First to Sign: France Secures Expo 2030 Riyadh Spot Amid Saudi-French Growing Ties

France became the first country to formally sign its participation contract for Expo 2030 Riyadh. Officials announced the deal on Monday. The signing capped a landmark state visit by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to Paris. That trip also produced more than $10 billion in fresh Saudi-French agreements.

France Seals Its Expo 2030 Seat

Why it matters: The Expo contract locks in France’s spot at the six-month world’s fair. It signals strong momentum behind international participation. It also lands alongside a broader wave of Saudi-French deals spanning artificial intelligence, defense, energy, and tourism. Together, these moves show the kingdom’s push to widen its global partnerships is gathering real pace.

Driving the news: Officials signed the Expo contract on the sidelines of Prince Mohammed’s two-day visit to France. Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan attended the Paris ceremony. So did Bureau International des Expositions Secretary-General Dimitri Kerkentzes. Expo 2030 Riyadh CEO Talal Al-Marri and COFREX Chairman Jacques Maire signed for their organizations.

The agreement lets France advance its pavilion design, visitor programs, and operations. The fair runs from 1 October, 2030, through 31 March, 2031, under the theme “The Vision for Tomorrow.”

What they’re saying: Al-Marri called the signing “a significant milestone.” He said it reflects “the growing momentum of international confirmations.” Organizers, he added, “look forward to solidifying a close partnership with the French government.”

Maire said the French pavilion sits in Expo’s “Planet” zone, under the theme “Under One Sky.” Its design draws on four elements: sky, earth, fire, and water. He framed the project as a chance to open “wider avenues for communication, cooperation, and constructive dialogue.”

The bigger picture: The Expo deal arrived days after Prince Mohammed wrapped a state visit built around deals, not just diplomacy. Macron hosted the crown prince at the Esports World Cup’s closing ceremony. The two leaders then chaired the first session of the Saudi-French Strategic Partnership Council on Monday.

That council session produced a wave of new agreements. Saudi Arabia committed SAR 26.25 billion ($7 billion) to build three theme parks near Cergy-Pontoise, northwest of Paris. One park is reportedly manga-themed. PIF-backed developer Qiddiya will lead the project, which organizers expect to create roughly 22,000 jobs.

Economic Impact and Key Milestones

French shipping giant CMA CGM will help develop Jeddah Islamic Port on the Red Sea. Rail group Alstom will supply new Riyadh Metro carriages. Saudi AI champion HUMAIN struck a long-term framework with France’s Mistral AI to localize AI models and build shared computing capacity. Both companies are betting that demand for sovereign AI keeps climbing. French nuclear fuel firm Orano and Saudi Arabian Mining Company also signed an MoU on technology development, adding a mining dimension to the visit.

By the numbers:

• SAR 71.5 billion ($19 billion): France’s total investment stock in the kingdom, across 651 licenses and 18 sectors
• SAR 37.5 billion ($10 billion+): Combined value of agreements signed during the Paris visit
• SAR 26.25 billion ($7 billion): Saudi investment in three French theme parks near Paris
• SAR 2.18 billion ($580 million): Alstom’s Riyadh Metro rolling-stock contract
• SAR 1.63 billion ($434 million): CMA CGM’s Jeddah Islamic Port terminal deal
• SAR 11.25 billion ($3 billion): Bpifrance-backed financing for Saudi Electricity Company
• SAR 18.75 billion ($5 billion): Financing for Saudi Arabia’s National Debt Management Center, covering Riyadh Metro, AlUla’s Sharaan Hotel, and rolling stock for Expo 2030 and the 2034 World Cup
• SAR 44 billion (€10.1 billion): 2025 bilateral trade between the two countries, up 7.2% year-on-year

What’s next: Expo 2030 Riyadh expects more than 200 official participants. Organizers project 42 million visits over the fair’s six-month run. Moreover, they plan to convert the site into a permanent global innovation hub once the fair closes, extending its legacy well past 2031. Saudi Arabia is also gearing up to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup, adding fresh urgency to this week’s infrastructure deals.

Notably, the Paris trip marks Prince Mohammed’s first visit abroad since Saudi Arabia signed the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement with Turkey and Pakistan on 7 August. That pact underlines Riyadh’s parallel drive to widen its security partnerships even as it deepens economic ties with Paris.