Saudi Arabia has been awarded the opportunity to host the 2030 World Expo in Riyadh. The event will be the first World Expo to be held in the Middle East and will be a significant boost to the region’s economy and status as a global destination. The theme of the Expo will be “Connect Minds, Create the Future” as Saudi Arabia seeks to promote cultural exchange and technological innovation. The Expo is expected to attract up to 25 million visitors and create over 100,000 jobs, generating an estimated $17bn in revenue. The country’s bid was supported by a strong economic position, thanks to its diversified economy which has seen significant growth and a wealth of investment. The CEO of the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority described the awarding of the bid as a “victory”, saying that it showed the world that Saudi Arabia could organize and deliver “world-class events”.