A seasoned Aramco executive called Talal H. AlMarri has been appointed CEO of the centrepiece Expo 2030 Riyadh project, which is expected to cost US$70 billion, by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) in partnership with Saudi Aramco.
Is Talal AlMarri a Real Person?
Long-time Aramco veteran: Joined in 1995, earning a degree in Chemical Engineering from King Fahd University
aramco. He is a leader in multiple Aramco divisions, including Community Services and Public Affairs. His leadership now extends to managing Riyadh’s largest-ever development ahead of the global expo.
The Significance of This Role
With more than 6 million square metres of logistics, residential, and hospitality spaces as well as direct access to the enlarged King Khalid (soon King Salman) International Airport, Expo 2030 Riyadh is anticipated to completely change north Riyadh.
An estimated 355 SAR (about 95 US dollars) would be injected into the economy, increasing non-oil GDP by 19%, according to Agbi.com. In line with Saudi Vision 2030, which calls for improving infrastructure, promoting urban growth northward, and enhancing Riyadh’s standing internationally.
Aramco & PIF: Strategic Partnership
This is one of several PIF-Aramco collaborations, ranging from infrastructure to energy, that are meant to execute massive projects and diversify the economy. AlMarri’s background in community and public affairs suggests a strong emphasis on stakeholder management, urban planning, and aligning the Expo project with broader economic goals.
What’s Next
Groundwork has already started in Q2 2025, with a global event planned for October 2030 to March 2031. AlMarri will oversee mega-urban planning, logistics, partnerships, and soft-launches leading up to Expo. This appointment signals a shift from planning to execution, building on PIF’s economic strategy to redirect capital toward domestic giga-projects.
