Busan loses World Expo 2030 bid
Korea HeraldNOV 2023
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
Riyadh's successful bid to host the World Expo 2030 is cause for celebration. By showcasing the latest technological marvels to international tourists and officials, Saudi Arabia will have the opportunity to build closer ties with western nations and firm up its reputation as a key player, in terms of innovation and diplomacy, for years to come.
Establishment-critical narrative
Allowing Saudi Arabia to host the World Expo 2030 is a huge mistake with international implications. This outcome signials that the Bureau of International des Expositions (BiE) holds no regard for human rights — it is failing to take a stand against a morally corrupt regime. Saudi Arabia is an inappropriate backdrop to a meeting centered on global solutions to today’s global challenges.