Osaka, 17 July 2025 — Expo 2030 Riyadh Company, in collaboration with the Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Japan, hosted a VIP Networking Reception at the Waldorf Astoria Osaka, welcoming over 200 ambassadors, Commissioner Generals of Expo 2025 Osaka, and dignitaries from across the global Expo community.

Designed to foster dialogue and co-creation, the event brought together attendees for focused conversations around the main theme, Foresight for Tomorrow, and its three sub-themes: Transformational Technology, Sustainable Solutions, and Prosperous People. Through a curated thematic program, the reception provided a platform for nations to exchange ideas, reflect on shared challenges, and contribute insights that will help shape a truly inclusive and unprecedented World Expo.

HE Dr. Ghazi Faisal Binzagr, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Japan and Commissioner General of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Pavilion at Expo 2025, opened the evening by congratulating Expo 2025 Osaka on its success so far, highlighting the value of diplomatic collaboration:

“It has been a privilege to serve as Commissioner General and witness firsthand the power of Expos to unite people, ideas, and aspirations. This evening beautifully reflects that spirit — a gathering of nations and minds in the service of shared inspirational futures.”

Eng. Abdulaziz Alghannam, Commissioner General for Expo 2030 Riyadh, emphasized the importance of this next chapter, affirming Riyadh’s readiness to welcome the world:

“The journey to Riyadh has begun! This is a national effort and priority – our entire government and our people are preparing to welcome the world. From the very beginning, Saudi Arabia has committed to making Expo 2030 a platform by the world, for the world – and we are here to listen.”

Thamir Alsadoun, Deputy CEO of Expo 2030 Riyadh Company highlighted the enduring relevance of the Expo 2030 Riyadh themes as powerful drivers of dialogue in today’s fast-changing world, setting the stage for an evening of insightful exchange of ideas:

“At the heart of Expo 2030 Riyadh is the theme “Foresight for Tomorrow” – a call to drive global progress through vision, innovation, and collaboration. Anchored in the goals of the SDGs and Saudi Vision 2030, the theme comes to life through its sub-themes: Transformational Technology, Sustainable Solutions, and Prosperous People. These are not abstract ideals; they reflect Saudi Arabia’s lived transformation and ambition to turn vision into lasting impact.”

Held one month to the day after the formal approval of Riyadh’s Registration Dossier by the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), the event marked the transition into the implementation phase of Expo 2030 Riyadh that is already underway, including the formal invitation of international participants through diplomatic channels. It forms part of ongoing efforts to drive early engagement and participation in Expo 2030 Riyadh, and is one of a series of planned activations aimed at collaborating with participants from the earliest stages of the journey towards 2030.

Expo 2030 Riyadh will take place from October 1, 2030, to March 31, 2031, on a six-million-square-meter site designed to welcome more than 40 million visits. Positioned as one of the most ambitious Expos in history, it aims to foster global dialogue, innovation, and cultural exchange, leaving a lasting legacy beyond the Kingdom’s borders.