MAKKAH: The Saudi pavilion at the Expo 2023 Doha Horticultural Exhibition is shining the spotlight on the Kingdom’s ‘natural richness,’ drawing visitors from around the world, the site’s supervisor has told Arab News.
Delegations and visitors headed to the Qatari capital for the opening of the exhibition, which is held under the slogan “Green Desert, Better Environment.”
Held from Oct. 2 to March 28 next year, the event showcases the latest innovations in horticulture and environmental sustainability, aiming to inspire the international community to adopt solutions to combat desertification through four axes: Modern agriculture, technology and innovation, environmental awareness, and sustainability.
Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani and other leaders and heads of state visited the Kingdom’s pavilion at the opening, and were received by Abdulrahman Al-Fadhli, Saudi minister of environment, water and agriculture.
The leaders listened to an explanation on the Kingdom’s presence at the event from the general supervisor of the Kingdom’s pavilion, Saleh bin Dakhil, who reviewed the work of green environmental initiatives, the contributions of renewable energy, and investment in major environmentally friendly projects.
Bin Dakhil, who is also general manager of corporate communication and media, and official spokesperson at the ministry, told Arab News that the Saudi site at the expo is the second largest after Qatar’s host pavilion.
He said: “The pavilion and its annexes were designed to suit the main themes of the event, creating a unique journey for visitors. The pavilion is full of various stations through which technology and picturesque nature harmonize and give visitors the opportunity to learn about huge national projects and effective initiatives that employ innovative solutions to create a sustainable future for the whole world, with the participation of a number of government and private agencies.”
Bin Dakhil added: “The pavilion begins through three main entrances. The first of which is the welcome area, which reflects the human richness and the cultural and natural components of the Kingdom, to explore the spirit of the Kingdom, the richness of its land, and the diversity of its resources.
“After that comes the external garden, which surrounds the pavilion and showcases the topography and geography of the Kingdom, and the ancient resources it contains. Then comes the internal garden, which showcases the present environment in the Kingdom through its current and future projects and initiatives.”
He said that visitors were warmly received to the pavilion through folklore performances from Jazan, such as the traditional Ardah dance.
Bin Dakhil added that the Kingdom’s pavilion includes central areas, most notably the “Our Nature” zone, which highlights the natural landscapes and terrain of the Kingdom.
The “Our Initiatives” area details the most prominent initiatives and projects in Saudi Arabia, while the “Our Prosperity” area highlights the role of Saudi Vision 2030 in shaping the future of the Kingdom by encouraging environmental prosperity.
“There is also an interactive area that gives visitors an inspiring experience about the ecosystem,” Bin Dakhil added.
The pavilion is decorated with unique tree species that reflect the variety of flora in the Kingdom, such as sidr, lavender, basil, gray ghaf and more.
