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Doha, October 02 (QNA) – The announcement of the State of Qatars organization of the Expo 2023 Doha International Horticultural Exhibition, scheduled to start on Oct. 2, is due to a simple idea that came to the attention of those in charge of the State of Qatars pavilion at Expo Antalya 2016, and then it developed into an integrated hosting file that the relevant authorities worked to translate into tangible reality.
This idea has passed through critical stages. In March 2018, the International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH) approved Qatars request to host the A1 International Horticultural Exhibition in the years 2021-2023, and then the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) officially recognized this on Nov. 22, 2018, after which the State of Qatar received its flag from the Peoples Republic of China on Oct. 9, 2019.
On July 30, 2020, due to the Corona virus pandemic, the Ministry of Municipality and Environment announced at the time that the exhibition, which was scheduled to be held in 2021, was postponed to a later time, until it finally saw the light. The municipalitys announcement on Nov. 24, 2021, to host the activities of the International Horticultural Exhibition (Expo Doha), in Oct. 2023, constituted a milestone in the history of the State of Qatar hosting events, especially since it is the first of its kind in the region and North Africa.
The world’s eyes will once again be directed to Doha amid expectations that the exhibition will be an exceptional edition in form and content considering the state of Qatar’s advanced infrastructure, which qualifies it to win the organization and hosting of international conferences, exhibitions, and events, the most recent of which was the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, which is also a milestone in the countrys history.
The announcement of hosting Expo 2023 Doha was not surprising, but rather it was expected, especially after the successive successes of the State of Qatar, and its active role also at the international level in terms of contributing to achieving the goals of sustainable development and its national vision that places environmental preservation on its list of priorities by seeking to consolidate innovations in various fields, including combating desertification.
With the launch of the activities of the largest international horticultural exhibition, which is hosted by Al Bidda Park, in the city of Doha, under the theme “Green Desert, Better Environment,” over the course of 6 months, everyone will feel what distinguished the State of Qatar in this regard, starting with its many activities, passing through its active and distinguished participation and presence in this global forum, especially Expo 2019 China, where the State of Qatar participated with a distinguished pavilion which received admiration and appreciation, all the way to the organization of the event itself on its soil.
The hosting of Expo 2023 Doha today comes as a culmination of the great efforts of the State of Qatar in the field of horticulture and agriculture, and in recognition of its record of multiple achievements in sustainable development and environmental preservation, and the accompanying excellence in its international participations, and its achievement of prestigious positions due to the contributions it makes in various forums.
It also comes as a continuation of the successes it has achieved at various levels under the wise leadership of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani and based on its support for a greener and more sustainable environment, through its endeavor to preserve the environment, recognizing that climate, water, and soil are indispensable resources, which are of course threatened by depletion and must be preserved.
To understand the symbolism of hosting, its connotations, and its importance to the State of Qatar in particular, and to the entire Arab region, the Qatar News Agency (QNA) polled the opinions of a group of experts and academics who confirmed that Expo 2023 Doha is nothing but a true translation of the success of the State of Qatar in achieving its aspirations to provide a better environment, use technology and innovation in agricultural uses, in addition to its success in enhancing environmental awareness and enhancing the requirements of comprehensive sustainable development, which today has become one of the most important pillars of progress and desired economic growth.
They praised the capabilities that the State of Qatar possesses that strengthened its steps to submit a request to host the exhibition and manage its file wisely and competently, like its successful management of the World Cup tournament file, which was historic and unprecedented by all standards.
The Dean of the School of the Social Sciences and Humanities at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies, Dr. Amal Ghazal, confirms that hosting Expo 2023 Doha, as the first horticulture exhibition in a desert climate, comes within a national vision that seeks to adapt the local and regional environment to achieve sustainability, food security, and reduce the effects of desertification growing in the region.
