France becomes first official participant in Expo 2030 Riyadh
JEDDAH: France has become the first country to sign a Participation Contract for Expo 2030 Riyadh, marking a step forward in preparations for the six-month event and the formalization of international participation.
The agreement, signed in Paris by Talal Al-Marri, CEO of Expo 2030 Riyadh, and Jacques Maire, chairman of the Compagnie Francaise des Expositions, or COFREX, establishes the framework for France’s participation, including the location and size of its pavilion, its theme and the broad scope of its visitor and business experience.
The ceremony was attended by Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud and Dimitri S. Kerkentzes, secretary general of the Bureau International des Expositions, or BIE. The signing took place during Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to France.
France’s participation comes as Saudi Arabia accelerates preparations for the Expo, which is expected to attract 42 million visits and bring together more than 200 official participants. More than 135 countries had confirmed their participation by June, according to the BIE.
The event is also part of the Kingdom’s broader efforts to strengthen its position as a global destination for investment, tourism, culture and innovation, in line with the objectives of Vision 2030.
In a statement, Al-Marri said: “France becoming the first country to sign its Participation Contract is an important milestone for Expo 2030 Riyadh and a strong demonstration of the momentum behind international participation.”
He added: “France brings a rich history of engagement with World Expos, together with deep expertise across culture, innovation and the creation of compelling visitor experiences.”
