The Expo House located in the splendid Al Bidda Park played host to the closing ceremony of Expo 2023 Doha which was attended by a number of distinguished guests including HE Minister of Municipality Abdullah bin Hamad bin Abdullah Al Attiya, HE Commissioner General Bader bin Omar Al Dafa, HE Secretary General of Expo 2023 Mohammad Ali Al Khoury, as well as AIPH Secretary General Mr. Tim Briercliffe, and BIE Secretary General Mr. Dimitri S. Kerkentzes.
In addition to the VIP lineup, the ceremony was marked by the presence of pavilion directors and delegations representing the participation nations, as well as the representatives of the various institutions, organizations, and companies that participated in the Expo’s events and activities, and a number of staff members and volunteers as well as the members of the Expo 2023 Doha Organizing Committee.
Since opening its doors to the public on October 2, Expo 2023 Doha delivered a series of impressive accomplishments and milestones that left a mark on sustainability and environmental efforts in Qatar and the world. The event saw the participation of over 75 countries and organizations that set up pavilions in the international zone and celebrated the national day of 54 participating nations. The Expo also offered a unique platform to thought leaders, policy makers, and experts who discussed advanced solutions to pressing global challenges including water scarcity, desertification, and climate change. The Expo’s 3 zones (international, family, and cultural) hosted over 7,000 events that helped create an atmosphere like no other for the event’s visitors that totaled over 4 million, and a number of partnership agreements were also signed with leading institutions at the local and international level.
The Expo 2023 Doha Organizing Committee staged a sustainable event that incorporated sustainability into the majority of operations. In this context, the Expo featured several sustainable buildings constructed using 3D printing technology, such as children’s playgrounds, rest areas, and biodegradable furniture. Visitors were also encouraged to use public transport given the Al Bidda Park’s proximity to the metro station. The most notable accomplishment, however, was raising the awareness of citizens and residents alike of the power of plants, the importance of sustainability, and the role that community members can play to support sustainable behaviors and help make the Qatar National Vision 2030 a reality and deliver the objectives that were the main pillars of the event.
Speaking to reporters following the conclusion of the closing ceremony, HE Minister of Municipality Abdullah bin Hamad bin Abdullah Al Attiya said: “Expo 2023 Doha was a watershed in the history of international horticultural exhibitions; it is the first A1 exhibition held in the MENA Region, and garnered substantial attention and participation from the public and private sector as well as civil society organizations in an effort to accomplish our shared objectives and find innovative solutions to combat desertification and build a green and sustainable environment for current and future generations. These objectives embody our unwavering commitment to the Qatar National Vision, which seems to transform Qatar by 2030 into a developed country that’s capable of advancing sustainable development and preserving the environment. Since we won the hosting right for the Expo, we ensured that all arrangements are made to guarantee the success of this unique global event that constitutes an effective platform for the promotion of collaboration and raising awareness of the importance of environmental preservation and sustainability in horticulture and agriculture to help build a green and sustainable future for all. The Expo was held over 179 days with the participation of 77 countries in the Al Bidda Park in the heart of Doha and welcomed nearly 4,220,000 visitors – a figure that far exceeded expectations and was a testament to meticulous organization and diverse events. And speaking of events, the exhibition saw nearly 7,000 various events including 54 national day celebrations, 24 conferences and seminars, 198 events held by ministries and government entities, and 600 theater plays, in addition to 1,727 workshops that addressed various Expo themes including sustainability, environmental awareness, modern agriculture, innovative technology, agricultural innovation, and many others. Qatar was determined to host a special and unique edition of the Expo as part of our efforts to rationalize the use of natural resources, protect ecosystems, and bolster our capacities and resilience to overcome future environmental challenges in line with the 3rd national development strategy 2024-2030 which encourages individuals and organizations to build a sustainable society that puts environmental protection at the forefront of its priorities.”
Located in the heart of Doha, the Al Bidda Park hosted Expo 2023 Doha between October 2, 2023, and March 28, 2024. For a period of 6 consecutive months, the event welcomed over 4 million visitors who enjoyed a unique experience and were introduced to the participating countries’ culture, initiatives, and innovations in the area of sustainability, environmental preservation, and traditional and modern agriculture, and developed a renewed understanding of the extent of environmental challenges faced by mankind and the efforts being made by the global community to overcome these challenges through innovative solutions.
