Climate Action: RCRC organized a seminar on the Riyadh Expo 2030

Paris, Oct 13, 2023: The Royal Commission for Riyadh City organized a seminar titled “Climate Action” one of Expo’s sub-themes”, with the participation of the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Member of the Council of Ministers and Envoy for Climate Affairs, H.E. Adel Aljubeir, Director of the Climate and Livelihood Initiative at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Mr. Matthew McCabe, and the CEO of ACWA Power, Mr. Marco Arcelli. The seminar was attended by several delegates representing member countries of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) and global experts.

During the seminar, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Member of the Council of Ministers, and Envoy for Climate Affairs, His Excellency Adel Aljubeir, mentioned that: ” our bid for the Riyadh World Expo in 2030 is not merely a celebration of progress and innovation, but a testament to the role we aim to play in shaping a sustainable future.”

His Excellency pointed out that 2030 holds unparalleled significance and will define our collective ambition. It is the year of achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the Paris Climate Agreement, and the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, which amplifies the importance of Riyadh Expo 2030, as it will be part of a huge global transformation.

H.E. Adel Aljubeir added that the Kingdom has come a long way towards a sustainable future through its Vision 2030 and the initiatives, which demonstrate the Kingdom’s commitment and fulfillment of its environmental pledges with local, regional, and international, noting that Riyadh Expo 2030 will be an extension of the Kingdom’s environmental efforts and that will be the first Zero free emissions and environmentally friendly expo. Riyadh Expo 2030 is more than” an event. It’s a pledge from Saudi Arabia to the world. It is a declaration of our dedication to combat climate change and a testament to our unwavering commitment to a shared, sustainable future for all.”

The Director of the Climate and Livelihood Initiative at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Mr. Matthew McCabe, stressed the importance of taking action to mitigate the effects of climate change and said:” Today more than 2 billion people live without a safe and secure source of water, and water scarcity is becoming an increasing concern. The United Nations expects that by 2030, up to 700 million people might be displaced due to this impending water crisis and that up to half of the world’s urban populations will be affected by water scarcity by 2050.”

He highlighted the importance of the Kingdom’s ecosystem, noting: “Saudi Arabia hosts some incredibly unique ecosystems, from desert oases to pristine coral reefs. Protecting our terrestrial and marine environments is a cause being championed at the highest levels of government.”

To enhance Riyadh’s readiness to host the Expo 2030 International Exhibition, Mr. Marco Arcelli, CEO of ACWA Power, said:” I’m proud to be contributing in achieving Saudi Vision 2030, which is one of the greatest visions and policy programs built on strong moral values, to lead a social, cultural, and economical change that is unparalleled in the world. I invite you to learn about this vision, and to witness the transformation that the Kingdom is experiencing with your own eyes. Feel the energy of its youth, and learn about its culture. Opportunities are available to everyone, so be a part of it today, and do not wait another 10 years, as you may miss out.”

Arcelli added: “As part of the vision realization programs, ACWA Power is a pioneering company in leading the energy transition in the Middle East and North Africa region. It is also the largest private water desalination company in the world, and the first company working in green hydrogen field.”

It is noteworthy that this seminar comes within a series of seminars organized by the Riyadh Expo 2030 team in the Royal Commission for Riyadh City in the French capital, Paris, to discuss the objectives of the exhibition، introduce its main theme and sub-themes and establish meaningful connections with participating countries to enhance their importance. The seminar aims to gather ideas, opinions, and inputs from delegates and experts on the relevance of the main theme and sub-themes to them.