World Expo 2030 candidates Rome, Busan, Riyadh to cast vote in Paris

Rome, Busan and Riyadh are the three candidates in line to host the World Expo 2030 as the decision will be announced on Tuesday after organisers from Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) cast their votes.

According to ABC News, every city has stepped up its campaign, presenting distinctive ideas and audacious pledges to protect the event's rights.

Rome entertained BIE delegates at the Plaza Athénée hotel in Paris, providing them with a Michelin-starred supper and presents of extra virgin olive oil, and enlisted the assistance of actor Russell Crowe to showcase the city's preparedness for the Expo.

Plans for the largest urban solar park in the world and a green corridor linking the Expo site to important historical sites like the Appia Antica (Appian Way) are included in Rome's proposal.

South Korea's Busan has bolstered its campaign for the Expo with cultural heavyweights including rapper Psy from "Gangnam Style" and K-pop and worldwide ensemble BTS.

In an attempt to attract millions of visitors and generate employment, it has positioned itself as a high-tech Expo and showcases its 6G and AI capabilities.

In the meanwhile, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, has started a major marketing effort that includes large-scale advertising in Paris and an installation called "Riyadh 2030" next to the Eiffel Tower.

Emmanuel Macron, the president of France, has backed Saudi Arabia in its efforts to diversify its economy and raise its stature internationally.

Since its founding in 1851, the World Expo has served as a focal point for highlighting cultural and technical triumphs, including the creation of the lightbulb, the ferris wheel, and the Eiffel Tower, which was constructed for the 1889 Exposition Universelle.

With the next vote in Paris and the next Expo in Osaka slated for 2025, these celebrations of human inventiveness and economic prosperity are expected to continue. This marks a key milestone in the rich heritage of the World Expos.