The Saudi capital Riyadh on Tuesday won the right to host the 2030 World&nbsp;Expo, easily defeating rival bids from Italy and South Korea as well as overcoming objections from rights activists.

Needing only one round of voting and securing the necessary two-thirds majority of member states at the general assembly of organisers Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) in Paris, Riyadh won 119 votes, South Korea's Busan 29 and Italian capital Rome 17, the BIE said.

Hosting the&nbsp;Expo&nbsp;is of immense importance for Saudi Arabia, whose bid was spearheaded by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, known as MBS, as he seeks to secure the world's top events to showcase the kingdom across the globe.

The kingdom is also set to host the 2034 football World Cup after emerging as the only bidder for the event.

The date of 2030 is hugely symbolic for Saudi, coinciding with the key milestone in the Vision 2030 programme of MBS to diversify Saudi Arabia economically and culturally.&nbsp;

The Riyadh&nbsp;Expo&nbsp;is set to take place from October 2030 to March 2031 on the theme "The Era of Change: Together for a Foresighted Tomorrow", according to the Saudi bid.

But many rights groups had expressed dismay over Saudi Arabia winning the bid, arguing that MBS's glitzy reform drives hide a reality where dissidents are imprisoned and executions rampant.

Concern over Saudi's rights record under MBS has always been symbolised by the 2018 murder of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.

But Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan in his final presentation pledged an "unwavering commitment to collaborate with all nations to deliver an&nbsp;Expo&nbsp;built by the world for the world".

"As we work diligently to grow and transform our economy we believe the kingdom's progress,&nbsp;regional development and the health of the global economy will advance in lockstep," he said.

The Saudi capital Riyadh on Tuesday won the right to host the 2030 World Expo, easily defeating rival bids from Italy and South Korea as well as overcoming objections from rights activists.

The Saudi capital Riyadh on Tuesday won the right to host the 2030 World Expo, easily defeating rival bids from Italy and South Korea as well as overcoming objections from rights activists. Needing only one round of voting and securing the necessary two-thirds majority of member states at the general assembly of organisers Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) in Paris, Riyadh won 119 votes, South Korea's Busan 29 and Italian capital Rome 17, the BIE said. Hosting the Expo is of immense importance for Saudi Arabia, whose bid was spearheaded by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, known as MBS, as he seeks to secure the world's top events to showcase the kingdom across the globe. The kingdom is also set to host the 2034 football World Cup after emerging as the only bidder for the event. The date of 2030 is hugely symbolic for Saudi, coinciding with the key milestone in the Vision 2030 programme of MBS to diversify Saudi Arabia economically and culturally. The Riyadh Expo is set to take place from October 2030 to March 2031 on the theme "The Era of Change: Together for a Foresighted Tomorrow", according to the Saudi bid. But many rights groups had expressed dismay over Saudi Arabia winning the bid, arguing that MBS's glitzy reform drives hide a reality where dissidents are imprisoned and executions rampant. Concern over Saudi's rights record under MBS has always been symbolised by the 2018 murder of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. But Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan in his final presentation pledged an "unwavering commitment to collaborate with all nations to deliver an Expo built by the world for the world". "As we work diligently to grow and transform our economy we believe the kingdom's progress, regional development and the health of the global economy will advance in lockstep," he said.

Saudi capital Riyadh to host World Expo 2030

Tehran accused Riyadh Friday of "sowing division" in the region to Israel's advantage after the kingdom hosted summits of Gulf and Arab leaders to rally support against the Islamic republic.

Saudi Arabia has "continued to sow division between Islamic countries and in the region, which is the wish of the Zionist regime," foreign ministry spokesman Seyed Abbas Mousavi said.

"We see the attempts by Saudi Arabia to rally neighbouring and Arab countries against Iran as the continuation of futile attempts by America and the Zionist regime," he added.

Mousavi expressed disappointment that Riyadh intended to level the same "baseless allegations" against Tehran at a summit of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation in Mecca early on Saturday, "exploiting" its role as host.

Saudi Arabia's King Salman on Friday ratcheted up the rhetoric against arch-rival Iran, calling on Arab states to confront it's "criminal" actions after attacks on oil installations sparked fears of a regional conflagration.

The king's remarks came at the start of two back-to-back emergency summits in Mecca in the early hours, which drew near-unanimous support for the Sunni kingdom from Gulf and Arab states -- with the notable exception of Iraq.

