Riyadh’s masterplan for Expo 2030 – unveiled when promoting its bid for the world-class event, aims to create an exceptional global experience in the history of the Expos.

Over a six-month period starting from October 1 2030, the exhibition, under its central theme: ‘The Era of Change: Together for a Foresighted Tomorrow’, will bring the global focus on technology, innovation, sustainability, and cooperation and present Riyadh an opportunity to share the story of an unprecedent national transformation with the global public.

The venue of the prestigious event will be developed in the northeast of Riyadh, an empty desert site close to King Khalid International Airport and the Wadi Al-Sulay project, a natural rainwater drainage basin. Once completed, Wadi Al-Sulay will offer an eastern boundary to the capital and, according to the masterplan, traverse a portion of the expo site. A dedicated metro line will enable people to arrive at the site from the centre of Riyadh.

Designed as a futuristic space built around an ancient wadi, the 6-million-sq-m site embodies both the “oasis” and “garden” origin of Riyadh and the vision of the country to pioneer a sustainable future for cities and their communities.

The exhibition pavilions, estimated to be 246, will be designed in a spherical shape, with an equator line running through them. This approach aligns with the exhibition’s vision, ensuring equal opportunities for all participants.

The venue’s design reflects the ancient urban style, history, culture, and nature of Riyadh city. It also showcases the kingdom’s shared concern with the rest of the world about the climate and its ambition to foresee a future full of potential.

The location of the country pavilions will be flexibly determined based on their longitudes. Such design will bring together countries from the north and south of the globe side by side, symbolising the kingdom’s important role in facilitating global cooperation.

Visitors to the exhibition will enjoy strolling through fully-shaded corridors with designs inspired by Riyadh’s architectural heritage. In addition, visitors can walk through a modern green oasis located within one of the tributaries of Wadi Al-Sulay. 

A prominent landmark will be built at the heart of the plan for Riyadh Expo 2030, symbolising ‘Responsibility for Protecting the Planet’. It will be based on around 200 columns representing the number of countries participating in the exhibition. Surrounding this landmark will be three pavilions, each representing the exhibition’s sub-themes of ‘Prosperity for All’, ‘Climate Action’ and ‘A Different Tomorrow’.

As per the masterplan, the site is aimed to be the first environmentally friendly exhibition that achieves a zero level of carbon emissions. It will be powered by clean resources that rely on solar energy.

The kingdom has announced that it aims to make Riyadh Expo 2030 the most sustainable and influential Expo ever, in line with its climate commitments to achieving carbon neutrality, a goal that is reflected in the masterplan for the exhibition that is linked to international standards of sustainability, including urban afforestation, the use of treated water, and the provision of new energy sources.

The blueprint for the exhibition also takes into account the reuse of the site with the aim of developing an innovative urban model that guarantees sustainability and boosts innovation and creativity.