BIE and Saudi Arabia sign Expo 2030 Riyadh See Agreement
The Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) and the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have signed the Expo 2030 Riyadh See Agreement. The agreement aims to facilitate participation in the next World Expo by providing a legal framework to guarantee the privileges and special conditions for official participants.
The agreement was signed in Paris in the presence of the Secretary General of the BIE, Dimitri S. Kerkentzes, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, H.H. Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, and the CEO of Expo 2030 Riyadh, Talal Al-Marri. The signing took place on the sidelines of the visit to France by His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister.
The See Agreement formalises Saudi Arabia’s commitment, as the host country, to creating all the necessary conditions to welcome over 200 official participants in the Expo. The Agreement is an essential step towards the signing of individual Participation Contracts with countries and international organisations. More than 135 countries have already confirmed their participation in the Expo, where they will have their own pavilions inspired by the overall theme “Foresight for Tomorrow”.
The Secretary General of the BIE indicated: “The signing of the See Agreement marks an important milestone in preparations for Expo 2030 Riyadh. It further strengthens the institutional framework between the BIE and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and establishes the conditions and privileges that will support Official Participants as they prepare for the next World Expo. International participants are at the heart of every World Expo, and this Agreement reflects our shared commitment to providing them with the framework and support required for successful participation in Riyadh.”
The CEO of Expo 2030 Riyadh, Talal Al-Marri, said: “Expo 2030 Riyadh represents the Kingdom’s ambition to bring the world together around a shared belief in dialogue, cooperation and progress. The signing of the See Agreement marks an important step in fulfilling our commitment to welcome countries and international organisations from around the world, providing a clear framework to support their journey towards 2030 and enable them to bring their ambitions to life. As preparations advance, we are committed to ensuring that participants have the guidance, systems and support they need to contribute meaningfully to this global gathering. We are proud to be building a World Expo that will strengthen connections between nations, showcase the progress and capabilities of Saudi Arabia, and create a lasting impact for Riyadh, the Kingdom and the world.”
With less than 1,500 days to go until the opening of Expo 2030 Riyadh, preparations are accelerating, with significant progress made in infrastructure and construction on the Expo site, as well as on the development of a detailed Master Plan. Planning for the Expo’s exhibits and content is also in full swing.
The See Agreement – known as Accord de Siège in French - facilitates international participation in the Expo by serving as a legal framework in line with BIE rules. The first such See Agreement was signed with the Government of Spain ahead of Specialised Expo 2008 Zaragoza.
Expo 2030 Riyadh was formally registered by the BIE in June 2025, following the election of Saudi Arabia as the host country during the Organisation’s 173rd General Assembly in November 2023. Organised under the theme “Foresight for Tomorrow” and held between 1 October 2030 and 31 March 2031, the six month event aims to welcome more than 200 official participants and welcome 42 million visits. Through national pavilions, cultural programming, innovation and immersive experiences, Expo 2030 Riyadh will provide a global platform for countries and organisations to exchange ideas, build partnerships and explore solutions to shared challenges.
World Expos, officially known as International Registered Exhibitions, are global gatherings of nations addressing universal challenges of our time. These unparalleled global events offer a journey inside a chosen theme through engaging and immersive activities. The most recent World Expo, Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai, took place under the theme “Designing Future Society for Our Lives”, and received 29 million visitors.
