Staff Writer
A senior official from the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), the body in charge of supervising and regulating World Expos, has expressed confidence that Qatar will be fully prepared for the momentous six-month event starting in October. Expo 2023 Doha is just three months away.
A BIE delegation visited the Expo House and Al Bidda Park yesterday to review the most recent advancements concerning the half-year event.
Dimitri Kerkentzes, secretary general of the BIE, gave assurances that the construction was proceeding according to plan. He emphasized the significance of nations starting the preparations for their pavilions and expressed his joy that three of them have already begun their efforts, saying that everything will be ready for the grand inauguration.
80 countries will take part in the Expo, according to Kerkentzes. But he emphasized that quality is more important to him than quantity, saying: “I would be happy if we were just about 40 countries, because I want strong content and I think it’s important enough that Doha and the world deserve a very strong content.”
The Secretary General emphasized that the upcoming Expo will feature a complete thematic program that includes more than just gardens and pavilions.
He stated his hope that the occasion will result in something bigger, especially in light of its timing in conjunction with COP28, an important conference on sustainability. According to Kerkentzes, a six-month event has the potential to have a greater impact. For this reason, the organizers and the government are assiduously working to create a strong theme programming that involves numerous specialized agencies and organizations from across the world. The goal, according to him, is to surpass prior accomplishments of horticulture expos in terms of intellectual legacy.
Separately, the Secretary General of Expo 2023 Doha, Engr. Mohammed Ali Al Khouri, announced that all of the venue’s construction has been finished, and that it would be open to visitors beginning in September, one month before the event’s scheduled launch.
Al Khouri emphasized that the event’s climax will fall within Qatar’s three best weather months: December, January, and February.
He emphasized Qatar’s dedication to completing preparations as soon as possible while upholding the highest standards in order to draw more than three million tourists. Al Khouri emphasized that these visits are not just for the duration of the Expo but will continue after that, with the Expo site acting as a center for education and enrichment, especially given that this is the first time a similar event has been conducted in a desert nation.
Expo 2023 Doha will last 179 days, making it the second-largest event Qatar will hold after the World Cup in 2022. It is scheduled to take place from October 2, 2023, to March 28, 2024.
The Expo, which had been scheduled for 2020 but was delayed because of the COVID-19 epidemic, has the theme “Green Desert, Better Environment” and seeks to address the issues of desertification and sustainability faced by hot desert countries.
Through the subthemes of modern agriculture, technology and innovation, environmental awareness, and sustainability, it will act as a platform to demonstrate the advancement of agriculture, the greening of cities, and to inspire tourists. The purpose of the event is to establish fruitful international partnerships that support a healthy green way of life in arid settings.
Three million guests from all over the world are anticipated to attend Expo 2023 Doha and take part in the event’s unique six-month experience.
