Expo 2030 Riyadh and Atout France, France’s national tourism development agency, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to strengthen strategic cooperation, technical support and knowledge exchange ahead of the World Expo in Riyadh.
Signed in Paris by Expo 2030 Riyadh Chief Executive Officer Talal Al-Marri and Atout France Chief Executive Officer Adam Oubuih, the agreement establishes a framework for collaboration across Expo planning and delivery.
The partnership aims to support the event’s preparations while contributing to its long-term legacy and the Kingdom’s economic, cultural and tourism ambitions.
Under the MoU, the two organisations will share expertise in areas including Expo operations, visitor experience and legacy planning.
The cooperation will also bring together public and private sector stakeholders, with a focus on sustainable tourism and environmental stewardship.
The partnership is expected to draw on Atout France’s experience in destination development, tourism promotion and major international events, including visitor journeys, crowd management, security and accessibility.
It will also create opportunities for cultural cooperation, innovation showcases and deeper ties between the Saudi and French tourism ecosystems.
“Atout France brings deep expertise in tourism development, destination promotion and creating compelling visitor experiences, making them a valuable partner as we prepare to welcome visitors from around the world to Riyadh in 2030. This collaboration gives us an opportunity to draw on that experience as we plan and deliver an exceptional World Expo, while also exchanging knowledge around sustainable tourism and how we create a lasting destination beyond the six-month event. Our collaboration with Atout France reflects the kind of international partnership that a World Expo is about, bringing together expertise and ideas to create shared value and lasting impact,” Al-Marri said.
Oubuih said: “This collaboration provides an opportunity for Atout France to mobilize its tourism expertise and institutional network in support of Expo 2030 Riyadh. Drawing on our experience in destination development and major international events, we look forward to providing technical support and sharing expertise as Expo 2030 Riyadh prepares to welcome the world in 2030. We are pleased to contribute to this cooperation and to support the ambition to deliver the World Expo to the highest international standards, while strengthening the exchange of expertise between the French and Saudi tourism ecosystems.”
Expo 2030 Riyadh will take place from October 1, 2030, to March 31, 2031, under the theme “Foresight for Tomorrow”.
The six-month event will feature exhibitions, performances and daily programmes focused on innovation, sustainability and international collaboration.
More than 200 official participants are expected to take part, with an estimated 42 million visits anticipated, positioning Expo 2030 Riyadh among the largest and most globally representative World Expos.
The event is also intended to create partnerships and
initiatives capable of delivering lasting economic, cultural and tourism
benefits beyond its six-month duration. -TradeArabia News Service