Representatives of Expo 2023 Doha and the General Secretariat of the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) met at the Ministry of Municipality's office Sunday to sign an agreement for the General Secretariat's participation in the expo that will be held from October 2 to March 28, 2024.
The agreement-signing ceremony was held in the presence of HE the Minister of Municipality Dr Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki al-Subaie, who is also the chairman of Expo 2023 Doha’s National Committee, GCC secretary-general Jasem Mohamed al-Budaiwi, and Expo 2023 Doha secretary-general Mohamed al-Khoury.
The agreement was signed by Bader Omar Ismail al-Dafa, the Special Envoy of the Minister of Foreign Affairs for Climate Change and Sustainability and the Expo 2023 Doha commissioner-general, and Khalid bin Ibrahim al-Sheikh, director-general of the Office of Economic and Development Affairs at the GCC General Secretariat.
Highlighting the regional commitment to build a more sustainable future, the GCC will have its own presence at Expo 2023 Doha with a dedicated pavilion that will showcase the latest initiatives to fight climate change and combat desertification, increase vegetation and boost food security.
The pavilion will also offer space to small and medium enterprises from the region with the aim of fostering sustainable ecosystems across the GCC.
“The participation of the GCC member states in Expo 2023 Doha demonstrates our shared commitment to support sustainable innovation and further strengthen cultural and economic ties between the Gulf states,” HE Dr al-Subaie said. “By highlighting our common achievements, projects and solutions, we send a strong message to the world emphasising the vitality of the Arab Gulf region, its huge potential and its well-deserved important position on the global stage.”
Al-Budaiwi said the hosting of the biggest horticultural expo in Qatar comes at a crucial time when environmental action is at the top of the international agenda, and is testimony to Qatar’s ability and know-how in staging prestigious international events.
“The GCC’s presence at the expo will highlight the region’s joint strategy and action in tackling the most pressing ecological and agricultural challenges, and the GCC pavilion will serve all member states of the organisation,” he noted.
Al-Khoury said the agreement is the latest addition to the list of partnerships for Expo 2023 Doha, stressing that this partnership is an affirmation that the exhibition will discuss highly important issues affecting the entire Gulf region, as reducing desertification and finding effective ways to achieve sustainability are a necessary requirement for all GCC countries.
“The participation of the GCC General Secretariat in Expo 2023 Doha is an embodiment of solidarity between all the countries of the Council and a qualitative addition to this global exhibition,” he said, indicating that the pavilion of the GCC General Secretariat of the Council will provide an "integrated picture of the joint Gulf action, and highlight the contributions of the GCC countries to global solidarity efforts in order to achieve the sustainable development goals".
“The pavilion will enable the world to show the excellence of Gulf competencies and their successes in employing technology and innovation in modernising and developing agriculture, and directing Gulf capital towards profitable investments that benefit people and remain in the land,” al-Khoury added.
He pointed out that the addition of the GCC General Secretariat to the list of partners will make a huge difference in consolidating the status of the exhibition, especially at the regional and global levels.
Serving as a platform to deepen international collaboration and fostering new partnerships, Expo 2023 Doha will also be a major tourist attraction for the visitors from the Gulf and wider Arab region, who represented 45% of registered international arrivals to Qatar in 2022, a press statement by the organisers noted.
Expo 2023 Doha will further boost regional tourism and contribute to building a green-minded community across the Gulf countries.
Themed *Green Desert, Better Environment, Expo 2023 Doha will bring together nations, organisations and individuals from across the globe to explore new environmental and horticultural solutions.
With cutting-edge technological displays, interactive exhibits, thought-provoking forums and vibrant cultural showcases, Expo 2023 Doha promises an immersive experience that will engage visitors and spark transformative conversations.
Dignitaries at the agreement signing ceremony Sunday. PICTURE: Shaji Kayamkulam
