The 167th General Assembly of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) has approved the change of dates of the Horticultural Expo in Doha, previously scheduled to open in October 2021. The Expo, themed “Green Desert, Better Environment”, will now be held on 2 October 2023 – 28 March 2024, and will be known as International Horticultural Expo 2023 Doha Qatar.

The Government of the State of Qatar requested a change of dates of the Horticultural Expo following in-depth discussions with the Organiser, the BIE and the Association of International Horticultural Producers (AIPH) on the global impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

In line with BIE regulations, the request was examined by the Executive Committee of the BIE, which on 14 October proposed the postponement to the General Assembly of the BIE. In accordance with the BIE Convention, any change of dates for an Expo requires approval by the General Assembly to take effect.

Dimitri S. Kerkentzes, the Secretary General of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), stated:“The first Horticultural Expo in the MENA region will showcase solutions for a greener and better future, and this necessary change in dates, supported by BIE Member States, will give the necessary time to Qatar and international participants to prepare for a truly transformational event.”

The International Horticultural Expo to be organised in Doha, Qatar was recognised by the 164th General Assembly of the BIE in November 2018 and will be the first Horticultural Expo to take place in the Middle East. Themed “Green Desert, Better Environment”, Expo 2023 Doha Qatar will take place on an 80-hectare site in Al Bidda park in Central Doha.