RIYADH — Ecuador supports Saudi Arabia's bid to host Expo 2030, Ecuadorean foreign minister Juan Carlos Holguin told Saudi minister of state for foreign affairs Adel Al-Jubeir. Al-Jubeir received a phone call from Holguin on Friday and discussed bilateral relations between the two countries. He said: "It was a pleasure to speak to my friend, @juancaholguin, Foreign Minister of the Republic of Ecuador and fellow Georgetown University graduate, who conveyed his country's support for the Kingdom's bid to host Expo-2030." "The Kingdom values its relationship with the Republic of Ecuador and looks forward to developing it in all areas for the benefit of both countries and peoples," Al-Jubeir added. Five countries, including Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Italy, Ukraine and Russia are in the reckoning for the 2030 World Expo. The letter announcing Riyadh's intention to bid was submitted Oct. 29, 2021 on behalf of Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, deputy prime minister and minister of defense.