The International Horticultural Exhibition EXPO 2023 Doha, Qatar

With already a massive lineup of activities, from FIFA 2022 to ASIAN GAMES in 2030, Doha isn’t stopping there. It has in its sleeves another global event scheduled from October 2023 to March 2024, the Category A1 International Horticultural Exhibition – which will be the second-largest global event in Qatar, according to reports. The same event was previously held in Beijing in 2019, where Qatar participated and won major awards (see news article here): Best Foreign Pavilion and the Grand Award of the International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH).

Spanning over 2,000 square meters, the Qatar National Pavilion has one of the largest built-up areas and is also the highest constructed building of the Expo. Source: https://news.cgtn.com/news/

This is the Beijing Shiyuanhui Park when they conducted a full-load stress test with more than 60,000 visitors for Beijing Expo 2019. (Photo by Li Wenming from People’s Daily Online) Source: http://en.people.cn/

EVENT PRIMER

“The International Horticultural Exhibition, Expo 2023 Doha, Qatar, will be the first International Horticultural Exhibition to be held in the Middle East and North Africa region. It adopts the theme of Green Desert, Better Environment, which aims to inspire and inform people about innovative solutions with the aim to mitigate and reduce desertification.

Horticultural Expo 2023 Doha will open its doors on 2 October 2023 and host a 179-day celebration during the mild Qatari winter on an area of 170 hectares, until its conclusion on 28 March 2024.

Qatar aims to host an Expo that attracts the international community, including the participation of 80 countries, along with international organisations, private sector representatives, NGOs and the general public. Due to the anticipated diversity of participants, from top decision-makers to children, Expo 2023 Doha is inspired to offer a multifaceted event where extraordinary exhibitions, diplomatic encounters, business meetings, public debates and live shows will take place in its venues.

The event is projected to receive over 3 million visits throughout its opening period, with guests welcomed from all around the world. Admission to the Exhibition Site will be complementary for those who wish to enjoy the delights of the beautiful gardens, international area, activities, and some selected free live events.

The hosting of an International Horticultural Expo within an arid climate is expected to have a profound impact and major legacy around the globe.“

source: https://www.bie-paris.org/site/en/2023-doha

THE VENUE

The site of Horticultural Expo 2023 Doha, Qatar is located in Al Bidda Park, in the heart of Doha.

THE PURPLE AREA: International Area – The Expo gateway and focal point of international gardens, exhibitions, and events. The northern part is approximately 700,000 sqm in size. THE GREEN AREA: Family Area – Utilising a wealth of existing features, this section of the park will act as a hub for family fun, activities, and outdoor gathering. The central zone is approximately 500,000 sqm. THE RED AREA: Cultural Area – Its proximity to the historical center of Doha and existing features such as the Old Fort and Old Rocks make it the perfect venue for cultural and traditional activities and exhibitions. The southern zone is approximately 500,000 sqm in size.

DOHA EXPO 2023 | Al Bidda Park near Fire Station/Cafe999 – https://goo.gl/maps/Ct6NpZVaHzzapLWCA

The site is currently divided into three distinctive areas, of which the Northern portion will host the international event. The remaining two zones will be used for a variety of complementary functions and spectacular experiences for visitors.

International Area (70 ha): The Expo gateway and focal point of international gardens, exhibitions and events.

The area includes the Expo House, a multifunctional building, built purposely for the Expo. Within the Expo House, there is an open events space, a prayer room, and a café on the ground floor. On the first floor, there is a media centre and offices, while the rooftop contains a terrace, an indoor restaurant, and a garden.

The International Area will also have an Innovation Centre located in the second largest existing building on site. The Innovation Centre will include exhibition space for a variety of interactive events. The space will be designed to embrace the Expo theme and will have a dedicated area for children to learn more about the Expo’s sub-themes.

Family Area (50 ha): A hub for family fun, activities, gathering, and outdoor pursuits.

Cultural Area (50 ha): The perfect venue for cultural and traditional activities and exhibitions thanks to its proximity to the historical core of Doha and its on-site features including the Old Fort and Old Rocks.

The Expo site is well located, being just moments from the Corniche (Doha’s pedestrian waterfront promenade) and the pedestrianized historical core of Doha – Msheireb and Souq Waqif.

The site benefits from excellent connectivity, being served by two newly developed metro stations (Corniche station & Al Bidda station) and five large underground car-parking facilities.

Today, Al Bidda is one of the most cherished and well-used public spaces in Doha. Its landscape is mature, beautifully designed, and attracts a wide variety of wildlife.

Such advantageous natural conditions, coupled with undeveloped land reserves means Al Bidda is perfectly positioned to host such a prestigious international event.

source: https://www.bie-paris.org/site/en/2023-doha

HOW DOES IT DIFFER FROM DUBAI EXPO 2020

The Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) is the intergovernmental organisation in charge of overseeing and regulating World Expos, since 1931. An Expo is a global event that aims at educating the public, promoting progress and fostering cooperation. It is the world’s largest meeting place, bringing together countries, the private sector, the civil society and the general public around interactive exhibitions, live shows, workshops, conferences and much more. There are different kinds of expos, namely: World Expo , Specialised Expo, Horticultural Expo, Triennale di Milano

As the first World Expo in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region, Expo 2020 Dubai welcomed visitors from every corner of the globe to join the making of a new world. (Qatar will be organizing The International Horticultural Exhibition, Expo 2023 Doha, Qatar, will be the first International Horticultural Exhibition to be held in the Middle East and North Africa region.)

Source: https://www.bie-paris.org/site/en/2020-dubai

Expo 2020 Dubai provided visitors with a visually striking, emotionally inspiring 182 days, as more than 200 participants – including nations, multilateral organisations, businesses, and educational institutions – created the largest and most diverse World Expo ever.

Through its theme, “Connecting Minds, Creating the Future”, and its three subthemes – Opportunity, Mobility and Sustainability – Expo 2020 Dubai served as the world’s most impactful global incubator for new ideas.

It featured dedicated themed weeks held during the Expo that explored collaborative solutions to global challenges including climate change, health and wellness, inequality, and environmental degradation.

Built with a meaningful and measurable long-term legacy in mind, the Expo site will transform into District 2020 – a model global community that will rethink the cities of the future.

SIGN-UP NOW! https://www.dohaexpo2023.gov.qa/en/volunteers/