Doha Expo 2023: A Celebration of Innovation and Sustainability

Updated On: February 13, 2024 by   Marwa Alaa

Are you a horticulture, innovation, and sustainability enthusiast? Then, you should visit Doha Expo 2023. Promising a green legacy, it provides a remarkable experience for travellers and innovators alike. “Green Desert, Better Environment is its theme. You can participate in panel discussions, diplomatic encounters, and public debates. On the other hand, you will enjoy watching live shows and immersing yourself in cultural and fun activities. 

Desertification threatens one-third of the world’s land surface, increasing by 12 hectares yearly. It occurs when fertile land turns into a desert due to various factors, like overgrazing, climate change, drought, urbanisation, deforestation, and improper agriculture. The more arid the land becomes, the less it supports the worldwide citizens. This transformation results in land degradation, ecosystem fragility, and biodiversity loss. It also affects the livelihoods of millions of people who benefit from the ecosystems these drylands provide. Additionally, rural people migrate to urban areas, causing economic and environmental challenges. 

To reverse the desertification problems, Doha Expo 2023 aims to promote irrigation with natural water sources and renewable energy supplies. It also seeks to control grazing and allow natural re-vegetation. It also aspires to prevent soil erosion, loss of fertility, and poor irrigation practices and mitigate harsh climate conditions. Combating global water and energy scarcity and fighting against food insecurity and malnutrition are also essential parts of their plan. 

By greening deserts, the world will have a better environment because green spaces reduce the temperature, absorb atmospheric carbon dioxide, and fight against global warming. That is why Doha Expo 2023 will host people from around the world to cooperate and share their goals. Partnering with an exhibition booth construction company brings impactful vision and designs to life, showcasing innovative solutions. It wants participants to exchange information, find key strategic solutions, and use innovative horticultural techniques and technologies.

What is Doha Expo 2023?

As the first country in the MENA region to host the FIFA World Cup, Qatar is retaking the lead by hosting the international horticultural exhibition of the Doha Expo 2023. Expo 2023 is a global event that brings worldwide visitors together to celebrate the latest innovations in horticulture and environmental conservation. It is the meeting point for all those who love arts, crafts, technology, and the growth of plants and flowers.

Doha Expo 2023 is the first of its kind to be held in the MENA region, within an arid climate and in a desert-enclosed setting. It aims to increase environmental awareness, promote sustainability, and advance green technology for urban settings and arid regions. This enormous horticultural exhibition will profoundly affect Qatar, the GCC countries, and the world. 

The International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH) approved Doha Expo 2023 as A1 international horticultural exhibition. The Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) also recognised it in line with the 1928 Paris Convention Relating to International Exhibitions. This global exhibition is organised under the auspices of the Ministry of Municipality and Environment on behalf of Qatar. 

Doha Expo 2023 Theme and Sub-Themes

“Green Desert, Better Environment” is the theme of the International Horticulture Expo 2023 Doha. Its ideal has economic, social, scientific, educational, and environmental aspects. It combines traditional practices with modern and alternative techniques, like permaculture, vermiculture, and hydroponics, in a sustainable manner. 

The concept of “Green Desert, Better Environment” entails modern agriculture that is based on technology and innovation and supported by environmental awareness in order to achieve sustainability. Here are the four sub-themes:

1. Modern Agriculture 

The world’s population is increasing, and how we grow food significantly affects desertification. That is why Doha Expo 2023 aspires to accelerate innovation, research, and scientific advancements in Modern Agriculture. It aims to integrate traditional wisdom with modern technology to reduce climatic issues and produce safe, sustainable, and affordable food. So, the sub-theme of Modern Agriculture focuses on four topics:

1. Enhancing Farmers’ Role: Farmers can change the world’s agriculture and lifestyle. They have the experience and the everyday perspective that allows them to inform, promote, and implement strategic solutions to fight desertification.
2. Bridging Knowledge and Technology: The industry must integrate with academic science and exchange solutions to efficiently use resources while practising agriculture.
3. Ensuring Coordinated Solutions: As per the exchange of information, modern agriculture’s main stakeholders must adopt new cooperation and coordination methods. They should develop and share information on these techniques that combine tradition and innovation. This way, they will help fight desertification.  
4. Promoting Permaculture: Doha Expo promotes permaculture to maintain modern agriculture. It is a holistic and symbiotic approach that combines land, resources, the environment, and people to develop beneficial synergetic farming systems. These systems are based on crop diversity, natural productivity, sustainability, and resilience. Permaculture is plantable in rural and urban contexts, from industrial to domestic.  

2. Technology and Innovation

Incorporating innovative techniques in agriculture enhances farming productivity and balances environmental sustainability. Innovation and technology have a vital role in creating solutions for the use of fossil fuels and urban and industrial pollution. They also establish resilient and energy-efficient farming methods that aim to reduce the use of chemical-intensive agriculture and advance its alternatives. 

In Doha Expo 2023, Technology and Innovation focus on four topics:

1. Hands-On Experience: Technology and innovation offer farmers a better and more sustainable way to grow plants (i.e. providing sufficient water). 
2. Alternative Energy Solutions: Depending on fossil fuels to fight desertification is inconsistent. The best solution to reverse desertification is to adopt alternative energy sources, such as biomass, hydropower, solar panels, and wind turbines. 
3. Rainwater Harvesting: Rainwater harvesting means collecting a large amount of rain from a water-like surface to store it for later use. Harvested rainwater benefits irrigation by supplementing the subsoil water level and increasing urban greenery. 
4. Urban Greenery and Farming: Cities are fertile ground for change. Urban greenery helps control air pollution. However, urban farming diminishes carbon footprint through the efficient use of space, energy, and water and the curbs on the need for food transportation.

