The United States and Saudi Arabia signed a contract that starts planning for a U.S. pavilion at Riyadh’s 2030 Expo, as Washington seeks to promote business and strengthen bilateral ties.
The State Department said the contract confirms U.S. participation and opens a project to develop the USA Pavilion. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud signed it at Loews Atlanta in Atlanta, Georgia, during the G20 foreign ministers’ meeting on Oct. 30. The department said U.S. participation aims to highlight American innovation, broaden prospects for U.S. businesses and deepen relations with Saudi Arabia. Rubio called the agreement “an important first step” toward what he described as a world-leading USA Pavilion. Prince Faisal thanked Rubio for his “support for Expo 2030.” The department disclosed no contract value or pavilion budget.
Saudi Arabia was selected to host the Expo by the Bureau International des Expositions in Nov. 2023. Riyadh’s event is scheduled to run from Oct. 1, 2030, to March 31, 2031. Its organizer projects more than 42 million visits, lists 197 participating nations and gives the theme as “Foresight for Tomorrow.”
A State Department readout said Rubio and Prince Faisal also discussed regional issues, including Iran, Sudan and Yemen. The foreign ministers’ meeting was scheduled for Oct. 30-31, 2026.
The signing took place amid divisions at the Atlanta G20 over Ukraine and Iran. The Associated Press reported that European objections to Russia’s participation led U.S. hosts to cancel the customary group photo, and that participants saw divisions as a possible obstacle to a joint communiqué.
The State Department has not provided a detailed construction timetable for the pavilion. The next G20 leaders’ summit is scheduled for Dec. 14-15 in Miami.
