PARIS, Nov. 29 -- Saudi Arabia was elected on Tuesday by member states of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) to host the World Expo 2030, the organization said in a press release.

"A two-thirds majority of Member States voted for Saudi Arabia's project to host World Expo 2030 in Riyadh under the theme "The Era of Change: Together for a Foresighted Tomorrow", between 1 October 2030 and 31 March 2031," the BIE said.

Among the three candidates, Riyadh of Saudi Arabia, Busan of the Republic of Korea and Rome of Italy, Riyadh was elected in the first round with 119 votes, the two-thirds majority required.

Following the announcement of the results, Secretary General of the BIE Dimitri S. Kerkentzes sent his congratulations to Saudi Arabia.

"In the coming years, we look forward to working closely with Saudi Arabia to bring the world together in Riyadh under the theme, 'The Era of Change: Together for a Foresighted Tomorrow'," he said.

  - Xinhua