Qatar participated in the General Assembly meeting of The Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), which was held via video conference technology, chaired by President of the General Assembly of the BIE Jai-chul Choi. The delegation of Qatar was headed by ambassador of Qatar to France and Permanent Representative to The Bureau International des Expositions Sheikh Ali bin Jassim al-Thani.
The meeting was attended by Secretary-General of Expo 2023-Doha Mohamed Ali al-Khoury. During the meeting, the assembly agreed to postpone the opening of the International Horticultural Expo 2021 to October of 2023, in light of the repercussions left by the Covid-19 pandemic, while the delegation of Qatar made a presentation showing the progress made in the state's equipment to host the Expo Doha 2023.
For his part, Sheikh Ali bin Jassim al-Thani welcomed the decision to postpone the exhibition and thanked all countries that agreed to this decision, and that have shown interest in Expo Doha, stressing that its places are reserved in Expo Doha 2023, which will be held under the theme 'Green Desert, Better Environment'. He stressed that the plans to host Expo Doha 2023 have all undergone an adaptation process to keep pace with exceptional health conditions, and to ensure a safe and healthy environment for all participants in the exhibition, which is expected to be visited by about 3mn visitors.
He said that the International Horticulture Exhibition that is being organised for the first time in the region and hosted by Qatar over a period of six months, within the framework of the Qatar National Vision 2030, will constitute a first and unique experience for the international community and for the citizens of Qatar and the region as a whole.
Ambassador al-Thani stressed that the Qatar is working to present an unprecedented event that allows strengthening international co-operation in environmental issues, and exchanging ideas, skills and experiences for the sake of a new ecosystem prosperity, expressing his hope that the upcoming meetings and events will take place in a healthy and natural environment, thanks to the global campaign to find an early vaccine for the Covid-19 pandemic.
For his part, Sheikh Ali bin Jassim al-Thani welcomed the decision to postpone the exhibition and thanked all countries that agreed to this decision, and that have shown interest in Expo Doha, stressing that its places are reserved in Expo Doha 2023, which will be held under the theme 'Green Desert, Better Environment'. He stressed that the plans to host Expo Doha 2023 have all undergone an adaptation process to keep pace with exceptional health conditions, and to ensure a safe and healthy environment for all participants in the exhibition, which is expected to be visited by about 3mn visitors.
He said that the International Horticulture Exhibition that is being organised for the first time in the region and hosted by Qatar over a period of six months, within the framework of the Qatar National Vision 2030, will constitute a first and unique experience for the international community and for the citizens of Qatar and the region as a whole.
Ambassador al-Thani stressed that the Qatar is working to present an unprecedented event that allows strengthening international co-operation in environmental issues, and exchanging ideas, skills and experiences for the sake of a new ecosystem prosperity, expressing his hope that the upcoming meetings and events will take place in a healthy and natural environment, thanks to the global campaign to find an early vaccine for the Covid-19 pandemic.
