PARIS — France is the first country to officially sign its Participation Contract for Expo 2030 Riyadh, a major milestone in its preparations and growing international momentum. The signing took place on the sidelines of the visit of Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman to France.The agreement formally establishes France’s participation in Expo 2030 Riyadh, providing the framework for its presence throughout the six-month event. It specifies the location and space allocated to the France Pavilion, outlines the pavilion's theme, and sets out the broad lines of the experience offered to visitors and businesses.The ceremony in Paris was attended by Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan and Secretary General of the BIE Dimitri S. Kerkentzes. The Participation Contract was signed by Chief Executive Officer of Expo 2030 Riyadh Talal Al-Marri and Chairman of the Compagnie Française des Expositions (COFREX) Jacques Maire.Commenting on the milestone, Chief Executive Officer of Expo 2030 Riyadh Talal Al-Marri said: “France becoming the first country to sign its Participation Contract is an important milestone for Expo 2030 Riyadh and a strong demonstration of the momentum behind international participation. France brings a rich history of engagement with World Expos, together with deep expertise across culture, innovation and the creation of compelling visitor experiences. We look forward to working closely with France and COFREX as their plans take shape and to seeing the ambition they bring to Riyadh in 2030. This milestone brings us another step closer to delivering an extraordinary World Expo that will bring the world together at an unprecedented scale in 2030.”Chairman of COFREX Jacques Maire said: “Expo 2030 Riyadh provides an exceptional platform to showcase French creativity, innovation and know-how with audiences from around the world. We are grateful to Expo Riyadh for offering France an exceptional space, both in its location and its scale.Located within the ‘Planet’ district, the pavilion’s theme is ‘Under One Sky.’ Built around the four elements — sky, earth, fire and water — it has a dual ambition: to offer the public an immersive and meaningful experience, and to allow our businesses to demonstrate their capabilities, particularly in service of protecting the planet and the ecological transition. We will play our part in Expo’s ambition to foster new opportunities for exchange, collaboration and dialogue. We are proud to be part of this global gathering and look forward to contributing fully to its success in Riyadh in 2030.”The milestone builds on a period of continued progress for Expo 2030 Riyadh, from the recent signing of the See Agreement between Saudi Arabia and the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) to ongoing site development and operational preparations.Expo 2030 Riyadh will take place from October 1, 2030 to March 31, 2031 under the theme “Foresight for Tomorrow.” The six- month event is expected to bring together more than 200 official participants and welcome 42 million visits. Through national pavilions, cultural programming, innovation and immersive experiences, Expo 2030 Riyadh will provide a global platform for countries and organizations to exchange ideas, build partnerships and explore solutions to shared challenges. Following the event, the site is planned to evolve into a permanent global village, creating a lasting legacy for Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and the world.