Doha, HE Minister of Municipality and Chairman of the national committee for hosting the Horticultural Expo 2023 Doha Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Subaie underscored the significance of hosting conferences and major events by Qatar, including agricultural exhibitions in quest of promoting its status on the map of vital international events.
He pointed out that the Expo 2023 Doha is considered the largest event to be hosted by the State of Qatar after the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, which contributes to upgrading its pioneering status as a vital regional and international hub for major events.
In an exclusive interview with Qatar News Agency , HE the minister pointed out that this global expo features the participation of 80 states and is anticipated to draw more than 3 million visitors over the next six months, adding that such a unique edition of the expo strives to promote the notion of green desert as a primary focus to be highlighted in the coming years, which constitutes an opportunity to explore innovative solutions that address water scarcity, desertification problems, handling climate changes, establishing a platform that brings together persons and ideas to accelerate the pace of innovation, creativity, research and scientific progress in modern agriculture to produce a secure and sustainable food for world population.
HE the minister pointed out that this major global event largely contributes to updating the plans pursued by the ministry to further utilize the latest cutting-edge agricultural technologies, especially in agricultural digital transformation to achieve efficiency in production, ensure sustainability, preservation of natural resources, as well as achieve Qatar National Vision 2030.
This global event helps upgrade services, localize agricultural facilities, and promote local production through expansion in the utilization of cutting-edge crop production technologies that are appropriate for local climate settings to increase the space of planted areas and elevate the percentage of self-sufficiency from food commodities, carry out projects to optimize the efficiency of utilizing irrigation water in agriculture through using modern irrigation systems.
He emphasized that the event also contributes to establishing new projects in aquaculture, optimizing local production of fresh fish, in addition to achieving a production boom that upgrades self-sufficiency rates in animal products to globally advanced rates in global food security indicator, and subsequently increase the strategic stock of key and essential commodities in times of crises and disasters.
HE Minister of Municipality added that Expo 2023 Doha broadly addresses four major themes; modern agriculture through which the scientific progress is harnessed in producing safe, sustainable and cost-effective foods, particularly in desert settings, as well as technology and innovation, pointing out that the themes focuses on new technologies management to bolster agricultural productivity and achieve equilibrium of environmental sustainability and primarily focuses on raising the global awareness on the importance of conserving the environment and sustainability.
They also focus on achieving balance between a variety of needs, in addition to promoting economic, technological, and environmental awareness, His Excellency affirmed.
Expo 2023 Doha promotes the bridges of communication between the Qatari private sector and its counterparts globally through their engagement in this global activity to further hold bilateral meetings to share expertise, as well as sign agreements and memorandums of understanding to reinforce cooperation in agriculture, Al Subaie pointed out, indicating that the expo is a valuable opportunity to create a convergence hub among all officials, experts and professionals in agriculture and horticulture to share expertise and utilize innovation, research and scientific progress in the area of modern agriculture to produce safe and sustainable food production with cost-effective prices for world population with the essential efforts to reduce effects of climate change.
Commenting on the significance of Qatar's hosting this event notwithstanding that Qatar is characterized by a desert climate, HE Minister of Municipality outlined that hosting Expo 2023 Doha is an opportunity to explore innovative solutions that handle water scarcity, desertification, and avenues to deal with climate change challenges.
He indicated that the organization of this event reflects the confidence Qatar has gained, stemming from its enduring efforts to support environment conservation efforts and sustainability to further accomplish the milestones it has achieved in this field, affirming that this critical global expo that runs for 179 days is a vital platform to achieve sustainability in agriculture and horticulture and an opportunity to formulate innovative solutions with the participation of nearly 80 states, along with international organizations, as well as various representatives of the state sectors.
He elucidated that the expo draws agricultural stakeholders, academics and research think tanks to share expertise and learn about the cutting-edge innovations utilized in irrigation and horticulture, as well as major firms and leading factories in agricultural technology and horticulture which primarily help upgrade Qatari national experience to achieve ambitions in food security, along with the optimum utilization of resources through capitalizing on the experiences of others, as well as briefing them on Qatar's experience in increasing the green areas, water rationalization, preservation of natural resources and utilization of cutting-edge technologies.
Commenting on the reason behind the co-opting for the motto of the event: 'Green Desert, Better Environment', HE Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Subaie said the selection of this motto is a testament to the possibility of converting countries of a desert climate into a green oasis and large gardens through expansion in the construction of parks and the cultivation of trees and plants through utilizing cutting-edge technologies, despite the challenges that were posing impediments in the past, such as water scarcity and dry of soil.
He pointed out that prior to launching of Doha expo, the main building of Expo 2023 Doha that was constructed by the Public Works Authority 'Ashghal' has been registered in Guinness World Records, because it occupies a largest green roof in the world, extending over an area of 4,031 square meters. (MORE)
Source: Qatar News Agency