Gold Trophies awarded to UAE, South Korea, Senegal, and Japan, with Türkiye winning the AIPH Prize

The Expo 2023 Doha International Participants Competition recognised countries for showcasing their horticultural achievements during its six-month Expo on March 27th.

The United Arab Emirates won the Gold Award in the ‘Self-Build’ category, while the Republic of South Korea was victorious in the ‘Large Pavilions’ category. The Republic of Senegal emerged as the winner in the ‘Medium Pavilions’ category, and Japan was declared the winner in the ‘Indoor Garden’ category.

The International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH) awarded the Republic of Türkiye its special AIPH Prize. This prize showcases the country’s horticultural aspects through the power of plants and flowers, well-chosen landscaping materials, and good maintenance throughout the Expo.

Other Special Award Winners included the Programming Award, with a criterion based on cultural and business activities associated with the Expo’s theme, which was awarded to Italy, Angola, and Mexico in their specific Pavilion categories. Most Educational Exhibitions were awarded to the State of Kuwait, the League of Arab States, and the Republic of Cuba. Finally, the Hospitality Award to The Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC), the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, and the Republic of Yemen.

The Expo 2023 Doha Theme Awards recognised participants who showcased innovative solutions for reducing desertification and promoting the Expo’s theme, including the following nations: the Sultanate of Oman, the Republic of Sudan, and the Republic of Cabo Verde.

Chairman of the Jury and AIPH Secretary General Tim Briercliffe said: “The jury was impressed with the high standards shown and the attention each nation gave to the Expo theme and to welcoming your visitors.”

Expo 2023 Doha has been open to the public since 2 October 2023, and it has so far welcomed more than 4.2 million visitors who have experienced its theme of ‘Green desert, better environment’. The theme has inspired visitors and showcased how desert cities can move towards greener futures. The Expo, spanning 170 hectares of Qatar’s Al Bidda Park, has seen participation from 71 countries, with each garden and pavilion exhibiting ornamental horticulture and best practices.

Competitions are an important part of every A1 International Horticultural Exhibition, and awards are given in recognition of the hard work of official participants representing their country.

All international and national participants were judged twice, at the beginning and end of the Expo, taking two full days for each visit, by an expert jury of ten representing the International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH), Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) and Qatari experts.

In his speech, Mr Briercliffe said, “We were looking for how you had interpreted the Expo theme, the degree of innovation, the plants you selected and how these were used and maintained. We assessed how you addressed sustainability and education, and we learned about the programming you developed and the hospitality shown to visitors.

“As members of the jury, we have had the great privilege of visiting every participant. On behalf of the jury, I would like to thank you all for welcoming us and introducing your pavilions and gardens.