Photo credit: Official website of Expo 2023 Doha
Doha, Qatar: The upcoming Expo 2023 Doha is not just a magnificent showcase of gardens and stunning landscapes. It is an event with a deeper purpose — to educate visitors on sustainability and climate change and to introduce new technologies for climate change adaptation.
The Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) Secretary General, Dimitri Kerkentzes, highlighted the significance of education at expos and emphasised the urgent need for global cooperation in tackling climate change. BIE is the organisation responsible for overseeing and regulating world expos.
Kerkentzes stressed that the expo serves as a platform to inform the general public about the steps needed to adapt to the challenges posed by climate change. Regardless of nationality or geographical location, all individuals must understand that climate change is a reality that demands action. The expo brings together countries from various regions, each with their own unique climates, to collectively educate visitors about the necessary changes that must be made in their daily lives.
“All types of expos have always been about education. And this is the point for general visitors: that we would be able to show them new technologies — how are we going to adapt for climate change, what kind of changes we will have to make in our daily lives that whether we like it or not, we would probably be compulsory at some point because climate change seems to be a very clear reality all over the world,” he told The Peninsula.
He stressed that the expo aims to demonstrate how embracing these transformations is crucial for the well-being of the planet as a whole. It is a call for global unity, recognising that no single country is solely responsible for climate change, and no single country can single-handedly solve it, Kerkentzes explained.
The International Horticultural event extends far beyond the beauty of its gardens, the Secretary General noted. It includes a comprehensive thematic programme encompassing seminars, forums, and educational initiatives on sustainability and climate change. Visitors are encouraged to take advantage of these opportunities and delve into the educational aspect of the expo.
Furthermore, participating countries, along with Qatar as the host country, are committed to working on projects that will leave a lasting impact even after the expo concludes.
While the expo and the upcoming COP28 are distinct events, they both contribute to the urgent global conversation on sustainability. In fact, the proximity of the expo to COP28 serves as a reminder that the Middle East is currently at the forefront of discussions on sustainability and climate action, Kerkentzes stressed.
The Secretary General said one of the aims of the expo is to foster meaningful discussions and initiatives that extend beyond the expo’s timeline. By doing so, Expo 2023 Doha seeks to leave a lasting imprint on the world, similar to the intellectual legacies left by horticultural expos of the past.
“Expo 2023 Doha will feature deep aspects on measures to adapt and overcome the adversity of current challenges while leaving a strong expansive intellectual legacy.”
The six-month long event will be held at Al Bidda Park, from October 2 to March 28, 2024. Over three million people are expected to attend the second largest event that the country will be hosting, after the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
