Saudi Arabia has laid out an ambitious vision for the future, with massive events and sustainability targets that aim to transform the Kingdom and boost its global standing. A centerpiece is the goal to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2060, as the country looks to diversify its economy and reduce reliance on oil revenues.
Club World Cup Marks Major Milestone
A key milestone was reached in late 2023 when Saudi Arabia hosted the FIFA Club World Cup for the first time. Bringing the globe’s top club teams to compete on Saudi soil marked a major achievement and organizational success for the Saudis. matched only by hosting its first Formula One Grand Prix in 2021.
The Club World Cup builds Saudi Arabia’s portfolio of hosting major sporting events, a central pillar of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030 program for economic and social reform. By attracting sports fans and global media coverage, these events aim to change perceptions of Saudi Arabia abroad while also stimulating the emerging sports and entertainment industry at home.
All Eyes on the Football World Cup
An even bigger goal is co-hosting the 2034 FIFA World Cup. In what would be an unprecedented three-country bid, Saudi Arabia has partnered with Egypt and Greece with hopes of securing football’s showpiece event.
Bringing the World Cup to the Middle East and Arab world for the first time would be a major symbolic achievement for Saudi Arabia as it continues to open up through reforms. The stadium and infrastructure built would also leave lasting legacies, as shown by Qatar’s efforts ahead of hosting the 2022 tournament.
A successful Saudi-led bid for 2034 seems achievable following the well-executed organization of the recent Club World Cup. With powerhouses like the 80,000-capacity Lusail Iconic Stadium and 100,000-seater Losail Stadium in partner countries Qatar and Egypt, world-class infrastructure already exists.
Expo 2030 Bid Showcases Saudi Ambition
Beyond sports, Saudi Arabia is ambitious in pursuing global mega events in other sectors – cementing its status as a G20 economy that cannot be ignored on the world stage. It has already been announced as the hosts for the 2029 Asian Winter Games, which will remarkably feature Trojanski ski slopes and snow-filled stadia in the desert.
But the biggest target is World Expo 2030 to coincide with the Kingdom’s centenary celebrations. Competing against strong bids from Rome, Odesa and Busan, Saudi Arabia proposes hosting the 6-month event across multiple cities, allowing visitors to experience places like historic Diriyyah as well as landmark buildings along the Red Sea coast.
Bringing a World Expo to the Middle East for the first time would attract millions of visitors while accelerating development projects. Dubai’s Expo 2020 gives a blueprint, having welcomed more than 24 million visits over 6 months with pavilions hosted by 192 countries. Business and political ties strengthened significantly.
For Saudi Arabia, a showcase Expo could significantly boost its global image at a pivotal historical moment if selected over European and Korean rivals.
Journey to a Sustainable Future is Set
These grand ambitions to host world events coincide with sweeping changes inside the Kingdom to open up socially and strengthen the economy for a sustainable future less dependent on oil. Significant progress has already been made through reforms on women’s rights, entertainment events, boosting renewable energy projects, and planting billions of trees.
The headline long-term target is to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2060, making Saudi Arabia the first Middle Eastern nation to do so. This will involve continuing the drive towards clean energy, with 50% from renewables targeted by 2030. Developing hydrogen exports is another priority and could replace oil revenues.
Controversially, Saudi Aramco remains one of the world’s largest oil producers. But the Direction has clearly been set for a more sustainable economy in the future, built around industries like tourism, mining, manufacturing, logistics, and finance.
Megaprojects like the futuristic carbon-neutral city NEOM, the Red Sea tourism project, and Qiddiya entertainment city will drive growth towards Vision 2030 goals. Trillions of dollars are being mobilized through Saudi Arabia’s mammoth Public Investment Fund too.
Ultimately, hosting Expo 2030 or the 2030 World Cup would perfectly coincide with realizing Saudi Arabia’s ambitious vision for a transformed nation by its centenary. Unlikely tourist destination and closed society for decades, through major events and radical reforms Saudi is pursuing a far more open and prominent place in the world.