The Executive Committee of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) has unanimously agreed to propose the postponement of Horticultural Expo 2021 Doha to 2 October 2023 – 28 March 2024. As changing the dates of an Expo requires the support of Member States of the BIE (Article 28 of the Paris Convention of 1928), the BIE General Assembly will vote on the Executive Committee’s recommendation during its next meeting on 1 December 2020.

Members of the Committee – delegates of 12 Member States elected by the BIE’s General Assembly - met virtually to examine the change in dates requested by the Government of the State of Qatar. This request was made following in-depth discussions between the Government of the State of Qatar, the Organiser, the BIE and the Association of International Horticultural Producers (AIPH) on the global impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Executive Committee unanimously recommended approving Qatar’s request to postpone the Expo, and to change its name to Horticultural Expo 2023 Doha Qatar. The recommendation will be considered by the 167th session of the BIE General Assembly, whose approval is required for the change of dates to take effect.

Dimitri S. Kerkentzes, the Secretary General of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), stated:“The BIE fully supports the State of Qatar in its commitment to organise the first Horticultural in the Middle East and the new dates, once approved by the BIE General Assembly, will allow the host country and participating countries the necessary time to adjust and adapt their plans to ensure the Expo is a resounding success in 2023.”

Horticultural Expo 2021 Doha Qatar was recognised by the 164th General Assembly of the BIE in November 2018 and is set to be the first Horticultural Expo to take place in the Middle East. Themed “Green Desert, Better Environment”, the Expo will take place on a 80-hectare site in Al Bidda park in Central Doha.