The summits came after hawkish<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trumps-security-adviser-john-bolton-to-visit-uae-this-week-222108/amp"> US National Security Advisor John Bolton</a> said on Wednesday that Iran was "almost certainly" behind May 12 attacks on four ships, two of them Saudi oil tankers, of the United Arab Emirates.

Tehran dismissed the accusation as "laughable" and accused Bolton of pursuing "evil desires for chaos in the region."

Tehran accused Riyadh Friday of "sowing division" in the region to Israel's advantage after the kingdom hosted summits of Gulf and Arab leaders to rally support against the Islamic republic.

Tehran accused Riyadh Friday of "sowing division" in the region to Israel's advantage after the kingdom hosted summits of Gulf and Arab leaders to rally support against the Islamic republic. Saudi Arabia has "continued to sow division between Islamic countries and in the region, which is the wish of the Zionist regime," foreign ministry spokesman Seyed Abbas Mousavi said. "We see the attempts by Saudi Arabia to rally neighbouring and Arab countries against Iran as the continuation of futile attempts by America and the Zionist regime," he added. Mousavi expressed disappointment that Riyadh intended to level the same "baseless allegations" against Tehran at a summit of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation in Mecca early on Saturday, "exploiting" its role as host. Saudi Arabia's King Salman on Friday ratcheted up the rhetoric against arch-rival Iran, calling on Arab states to confront it's "criminal" actions after attacks on oil installations sparked fears of a regional conflagration. The king's remarks came at the start of two back-to-back emergency summits in Mecca in the early hours, which drew near-unanimous support for the Sunni kingdom from Gulf and Arab states -- with the notable exception of Iraq. The summits came after hawkish US National Security Advisor John Bolton said on Wednesday that Iran was "almost certainly" behind May 12 attacks on four ships, two of them Saudi oil tankers, of the United Arab Emirates. Tehran dismissed the accusation as "laughable" and accused Bolton of pursuing "evil desires for chaos in the region."

Iran accuses Saudi Arabia of 'sowing division'

Several South Asian migrants employed as domestic workers and farmers are stranded in Saudi Arabia after their Qatari employers were asked to leave the kingdom.

The head of Qatar&#39;s National Human Rights Committee Ali bin Smaikh Al-Marri told the media on Wednesday that the workers, who are from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal, have been left behind without accommodation and money and are living &quot;illegally&quot;.&nbsp;

Many of those affected were farmers who drive livestock between the two countries, Marri said, AFP reported.

&quot;Usually the workers travel with Qataris -- many Qataris employ farmers and travel with their domestic workers and drivers,&quot; he said.

Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt and Bahrain suspended ties with Qatar on June 5 over allegations that the emirate supports extremists. Doha denies the claim.&nbsp;

&quot;The workers were not allowed to travel into&nbsp;Qatar&nbsp;and now they are living illegally in Saudi Arabia and do not have basic needs,&quot; Marri said.&nbsp;

&quot;They have no shelter and cannot access money.&quot;

In Qatar, there is a sponsorship system that ties workers to their employers.

There is no word on the exact number of migrants stranded.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Most of the migrants are from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal

Several South Asian migrants employed as domestic workers and farmers are stranded in Saudi Arabia after their Qatari employers were asked to leave the kingdom. The head of Qatar's National Human Rights Committee Ali bin Smaikh Al-Marri told the media on Wednesday that the workers, who are from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal, have been left behind without accommodation and money and are living "illegally". Many of those affected were farmers who drive livestock between the two countries, Marri said, AFP reported. "Usually the workers travel with Qataris -- many Qataris employ farmers and travel with their domestic workers and drivers," he said. Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt and Bahrain suspended ties with Qatar on June 5 over allegations that the emirate supports extremists. Doha denies the claim. "The workers were not allowed to travel into Qatar and now they are living illegally in Saudi Arabia and do not have basic needs," Marri said. "They have no shelter and cannot access money." In Qatar, there is a sponsorship system that ties workers to their employers. There is no word on the exact number of migrants stranded.

South Asian migrants stranded in Saudi Arabia after Qatari bosses ordered to leave

saudi-arbaia

Saudi Arbaia, News on Saudi Arbaia, stories on Saudi Arbaia, articles on Saudi Arbaia, Saudi Arbaia stories at Wion, Saudi Arbaia news, Saudi Arbaia latest news

saudi arbaia

Saudi capital Riyadh to host World Expo 2030

Iran accuses Saudi Arabia of 'sowing division'

South Asian migrants stranded in Saudi Arabia after Qatari bosses ordered to leave