QNA
Doha
The 9th of October 2019 witnessed a prominent event and a new achievement added to Qatar’s records, when at that time Minister of Municipality and Environment HE Dr Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Subaie formally received the flag of organising the International Horticultural Exhibition (EXPO 2023) from 2019 organiser China, in the presence of senior officials of the International Horticultural Exhibition as well as representatives of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE). This marked the first step to Expo 2023 Doha.
Qatar receiving the right to host this event reflects international confidence in its efforts and its skillful hosting of major global events at various levels, in addition to its pivotal role in coordinating global efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goals.
Qatar seized the opportunity during its participation in Expo 2019 Beijing four years ago, sending a clear message when its pavilion won the first place in outstanding performance, indicating that Expo Doha would be a milestone in excellence by holding this global event in a manner consistent with international requirements and global standards in terms of hosting excellence and punctuality.
COVID-19 affected the holding of the event as it was postponed for two years and new dates were set — Expo Doha is being organised from October 2, 2023 to March 28, 2024.
Work did not stop during the two years, as the cadres of the relevant authorities in Qatar, with the support of the country’s leadership and relevant government ministries, mobilised their efforts and raced against time to present the best possible version of the event that befits the undeniable reputation of Qatar when it comes to events hosting.
Expo 2023 Doha comes months after the conclusion of one of the most successful global events hosted by Doha, the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. The event was widely talked about, and everyone still remembers the beautiful moments and the masterful touches that Qatar spent years working on, as well as the strenuous efforts, acquired experience and huge projects, which all gained international praise from various parties that attended and watched the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
Regardless of its size, Qatar overcame its geographical challenges and pushed towards large horizons, becoming a bright spot at various levels. The country’s leadership and human cadres proved their ability to confront the biggest global challenges with open and generous arms towards those who are near and far.
Qatar is aware that it is the first country with a desert climate in the Middle East and North Africa to host an International Horticultural Exhibition with an A1 classification, which reflects the level of confidence in the country’s ability to hold the event regardless of the challenges. The event will attract hundreds of thousands of visitors who are looking for new innovations, anticipated projects and unprecedented solutions, at a time when the world is in dire need of help to face multiple climate threats, which recently had a major negative impact on the region reflected in the increase of the area of desertification, dry seasons and the decrease of green spaces.
There is no doubt that Qatar is aiming to include its history and heritage in this global event to reflect the nobility of its identity, as the design for the Qatari pavilion at the Expo 2023 Doha is inspired by one of the country’s most important geographical landmarks Ras Abrouq, a peninsula consisting of white cliffs carved by winds and natural erosion located on the western coast of Qatar. According to historians, Ras Abrouq includes the remains of human settlements dating back to prehistoric times. This reflects the organizers’ goal to have a model that combines heritage and modern design, where a sophisticated design and Qatari art will be embodied.
Expo 2023 Doha will be held under the theme “Green Desert, Better Environment”.
Spanning 1.7 million square meters in the heart of Doha Al Bidda Park, most of the necessary infrastructure and facilities have been completed.
The organisers expect that Expo 2023 Doha will attract three million visitors from more than eighty countries in an unforgettable 179-day event that will include daily and weekly activities that befit the international visitors and their diverse cultures. Qatar’s determination to overcome the challenge of holding the event in the best way stems from the accumulation of experiences gained from organizing successive global events over the past few years, which aligns with Qatar National Vision 2030 that places environmental management and sustainable development at the top of the list of goals and priorities. Qatar is also committed to providing a unique experience to the global community, the country’s citizens and the Gulf region. Doha will be a meeting place of different cultures united by one noble goal of improving the quality of climate, water and soil, as they are essential basics and resources that must be preserved.
Qatar does not only stand out with holding of international festivals and conferences but also their contents. The search for innovative solutions at Expo 2023 Doha will be one of the most important challenges that experts are anticipating, in addition to its contribution to transforming the arid landscapes in different regions of the world to rich and environmentally friendly areas, as well as increasing the green area.
Expo 2023 Doha will try to answer big questions surrounding the earth’s future through showcasing the modern methods by leading companies in the field of alternative energy, environment, agriculture and horticulture, as well as the best products using the most important methods that takes into account sustainability and environmental awareness, in addition to artificial intelligence (AI) which has begun to insert itself in many aspects of life.
As the official intergovernmental institutions turn to Expo 2023 Doha to come up with modern ideas to overcome the serious and ever-expanding environmental risks, the organizers of the exhibition will also provide opportunities and spaces for non-governmental organisations to present their messages and products to a large and wide group of visitors. Environmental and sustainable agriculture activists are looking forward to partaking in the exhibition’s agreements or activities regarding reducing carbon emissions, environment development, agriculture, preserving rain forests, clean water, purity of air and soil and combating pollution, all in order to reach the safety threshold and achieve food security for future generations.
The organisers of Expo 2023 Doha affirm that the event will commit to enhancing the economy of Qatar and the region, strengthen cultural ties, create a meeting point for diverse people and ideas from all around the world, as well as accelerate the pace of creativity, research and scientific progress in the field of digital technologies related to modern agriculture to produce safe and sustainable food that is affordable to all people. Hand in hand, all possible means must be taken to reduce the negative impact of climate change on the planet.
The organisers also hope that Expo 2023 Doha will be a platform that attracts visitors from various continents, as it generates many opportunities for international cooperation and encourages new partnerships. The event will also undoubtedly be a major tourist attraction for visitors from the Gulf and the Arab region, therefore it will strengthen the tourism in Qatar regionally and contribute to building a society based on sustainability throughout the Gulf countries, especially since the region has an integrated structure of airports, ports, hotels and road networks with high international classifications.