Ghazal believes that the exhibition enhances the harnessing of science, technology, and human and material resources to develop agriculture creatively, leading to sustainability and the greening of desert spaces, noting that the State of Qatar seeks, by hosting it, to be a pioneer in the field of agricultural innovation, and in providing practical solutions to climate and environmental challenges, which have become a high-level threat to regional and global security.
Dr. Ghazal, confirmed our regions need for these agricultural initiatives and innovations to achieve food and environmental security, noting that the State of Qatar, by hosting this exhibition, places these initiatives on the list of its local and regional priorities.
Vice Dean of Business School, Al al-Bayt University of Jordan, Dr. Omar Khlaif Gharaibeh, points out that the State of Qatar has become a center for world-class international events, and has improved the use of its capabilities and soft power to enhance and consolidate its position on the global political, economic and tourism map, its success in hosting the World Cup contributed to strengthening its international influence, enhancing its economic role, and presenting Qatar and the region in a civilized manner to the world.
He added, Expo 2023 Doha is considered the first international horticultural exhibition to be held in a region with a desert climate, in which deserts constitute a large proportion, which makes it extremely important for the Arab countries to think irreplaceably about rebuilding the desert as it is an essential pillar for the Arab civilization future.
According to Dr. Al Gharaibeh, the importance of the exhibition stems from shedding light on the Arab deserts, which can form a region of communication between the Arab countries, and by investing in them in tourism or agriculture through joint projects, Arab rapprochement and integration can be achieved, deserts in general and Arab deserts in particular have begun to attract tourists looking for peace and tranquility, sand skiing, desert racing (horses, camels, cars, bicycles), and festivals that showcase the cultures and lifestyle of desert peoples.
According to what Dr. Al Gharaibeh said, in addition to the tourist attractions, the Arab deserts have enormous and well-known potential. They are rich in minerals, most notably oil, and rich in underground water reservoirs. Therefore, their reconstruction is one of the most important duties, by establishing a regional Arab union to reduce desertification and achieve sustainable development in the desert areas.
It is expected that hosting the exhibition will contribute to raising Arab environmental awareness, which focuses on developing the Arab deserts, through a well-known methodology in spatial development, by focusing on all human settlements located on the edges of the deserts, These settlements are classified into 3 development levels: Growth Poles, Growth Centers, and Growth Points, with the aim of achieving the ultimate goal of rebuilding deserts and achieving comprehensive sustainable development of the deserts of the extended Arab region.
Regarding the importance of holding the exhibition in a desert climate, the writer and economic expert, Ahmed Akl, said in a statement to the Qatar News Agency (QNA) that hosting it is an essential gain for any country, and an important event that helps move the economy forward, and opens new investment opportunities, as well as improving the level of work. In horticulture at the level of the State of Qatar and the region.
It comes because of the successes of Qatari diplomacy and the management of its deep-rooted and complex relations with various countries of the world, and reflects the great confidence that countries have in Qatar, especially after its success in organizing various activities and events, such as the recent World Cup, which received popular demand, confirmed the state’s ability to win new partners and investors.
The exhibition reflects the great determination of the State of Qatar to develop all important basic matters related to human life. We have seen it in cybersecurity, water, food, combating corruption, and now in horticultural, and the transition to a green area.
He added that the event is very important and helps transfer technology and modern agricultural methods to the Arab region, such as agriculture in water without soil, and we expect to see it here at Expo Doha, which will have a major role in developing many operations and finding investors for this vital sector.
Regarding the desert climate, Akl pointed to the efforts of the State of Qatar to spread the green patch, by encouraging farmers and supporting their activities.
We have seen many vegetables being produced locally today, and work is continuing to benefit from every drop of water, and to employ technical methods to improve local agricultural production, such as farming without soil. This will develop the capabilities of desert countries and others and secure their food stocks.
It is believed that the exhibition will have significant and important contributions to the development of agricultural methods, in addition to establishing partnerships internally and externally, at the level of materials and technologies, land reclamation and exploitation, especially after the success of the State of Qatar in developing its livestock and expanding the breeding of sheep and livestock.
(QNA)
