, spoke with Arab News regarding the project's progress: "Our focus now lies in investing in the infrastructure that will endure beyond the expo.
Currently, we are finalizing electrical work, water systems, and data and communication networks to accommodate both the demands of the expo itself and the initial phase of the legacy stage.
The central area designated for the event is designed with longevity in mind".HIGHLIGHTTHE EXPO IS EXPECTED TO DRAW PARTICIPATION FROM 197 COUNTRIES AND GENERATE A PROJECTION OF $67 BILLION IN ECONOMIC IMPACT FOR SAUDI ARABIA.Al-Sayed emphasized that all facilities, including pavilions for partner and participating countries, food and beverage (F&B) outlets, retail spaces, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) pavilion, and fan pavilions, are constructed with lasting quality.
Moreover, efforts are underway to plan the post-expo repurposing and utilization of these assets.Expo 2030 Riyadh aims to transform into a Global Village in Riyadh upon conclusion, integrating cultures, ideas, expertise, and various uses including retail, F&B, entertainment, education, residential, and business sectors for both residents and visitors.
The event's CEO, Talal Al-Marri, elaborated on this vision, stating that Riyadh will serve as a melting pot of global influences in 2030.The expo's theme, "Foresight for Tomorrow," seeks to foster innovation, sustainability, and international collaboration.
With an anticipated attendance of 42 million people and participation from 197 countries between October 2030 and March 2031, the event is projected to contribute $67 billion to Saudi Arabia’s gross domestic product while creating 171,000 direct and indirect jobs and providing training for 52,000 volunteers.Covering a vast area of 6 million sq.
meters, with 4 million sq.
meters dedicated to logistical and serviced areas and 2 million sq.
meters within the gated expo grounds, the site includes significant progress such as completed earthworks amounting to 6.2 million cubic meters and the handover of 77 percent of development areas for subsequent phases.Accessibility is a key focus, with a metro station under construction for direct transfers from King Khalid International Airport and other major city points, alongside an adjacent hotel currently being developed.
A road expansion project on King Salman Road is also underway to enhance access not only to the expo but also to other notable developments like Roshn and King Salman International Airport.The collective commitment to safety across the site has resulted in over 1.5 million safe man-hours achieved by participating contractors, reflecting a strong emphasis on operational excellence and workforce welfare.
The signing of a permanent 400 MW power connection agreement underscores the project's scale, with plans for completion by Q1 2029 through National Grid.The walking tour convened senior leadership from key delivery partners, including CEOs from Nesma & Partners, Binyah, Abyatona, and Al-Yamama, to discuss enabling works, site logistics, utilities infrastructure, internal roads, and civil development packages in support of the next phases of the project.
The meeting served as a platform for reinforcing coordination and alignment across interconnected workstreams necessary for the efficient delivery of such a large-scale event.In response to concerns surrounding worker treatment similar to those encountered by other major projects like Middle Eastern World Cup editions, Al-Sayed emphasized the contractors' diligence in ensuring suitable accommodations for workers and establishing assistance hotlines for any issues faced.
