Eighty countries, three million visitors and 2,500 volunteers are expected to converge at a venue spread over 1.7 million square metres in a mega event addressing an urgent concern – the mitigation of desertification.
After successfully hosting the Fifa World Cup for more than 3.4 million fans, Qatar is preparing to welcome the world again for The International Horticultural Exhibition.
“Being a desert country, Qatar is facing challenges brought by climate change, and aims to leverage this event to showcase cutting-edge sustainable technologies and solutions,” said Bader Al Dafa, the Commissioner General of Expo 2023 Doha.
The Green Desert, Better Environment event will be held at the sprawling Al Bidda Park from October 2, 2023 to March 28, 2024, and the activities will be centred around four themes: Modern Agriculture, Technology & Innovation, Environmental Awareness, and Sustainability.
Event Attractions
Discover Qatar, the destination management company of Qatar Airways, is offering complimentary entry vouchers to all international travellers for the duration of Expo 2023 Doha.
“Qatar’s efforts to enhance agricultural production through research, hydroponic farming, innovative irrigation systems, and renewable energy investments have yielded impressive results, as evidenced by its high ranking in the Economist 2022 Global Food Security Index, Mr Al Dafa said.
“These initiatives will be showcased to inspire other nations to adopt similar sustainable practices.”
In keeping with its theme, the event features GSAS green-certified venues and will be providing free pavilions to more than 35 of the world's least developed countries, Mr Al Dafa said.
It has also set ambitious environmental goals such as a 75 per cent recycling rate for construction waste as well as repurposing materials from the Fifa World Cup Qatar 2022.
“Desertification threatens the livelihoods of millions and contributes to environmental and economic difficulties. By focusing on sustainable innovations for the cultivation of trees and crops in arid lands, this expo aims to reverse desertification problems evident worldwide," said Dr Yousef Alhorr, founding chairman of Gulf Organisation for Research & Development (Gord).
“The significance of this event extends beyond Qatar’s borders.”
As the sustainability partner for the expo, Gord is responsible for developing sustainability reports from preparation through to operation and dismantlement phase of the event, as well as supporting the expo in implementing the green certification GSAS EcoLeaf for Expos and Festivals.
The event venue has an Innovation Centre which Dr Alhorr says is envisioned as a “magnet for researchers, innovators and industry leaders to explore the latest green horticultural solutions and collaborate on their wider adoption”.
The Expo will have an international zone, a cultural zone, a family zone, a farmer’s market, as well as a biodiversity museum, indoor domes, sponsors' area, and a grandstand arena.
“We are building a greenhouse that will show all the agri-tech that we have developed in the last 13 years,” said Nasser Ahmed Al Khalaf, managing director of Agrico.
Educational for all
Agrico will be conducting workshops for more than 180 schools where they will teach students to grow vegetables by making their own soil.
There are also plans for universities and private companies to conduct research during the six-month period and develop a model for a sustainable agriculture system to combat desertification.
“In the last decade we have seen a lot of terms such as ‘green’ and ‘sustainability’ being thrown around, but little is known about what they mean ,” said Ghanim AlSulaiti, who owns several sustainable vegan businesses in Qatar.
“Sustainability is about making the life process better. It includes everything from how we eat, how we commute … it is a lifestyle, it’s continuous work.”
And while he is excited about what countries from South-East Asia have to offer, he is “mostly looking forward to what Qatar has to say”.
“We are a small country. What works for sustainability in New York and Los Angeles will not work here. We have to create initiatives that fit Doha and Qatar, whether it is about food or renewable energy.”
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
SPECS
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A cheaper choice
Vanuatu: $130,000
Why on earth pick Vanuatu? Easy. The South Pacific country has no income tax, wealth tax, capital gains or inheritance tax. And in 2015, when it was hit by Cyclone Pam, it signed an agreement with the EU that gave it some serious passport power.
Cost: A minimum investment of $130,000 for a family of up to four, plus $25,000 in fees.
Criteria: Applicants must have a minimum net worth of $250,000. The process take six to eight weeks, after which the investor must travel to Vanuatu or Hong Kong to take the oath of allegiance. Citizenship and passport are normally provided on the same day.
Benefits: No tax, no restrictions on dual citizenship, no requirement to visit or reside to retain a passport. Visa-free access to 129 countries.
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Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
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Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
MATCH INFO
What: 2006 World Cup quarter-final
When: July 1
Where: Gelsenkirchen Stadium, Gelsenkirchen, Germany
Result:
England 0 Portugal 0
(Portugal win 3-1 on penalties)
The five pillars of Islam
$1,000 award for 1,000 days on madrasa portal
Daily cash awards of $1,000 dollars will sweeten the Madrasa e-learning project by tempting more pupils to an education portal to deepen their understanding of math and sciences.
School children are required to watch an educational video each day and answer a question related to it. They then enter into a raffle draw for the $1,000 prize.
“We are targeting everyone who wants to learn. This will be $1,000 for 1,000 days so there will be a winner every day for 1,000 days,” said Sara Al Nuaimi, project manager of the Madrasa e-learning platform that was launched on Tuesday by the Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, to reach Arab pupils from kindergarten to grade 12 with educational videos.
“The objective of the Madrasa is to become the number one reference for all Arab students in the world. The 5,000 videos we have online is just the beginning, we have big ambitions. Today in the Arab world there are 50 million students. We want to reach everyone who is willing to learn.”
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
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Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
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Rashid & Rajab
Director: Mohammed Saeed Harib
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Innotech Profile
Date started: 2013
Founder/CEO: Othman Al Mandhari
Based: Muscat, Oman
Sector: Additive manufacturing, 3D printing technologies
Size: 15 full-time employees
Stage: Seed stage and seeking Series A round of financing
Investors: Oman Technology Fund from 2017 to 2019, exited through an agreement with a new investor to secure new funding that it under negotiation right now.