RIYADH — Azerbaijan has officially signed its Participation Contract for Expo 2030 Riyadh, ushering in a new phase of preparations to develop its pavilion and finalize its programs and planned contributions.The official Expo 2030 Riyadh account stated that Azerbaijan’s participation will showcase contributions reflecting the richness of its culture, its achievements, and its aspirations for the future to millions of visitors.It added that Azerbaijan’s participation underscores the deep-rooted relations between the two countries while bringing greater diversity to the Expo 2030 Riyadh experience. The contract was signed by Chief Executive Officer of Expo 2030 Riyadh Talal Al-Marri and Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan Anar Alakbarov during a ceremony held in Baku, capital of Azerbaijan.The signing marks an important milestone in Azerbaijan’s participation journey, allowing it to move from planning into delivery of its presence at Expo 2030 Riyadh.Holding the ceremony in Baku reflects the longstanding friendship between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as well as the importance Azerbaijan attaches to its participation in Expo 2030 Riyadh as a further opportunity to deepen cooperation between the two countries. Speaking on the occasion, Anar Alakbarov said that it is a great honor for Azerbaijan to sign its Participation Contract for Expo 2030 Riyadh here in Baku. Azerbaijan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are bound by deep ties of friendship, mutual respect and close cooperation, which continue to grow across the political, economic, energy and cultural spheres. “Our participation in Expo 2030 Riyadh reflects the strength of this partnership and our support for the Kingdom in hosting this landmark global event. Through our pavilion, we look forward to sharing Azerbaijan’s rich heritage, culture and vision for the future with visitors from around the world, and to further strengthening the bonds between our nations,” he said.On his part, Talal Al-Marri said: “We are seeing growing momentum in international participation at Expo 2030 Riyadh, as more countries move from confirming their participation to actively planning their pavilions and visitor experiences. Azerbaijan’s signing of its Participation Contract marks another important milestone in this journey, and we look forward to working closely with our partners in Azerbaijan to support a participation that reflects their vision and ambitions, while offering visitors from around the world a distinctive experience. With every new Participation Contract signed, Expo 2030 Riyadh takes another step towards becoming a truly global gathering, bringing nations and people together to exchange ideas, strengthen collaboration, and forge meaningful partnerships that help shape our shared future.”Preparations for Expo 2030 Riyadh continue to advance on multiple fronts, with significant progress in both international participation and site development. More countries are moving towards formalizing their participation, while work on the ground continues at pace. With the Detailed Master Plan now complete, development activities are progressing across site preparation, major earthworks, enabling infrastructure and utility networks, laying the foundations for welcoming the world to Riyadh in 2030.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 197 Official Participants and is expected to welcome 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 Expo site will evolve into a vibrant destination, continuing to attract visitors and contribute to Riyadh’s dynamic urban landscape.