3. Environmental Awareness

The physical environment is fragile, although it is indispensable. Our mission is to fix the issues that threaten our environment. That is why Doha Expo 2023 aspires to promote a long-term change in our attitudes and behaviours towards the environment. It aims to heighten global awareness of environmental issues to help protect natural resources and promote sustainable development.

The sub-theme of Environmental Awareness emphasises three areas:

1. Affiliation Besides Education: Education is insufficient to change people’s habits. Affiliation is more powerful as it allows you to join others and develop creative and adaptive programmes. 
2. FoodPrint: Secure access to healthy food is the most common issue we face nowadays. Expo 2023 Doha encourages healthy eating, supports sustainable agriculture, and emphasises the reduction of food waste. 
3. Perma Gardening: Applied in urban and rural areas, perma gardening can control erosion, emphasise sustainability, and contribute to recycling.

4. Sustainability

Acknowledging the need for civilisation to sustain a modern way of life, sustainability aims to maintain biodiversity and ecological balance. Doha Expo aspires to achieve this goal by balancing different needs at local and global levels. It is our responsibility to recognise and address global environmental issues. Then, we can change governmental policies, business practices, and lifestyles in a way that respects future generations, maintains a green future for them, and gives them the opportunity to meet their needs. 

The sub-theme of Sustainability has three pillars:

1. Economic: Qatar aims to invest in innovative technologies in agriculture. 
2. Social: It aspires to raise awareness among people and connect them with nature.
3. Environmental: It also aims to transform dry, arid land into agricultural, green areas.

Doha Expo 2023 Goal

Greening the desert was once a challenge, but now it is possible, and we can do it together. Shedding light on this, Qatar celebrates sustainability, innovation, and horticulture on a global scale at Doha Expo 2023. The theme of this massive event is “Green Desert, Better Environment”. Their goal is to encourage, inspire, and inform individual visitors and the international community about innovative solutions to fight desertification and improve the quality of air and water.

Doha Expo 2023 Objectives

According to its National Vision of 2030, Qatar has primary objectives for Doha Expo 2023. They include:

• Hosting the first horticultural exhibition in the MENA region that has a desert climate;
• Leading the MENA region in how to apply the Green City concept in an arid area;
• Tackling the global challenge of desertification;
• Explaining the connection between greenery and human health;
• Promoting international cooperation on environmental, cultural, and financial issues;
• Inviting the global horticultural community to share experience and exchange knowledge;
• Encouraging horticultural innovation in Qatar; and
• Stimulating international investments in the country.

Doha Expo 2023 Dates

Doha Expo 2023 will open its doors on 2 October 2023. Hosting a 179-day celebration in the winter, it will end on 28 March 2024. This massive event is expected to attract over three million visitors from around the world. All guests will have free admission to the exhibition site and will enjoy the beautiful gardens and the exciting activities.

Eighty countries will participate in the exhibition, along with international organisations, private sector representatives, and NGOs. The global event of the Doha Expo will also attract the general public, from top decision-makers to children. All guests will have free admission to the exhibition site and will enjoy the beautiful gardens and the exciting activities.

Doha Expo 2023 Site

The International Horticultural Doha Expo 2023 will be held in Al Bidda Park, a few steps from the Doha Corniche between Doha Port and West Bay. Al Bidda is one of Doha’s most cherished green public spaces, covering an area of 1,700,000 m² (170 hectares). You will be captivated by its beautiful designs and enchanting landscapes. 

The Doha Expo site comprises spacious pavilions for participating countries. You can reach it through one of the two newly developed metro stations: Al Bidda and Corniche Stations. If you are driving, you will find five large underground car-parking facilities. 

The site is divided into three distinct areas to enhance the event’s unique offering. They are:

1. International Area: 

Located in the Northern zone, the International Area is the expo gateway. Covering an area of 70 hectares, it is the focal point of international gardens and pavilions. It includes the three-storey Expo House with an open event space and a café on the ground floor. The Expo House also has a media centre on the first floor, and a terrace and a garden on the rooftop. There is also an indoor restaurant to try some local dishes and enhance your experience of Doha, Qatar.

The International Area comprises international gardens, desert parks, and desert platforms to enjoy your time with your family and friends. It also has a Farmers’ Market where you can buy agricultural products and baked goods directly from farmers. The area also has an Innovation Centre with an exhibition space for various interactive events. This centre also has a kids’ area to provide young visitors with information about the Expo theme in a fun, engaging way.

2. Family Area: 

The Family Area is the Expo’s Central zone that attracts parents and children alike. Extending over 50 hectares, it is a hub for family-friendly recreation, outdoor activities, and gatherings. It has a family theatre that offers fun and informative family-friendly shows.

3. Cultural Area: 

The Expo’s Southern zone is the Cultural Area, which is approximately 50 hectares. It is near the historical core of Doha and has on-site features, like the Old Fort and the Old Rocks. It is the perfect venue for various cultural and traditional exhibitions and activities. At the Southern Entrance, you can stroll along Expo Boulevard and enjoy the brightly coloured designs and smell the aroma of the different plants. You can also have fun in the Eco Park and the Concert Plaza.

Once the Doha Expo 2023 finishes, Qatar will transform the exhibition site into an international fan zone for the 2022 World Cup. It will also transform another part into the city’s main green centre, Doha Grand Park.

Immerse Yourself in Culture and Innovation at Doha Expo 2023

Join the global community at Doha Expo 2023 and be part of a meaningful movement towards a sustainable future. Bringing this idea to life requires involving people, obtaining social support, and realising global cultural change. The sustainability of any endeavour is impossible if people cannot change their mindsets and their perspectives on the future. 

Discover the Future at Doha Expo 2023!