British Ambassador H E Jon Wilks
Doha: The UK will have a “strong presence” at the International Horticultural Expo 2023 Doha, which is taking place from October 2023 to March 2024 at Al Bidda Park.
Expo 2023 will be an opportunity to showcase the vibrant horticultural sector in the UK, said British Ambassador H E Jon Wilks CMG while speaking to media recently.
“We are planning for there (Expo 2023) to be a UK presence, but we haven’t agreed all the details yet of the partnerships. However, we see this as an opportunity to showcase a sector that is important in the UK,” said Ambassador Wilks.
First of its kind in the Middle East and North Africa region, the Expo 2023 Doha will explore sustainable solutions that enable the sustainable cultivation of trees and crops, especially in desert and arid regions.
The six-month-long event is expected to draw three million visitors from all over the world and will feature pavilions of more than 80 countries including the UK.
“Horticulture is part of the culture of the UK. Everybody loves spending time in their gardens or visiting gardens or parks; and I think when Qataris visit London, they spend a lot of time in green areas, particularly in the summer. So we want to bring something special about the country experience of horticulture when they come to visit the expo,” he added.
Although all details of the UK’s participation at Expo 2023 have not been finalised, Ambassador Wilks said, “I’m optimistic that we will have a very strong presence [at the expo].”
Expo 2023 is the second-largest global event in Qatar after the World Cup; and work on the main 1,700,000sqm facility that will house the expo is over 80 percent complete, according to officials.
Qatar is using innovative sustainability and greenery solutions at the expo facility, including hydroponic structures and mechanically stabilised earth (MSE) retaining wall to reduce the use of water and other resources.
The Expo will be divided into three areas: the international area, the cultural area and the family area. Each area will have various activities and events over a period of six months.
The Expo’s theme is ‘Green Desert, Better Environment’, which aims to inspire and inform guests and the international community about innovative solutions to mitigate desertification.
