Saudi Arabia has participated in World Expos since the 1986 Expo held in Vancouver, Canada. From then on, Saudi Arabia has been eager to participate in as many World Expo events as possible. Saudi participation was always marked by professional organizations, beautiful displays and aesthetically captivating designs.

The last time Saudi Arabia participated in a World Expo was in 2008 in Saragossa, Spain, and are excited about their plans for Shanghai. “The Shanghai Expo is truly a global event. It encourages a better understanding and cultural exchange among various participants,” said Abdulrahman H Al-Shaikh, commissioner general of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia section at the Shanghai World Expo 2010.

The Saudi Pavilion will serve the general theme of the Shanghai World Expo 2010’s motto “Better City, Better Life.” It will tell the challenging story of building cities and improving urban life amid water scarcity and harsh desert environment.

In Al-Shaikh’s eyes, the modern Saudi Arabia is exactly an echo of the Shanghai World Expo theme. The pavilion showcases a comprehensive perspective of the kingdom’s achievements inurban planning and management. Adequate infrastructure, health, educational, social, cultural and recreational services are provided to enrich citizens’ lives and enhance their wellbeing.

To make Saudi cities better places for living and working, a vision of the Saudi cities in the 21st century is presented. Urban planning efforts are currently being contracted in order to make Saudi cities more compact, productive, ecologically sustainable, and more responsive to technological changes.

The goal is to create a diversified economic base that is not in contradiction with a progressive, safe and healthy environment. “The Saudi pavilion theme will be fully based on the past, present and future of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” he said. With its successful hosting of the Beijing Olympics and Paralympics last year, China has raised the bar for the organization and design of international events.

Al-Shaikh said he is very optimistic that the Shanghai World Expo 2010 will be yet another great success for China and milestone in the history of World expo, adding he is fully confident that the Shanghai Expo will be a true achievement as well, and believes his Saudi Arabian national pavilion will meet this challenge.

Editor:Ma Zhenhuan