Paris, France, August 2026 – Expo 2030 Riyadh and Atout France, the national Tourism Development Agency of the French Republic, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a cooperative framework that seeks to promote strategic collaboration and strengthen technical and knowledge exchange. The milestone agreement aims to advance Expo 2030 Riyadh’s preparations to deliver an exceptional World Expo for millions of visitors from around the world and support its long-term legacy and contribution to the Kingdom’s economic, cultural and tourism goals.
As part of the agreement, Expo 2030 Riyadh and Atout France will work closely across key areas of Expo planning and delivery, drawing on shared expertise to optimize operations, enhance the visitor experience and advance legacy planning. The partnership will bring together public and private sector stakeholders to foster greater collaboration around the Expo, with a particular focus on sustainable tourism and environmental stewardship. In parallel, the cooperation will also create opportunities to strengthen Saudi-French ties through cultural cooperation and innovation showcases.
The agreement was signed in Paris, France, by Talal Al-Marri, Chief Executive Officer of Expo 2030 Riyadh and Adam Oubuih, Chief Executive Officer of Atout France.
Commenting on the agreement, Talal Al-Marri, Chief Executive Officer of Expo 2030 Riyadh, said: “Atout France brings deep expertise in tourism development, destination promotion and creating compelling visitor experiences, making them a valuable partner as we prepare to welcome visitors from around the world to Riyadh in 2030. This collaboration gives us an opportunity to draw on that experience as we plan and deliver an exceptional World Expo, while also exchanging knowledge around sustainable tourism and how we create a lasting destination beyond the six-month event. Our collaboration with Atout France reflects the kind of international partnership that a World Expo is about, bringing together expertise and ideas to create shared value and lasting impact.”
Adam Oubuih, Chief Executive Officer of Atout France, said: “This collaboration provides an opportunity for Atout France to mobilize its tourism expertise and institutional network in support of Expo 2030 Riyadh. Drawing on our experience in destination development and major international events, we look forward to providing technical support and sharing expertise as Expo 2030 Riyadh prepares to welcome the world in 2030. We are pleased to contribute to this cooperation and to support the ambition to deliver the World Expo to the highest international standards, while strengthening the exchange of expertise between the French and Saudi tourism ecosystems.”
The MoU combines Expo 2030 Riyadh’s scale and global platform with Atout France’s expertise in tourism, destination development and major international events. The cooperation will focus on enhancing the visitor experience, drawing on Atout France’s expertise across areas including visitor journeys, crowd management, security and accessibility.
This latest milestone reflects the strong momentum and continued progress behind Expo 2030 Riyadh. Taking place from 1 October 2030 to 31 March 2031, the Expo will bring the world together for a six-month celebration of innovation, creativity and culture, with daily events, exhibitions and performances. Held under the theme of “Foresight for Tomorrow”, Expo 2030 Riyadh will focus on innovation, sustainability, and the collective power of nations to shape a better future for all and will give countries the opportunity to forge partnerships that deliver real impact. With more than 200 official participants expected to participate, and 42 million visits anticipated, Expo 2030 Riyadh is set to be one of the largest and most globally representative World Expos ever held.
About Expo 2030 Riyadh:
Running from 1 October 2030 to 31 March 2031, Expo 2030 Riyadh will be among the most ambitious World Expos ever conceived with a 6 million square meter site that will bring together more than 200 official participants, and 42 million visits across 5 distinct districts.
Held under the theme “Foresight for Tomorrow,” and hosted in Riyadh - a city of action and ambition - Expo 2030 Riyadh will provide a platform for participants to exchange ideas, shape solutions, and build partnerships that drive real impact, address global challenges, and unlock new opportunities. The World Expo will feature immersive cultural zones, daily activations, and AI-powered interactions, blending traditional Saudi hospitality with cutting-edge technology. Following the six-month event, the site will evolve into a global village, leaving a lasting legacy for Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and the world.
About Atout France:
Atout France, France’s tourism development agency, helps boost the attractiveness and competitiveness of France as a destination and is striving to make it a global standard-setter in sustainable tourism by 2030. Atout France operates on a unique partnership principle, drawing together 1,200 public and private tourism stakeholders. This factor, together with the commitment of its teams in France and in another 26 countries, has structured a whole collective that Atout France federates around an ambitious roadmap for the sector: to accelerate French tourism’s shift to higher quality, more sustainable, innovative and inclusive models in order to offer visitors from all over the world unforgettable stays in France.
