PARIS — France has fired anger across Europe by backing Saudi Arabia rather than neighboring Italy to host the glitzy 2030 World Expo, as Emmanuel Macron pushes to boost trade and diplomatic ties with the world’s largest oil exporter.
The French president’s support of a bid run by Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (known as MBS) has irked Rome and raised concerns from NGOs campaigning against human rights abuses in Saudi Arabia, and in the wake of the brutal killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018 — reportedly ordered by MBS himself. Macron’s move is now also raising concerns in other EU countries.
Four countries have bid to host the 2030 World Expo — a massive event that allows countries to showcase themselves, held every five years, and which can generate cash, jobs and global attention. As well as Italy and Saudi Arabia, Ukraine and South Korea put themselves forward (although Ukraine’s bid has been excluded because of the invasion).
The race to be host entered a decisive phase this week in Paris, home to the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) — which oversees World Expos — with candidate countries making pitches to delegates from the 179 BIE countries. A vote via secret ballot will determine the winner in November.
“As is often the case, everyone will pretend to be shocked only when faced with the fait accompli,” said a Paris-based diplomat from an EU country other than Italy who was not authorized to speak publicly, referring to the fact that concerns about host countries of global events are often neglected during the selection process but take center-stage right before the event takes place.
It’s “a little bit as happened with Qatar,” the diplomat added, alluding to the corruption scandal at the European Parliament involving the Gulf country which hosted the 2022 football World Cup.
With Ukraine out of the running, leaders of the remaining three bidders have been glad-handing in the French capital in recent days. MBS met Macron at the Elysée last week, followed by Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Tuesday.
Showing off their soft power, the three leaders and their staffers also hosted lavish events intended to woo BIE delegates and French government officials.
But while France’s Culture Minister Rima Abdul-Malak attended the Saudi reception, no French cabinet officials were spotted at Rome’s reception at the Italian embassy. The Italian bash was, however, attended by representatives of the city of Paris, which backs Rome’s bid in a split with the government.
Saudi Arabia on Monday hosted a massive event at the Grand Palais Éphémère, an enormous, modern venue next to the Eiffel Tower, with branded macarons, mocktails and ceremonial sword dancing shows — plus bin Salman’s impressive motorcade.
The Italian event also impressed delegates, with Meloni in attendance plus an outdoor concert by Italian pop star Elisa, astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti, and authentic Italian delicacies.
Asked by POLITICO during the Italian party about Paris not backing Rome’s bid, Meloni said she was “in no position to judge others’ choices” and that she would focus on convincing others.
Meloni’s allies, however, were more outspoken.
“The French government doesn’t show a particular commitment to Europe,” said Nicola Procaccini, an MEP from Meloni’s Brothers of Italy party. He criticized “France’s incoherence,” arguing that Paris has long lectured Italy on human rights while supporting Saudi Arabia “for evident economic reasons that I don’t want to demonize.”
Last week, Italian Tourism Minister Daniela Santanché also criticized Paris for not supporting its neighbor.
Earlier this year, top EU diplomat Josep Borrell said Brussels would support Rome’s candidacy, hoping that EU countries would do the same.
Some BIE delegates, who were not authorized to speak on their country’s choice, were also skeptical of France’s support for Riyadh.
A BIE delegate from an EU country said that Paris was supporting Riyadh for business reasons this was “pragmatic” and “problematic,” and that Saudi Arabia’s promises on respecting workers’ rights were “fairytales.”
Another Brussels-based diplomat noted that it was difficult for EU countries to compete against oil-rich Gulf states that have more money to put on the table and are ready to spend it to get influence.
Doing business
France’s support for Riyadh’s candidacy was confirmed by Macron last year during a controversial Paris visit by bin Salman (dubbed the “bone saw” prince because Saudi agents reportedly used a bone saw to dismember Khashoggi’s body).
Throughout this week’s visit, the French economy and trade ministers — Bruno Le Maire and Olivier Becht — had several meetings with Saudi ministers, officials, and business representatives. Since bin Salman’s visit last summer, no less than four French ministers have visited Saudi Arabia to forge partnerships between French and Saudi businesses.
An Elysée official said that supporting the Saudi Arabian bid was a way “to push” the Gulf state “to make commitments to us on matters that were important for us,” but didn’t elaborate on what those commitments were. Riyadh has been the only World Expo candidate to directly ask for Paris’ endorsement, the same official noted.
Last Friday, Macron and bin Salman discussed regional issues including relations with Iran and the situation in Lebanon and Ukraine. But there is little doubt that economic ties are at the heart of Franco-Saudi relations.
Earlier this week, France’s Airbus announced that Saudi air carrier Flynas has made an order for planes worth $3.7 billion. This week Airbus also signed a deal with Saudi defense company SCOPA to jointly produce helicopters. Saudi Arabia could also reward France by offering financial help at the Summit for a New Global Financial Pact, a Macron-led event that bin Salman will attend in Paris on Thursday and Friday, Le Monde reported.
But economic interests aren’t good reasons to back Saudi Arabia’s bid or welcome bin Salman to Paris, said Ahmed Benchemsi from NGO Human Rights Watch
“The Expo 2030 bid is just part of a string of huge dollar spending activity that Saudi Arabia has been engaging in for the past years to distract the attention of the world from the gruesome human rights violations,” he said.
Jacopo Barigazzi contributed reporting from Brussels. Paul de Villepin and Mari Eccles contributed reporting from Paris.
