Minister of Municipality, H E Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Subaie (2nd left); Qatar Airways Group CEO, H E Akbar Al Baker (1st left); Expo 2023 Doha Commissioner General, H E Bader Omar Ismail Al Dafa (2nd right); and Expo 2023 Doha Secretary General, Muhammad Al Khouri at the signing ceremony.
Qatar Airways and Hamad International Airport (HIA) have been named as the official partners of Expo 2023 Doha. Qatar Airways is the official airline partner while HIA is the strategic partner.
An official signing ceremony was held yesterday at the Ministry of Municipality, attended by Expo 2023 National Committee’s Chairman and Minister of Municipality, H E Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Subaie; Qatar Airways Group CEO and Qatar Tourism Chairman, H E Akbar Al Baker; Expo 2023 Doha Commissioner General, H E Bader Omar Ismail Al Dafa; Hamad International Airport COO, Engr. Badr Al Meer and Expo 2023 Doha Secretary- General, Muhammad Al Khouri.
The partnership with the national carrier of Qatar and its hub in Doha will increase the city’s tourism attractiveness and solidify Expo 2023’s status as an international event and the country’s next global milestone. After the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, Expo 2023 is the country’s second-largest event.
The six-month Expo 2023 Doha, which is scheduled to take place from October 2023 to March 28, 2024, would place a significant emphasis on climate change, said a top official.
Qatar Airways Group CEO and Qatar Tourism Chairman, H E Akbar Al Baker said yesterday that the event is “a key international addition to the [Qatar] calendar and we will see a major focus on climate change.” He added climate change has a well-documented impact on aviation, and that Qatar Airways Group is leading the aviation industry’s effort to minimise CO2 emissions and other types of environmental damage. “We are participating and particularly pleased to see the country bringing together many organisations to participate and contribute to the Expo 2023 Doha Qatar over the coming years.” said Al Baker, adding that there will be compelling travel packages for the event.
Expo 2023 National Committee’s Chairman and Minister of Municipality, H E Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Subaie (centre); Qatar Airways Group CEO and Qatar Tourism Chairman, H E Akbar Al Baker (second left); Expo 2023 Doha Commissioner General, H E Bader Omar Ismail Al Dafa (second right); Hamad International Airport COO, Engr. Badr Al Meer (first left), and Expo 2023 Doha Secretary- General, Muhammad Ali Al Khouri (first right) during the signing ceremony.
Expo 2023 Doha is the first horticultural exhibition in the region with a desert climate, encouraging horticultural innovation centred on climate change, water, and soil sustainability.
Al Baker also noted that the country is hosting a number of key events this year, and they hoped to stage internationally renowned events that will enable “to build upon our investment in infrastructure and our hospitality industry in order to offer more specialised tourism, world-class sporting activity including the Geneva International Motor Show and the Formula 1 Grand Prix” which are both happening in October.
Meanwhile, Engr. Al Meer said HIA is looking forward to welcome visitors of the horticultural event.
“As the main entry point for travellers, we aim to offer passengers arriving in the State of Qatar an unmatched airport experience and seamless connectivity to the city of Doha and the event.”
The 179-day Expo is expected to draw three million people from all across the globe.
Expo 2023 Doha Secretary-General Al Khoori said that one of the main pillars of the event will be attracting tourists and with a variety of fun activities for visitors of all ages, including children and families.
"Expo will turn into the country’s main attraction between the end of 2023 and the beginning of 2024," he said. The event is the first of its kind to take place in the country, the Middle East, and North Africa, and will be held at Al Bidda Park.
“Green Desert, Better Environment” is the theme of the expo, which aims to address the issues of desertification and sustainability that hot desert countries deal with. Additionally, it will open up new opportunities for Qatar and the Middle East to advance agriculture and green urban areas.
