Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman will head to France on Wednesday on an official visit, during which he will meet President Emmanuel Macron, according to the Saudi royal court.

In a statement published at dawn on Wednesday, the court said that Mohammed bin Salman has left the kingdom for France, where he will lead the kingdom's delegation participating in the "For a New Global Financial Pact" summit to be held in Paris on June 22 and 23.

The prince will also participate in the Kingdom's official reception for Riyadh's candidacy to host Expo 2030, to be held in Paris next Monday, according to the statement.

The de facto ruler of the world's largest oil exporter visited Paris in July 2022, during which he met Macron, in the context of the rise in energy prices due to the war in Ukraine, which sparked harsh criticism, especially from leftists and human rights advocates.

This was his first visit to Europe since the assassination of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi at his country's consulate in Istanbul in October 2018.

A CIA report concluded that the crown prince "authorized" the killing of Khashoggi, but Riyadh denies this and indicates the involvement of rogue elements in the horrific crime.

Despite the reforms he has implemented in his country, the crown prince is under criticism for a crackdown on activists and opponents, even from within the ruling family.

Khashoggi's murder damaged his image as a reformer on the international stage.