The organizing committee of Expo 2023 Doha has signed an agreement with the Gulf Organisation for Research & Development (GORD), whereby the latter will support the sustainability delivery of the Expo 2023 Doha. The signing ceremony took place at the Expo pavilion during the Doha International Book Fair taking place at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center. Signing the agreement was Mr. Mohammed Al-Khoury, Secretary-General of Expo 2023 Doha, who was accompanied by Dr. Yousef Alhorr, Founding Chairman of GORD.

Commenting on the rationale for having GORD on board, Mr. Mohammed Al-Khoury, Secretary-General of Expo 2023 Doha and Director of the Public Parks Department at the Ministry of Municipality, said, “From the onset, we have made the conscious decision to prioritize sustainability at Expo 2023 Doha, ensuring that our actions and initiatives align with our vision for a greener future. To accomplish this ambitious goal, we recognize the imperative of partnering with top-of-the-class sustainability experts like GORD. Their expertise and commitment to environmental sustainability will undoubtedly bring substantial value, enabling us to deliver an unparalleled sustainable expo experience. With GORD by our side, we are confident in our ability to create a transformative event that inspires and leads the way towards our shared vision of a sustainable world.”

Dr. Yousef Alhorr, Founding Chairman of GORD, said, “Expo 2023 Doha is strategically planned to focus on the crucial role of sustainability and green initiatives in line with Qatar National Vision 2030. At GORD, we are honored to be a part of this journey by supporting Expo 2023 organizers in implementing and reporting on the sustainability requirements set by the International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH). By working together, we strive to create an event that does not only contribute to addressing climate challenges but also inspire and enable future events and organizations to learn from the best practices implemented at Expo 2023.”

According to the agreement, GORD’s scope of work will cover various aspects from planning and implementation to operations, dismantlement and post-event legacy. A key part of GORD’s role will be providing technical support to Expo 2023 teams in implementing GSAS EcoLeaf certification. GSAS EcoLeaf, a new certification introduced by GORD as part of the Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS), is designed to significantly enhance the sustainability and environmental performance of mega events, such as expos and festivals. By incorporating sustainability best practices into every stage of planning, design, construction, operations and dismantling of such events, GSAS EcoLeaf aims to reduce the carbon footprint of purpose-built and temporary facilities while ensuring the wellbeing of users and protecting the environment.

Apart from the implementation of GSAS EcoLeaf, GORD's expertise will also contribute to the formulation of the Expo’s Sustainability Strategy and Legacy Plan, followed by a detailed Sustainability Implementation Plan providing a roadmap for effective execution of the strategy. Alongside the development of sustainability education, communication and engagement plans and management system reports, GORD will also be reporting on the sustainability performance of the Expo during pre-event and post-event stage.

By engaging GORD as a sustainability partner, Expo 2023 Doha is working towards its commitment to leave a lasting positive impact on both the environment and the future of sustainable event management.