Spotlight on green desert at Expo 2023 Doha

Expo 2023 Doha will put spotlight on the green desert while contemplating measures to make possible a better environment, the Bureau International Des Exposition (BIE) Secretary General Dimitri Kerkentzes told Gulf Times Wednesday.After visiting the exhibition site, Kerkentzes said the expo assumes significance as it’s held in an arid land and lends the entire world the opportunities to share the experiences and expertise of greening the desert, sustainable cultivation and beating climate change.The greening of deserts is a sustainable project for irrigation and forestation of dry areas or regions near water sources like lakes, rivers, seas or oceans. This is while taking benefits of clean technologies like irrigation with natural water sources and renewable energy supplies.The green desert ideal has cultural, educational, economic, social and scientific aspects, combining traditional agricultural practices with modern and alternative techniques like hydroponics, permaculture and vermiculture, all in a sustainable manner.BIE is the intergovernmental organisation in charge of overseeing and regulating all international exhibitions that last more than three weeks and are of non-commercial nature. Headquartered in Paris, BIE is a key international stakeholder of organising Expo 2023 Doha."Expo 2023 Doha will feature deep aspects on measures to adapt and overcome the adversity of current challenges while leaving a strong expansive intellectual legacy,” Kerkentzes said.The Secretary General of BIE visited the Expo 2023 Doha site at Al Bidda Park along with Qatari officials and assessed the progress of the works. He noted that Doha is an important place to have this expo as it can host discussions, deliberations and seminars on measures and new techniques to adapt to climate change and the changes needed to be adopted in daily life to beat the climate change."Climate change seems to be a clear reality all across the world. We need to bring the world to tackle the challenges and we have to learn how to beat climate change,” he said.Kerkentzes lauded the organisers by saying all are working with cent percent commitment to ensure the success of the expo.Described as the first A1 International Horticultural Exhibition to be held in Qatar, the Middle East, and North Africa, Expo 2023 Doha will have international visitors and organisers along with the experts from national and international industries, government entities and officials. Non-governmental organisations and commercial affiliates will also be a part of the exhibition.At Expo 2023 Doha venue Al Bidda Park, pavilions are to be set up across 1.7mn sqm, with dedicated zones for modern agriculture, technology and innovation, environmental awareness and sustainability.