Qatar Pavilion’s win at Expo Beijing 2019 an inspiration

Qatar won the grand award from the Expo’s organising committee for the best foreign pavilion and also the grand award of the International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH).
Qatar’s distinguished participation and excellence in such forums and its winning of awards represent a new arena in which Qatar is at the forefront and a role model in the development of desertification control, a technology which can inspire other countries.
The Qatari participation in Beijing was characterised by events and activities that exceeded the visitors’ expectations.
Qatar Pavilion was the largest foreign pavilion in the exhibition.
The distinguished and unique design inspired by the Sidra tree, known in the Qatari environment for its ability to withstand high temperatures and lack of water, provided an inspiring symbol of the Qatari efforts to combat desertification and the ability to face difficulties.
Qatar Pavilion also conveyed the success and efficiency of Qatar’s vision and its directions in preserving the environment, paying attention to agriculture, afforestation, combating desertification and increasing green areas, assuring the world of Qatar’s firm principles of preserving the environment and striving for sustainable development, and affirming that Qatar’s future orientation will not contradict its commitment to the preservation of the environment, nature and sustainable development.
Qatar Pavilion received more than 2mn visitors, as well as a number of dignitaries from different countries.
In addition to highlighting the environmental and agricultural aspects, Qatar Pavilion also offered a brief presentation on the State’s economic successes and development accomplishments, with a focus on its historical and social aspects and authentic traditions.
In a symbolic celebration of the National Day, the Qatar Pavilion at Expo Beijing 2019 presented its visitors with a number of heritage events that won their admiration.
Moreover, the participation of Qatar in Expo Beijing 2019 contributed to introducing Qatar’s vision and future plans to host the International Horticultural (Expo Doha 2021), and its potential and contributions in this field.
The International Bureau of Exhibitions (BIE) and the International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH) have approved Qatar’s organisation of Expo Doha 2021, believing that Qatar has something to offer in this area, especially as Qatar is the first country with a desert climate in the Middle East and North Africa to host this exhibition.
On October 9, Qatar received the flag for hosting the International Horticultural Expo Doha 2021 from China, the host country of the 2019 edition.
The Expo Doha 2021 will serve as a platform for exchanging ideas and insights on various topics related to sustainable development, agriculture, horticulture, environmental conservation and energy.
It will focus on technological solutions to meet environmental challenges, and aims at contributing to the transformation of arid landscapes into energetic and environmentally friendly environments along with increased green area and afforestation.
Expo Doha 2021 will also contribute to achieving cultural and knowledge exchange and introducing Qatar as a leading tourist destination.
On the sidelines of the closing events of Expo Beijing 2019, ambassador of Qatar to China Mohamed bin Abdullah al-Dehaimi expressed pleasure at winning the awards, which he said was the outcome of the efforts exerted by the Ministry of Municipality and Environment and the Qatar Pavilion Organising Committee, under the leadership of HE the Minister of Environment and Municipality Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki al-Subaie.
Speaking to Qatar News Agency (QNA), the Qatari ambassador said that the International Horticultural Exhibition (Expo Beijing 2019), which received about 10mn visitors, represents an important platform and opportunity for all participating countries, especially Qatar which achieved a unique success in highlighting its efforts in the field of agriculture and horticulture, as well as introducing its heritage and history to the world.
He noted that Qatar Pavilion, which was the biggest international pavilion in the exhibition, received a huge number of visitors from China and various world countries, exceeding 2mn visitors.
The Pavilion presented to its visitors a special model of the Qatari landscape with a remarkable architecture that combined heritage and future, and traditional model and advanced engineering techniques.
Al-Dehaimi said that Qatar achieved important gains through its participation in Expo Beijing 2019 in several fields like benefiting from the exchange of experiences and expertise among the participating countries.
He added that Qatar’s participation in this international exhibition contributed to enhancing and promoting the growing friendly and fraternal relations between the governments of Qatar and China, and represented an extension to Qatar’s distinguished presence in such international forums.
He underlined that Qatar’s presence in the exhibition also contributed to the enhancement of the diplomatic relations and bilateral co-operation between Qatar and China, based on the mutual co-operation and win-win with China, which was reflected by Qatar’s announcement that Qatar Pavilion will be dedicated to the Chinese side as a symbol for friendship and co-operation between the two countries.
Qatar’s ambassador to China said that Qatar Pavilion’s winning of the most prestigious awards for foreign pavilions participating in the exhibition confirms the excellence and uniqueness of the Qatari capacity in international forums.
The ambassador added that Qatar will continue its successful endeavours in such international forums and will invest them in organising the International Horticultural Exhibition (Expo Doha 2021).
For his part, Secretary-General of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), Vicente Gonzalez, praised the participation of Qatar in Expo Beijing 2019, noting that it was a serious, effective and strong participation.
In a statement during his visit to Qatar Pavilion, the BIE secretary-general said that the Qatari participation was characterised by the beautiful masterpiece designed in the shape of the Sidra tree, noting that the design included a blend of luxury and tradition reflecting the taste of the Qatari society, environment, customs and culture.
He praised the sections of the pavilion and its diversity, noting that the special section devoted to children to raise awareness of environmental issues, agriculture and horticulture shows Qatar’s interest in the young generation, as a seed to be planted for a promising future with an increased awareness of environmental issues and the fight against desertification and global warming.
He added that the Pavilion also reflected the Qatari values such as generosity, welcoming and openness to the other, through the luxury Qatari Majlis where guests were received with dates and the Qatari coffee, which indicated the warmth and generosity of the Qatari people.
The BIE secretary-general underlined that the participation of Qatar this time is a clear indication of its readiness to host the next expo.
The Qatar Pavilion at Expo Beijing is undoubtedly the best pavilion, which is reflected in the length of the waiting queues to enter the Pavilion.
Qatar is accustomed to excellence in hosting the largest important events in the field of sports, science, environment and agriculture, he stressed, expressing confidence that Qatar will host an excellent and exceptional Expo Doha 2021 which will serve as a role model.