The State of Qatar has officially commenced construction of its pavilion for the upcoming International Horticultural Exhibition “GREEN×EXPO 2027,” scheduled to take place in Yokohama, Japan, from March 19 to September 26, 2027. The foundation stone laying ceremony marked the start of the project’s implementation phase as part of Qatar’s preparations for its participation in this global event.
The ceremony was attended by key Qatari officials, including Ambassador to Japan and Commissioner General of the Qatar Pavilion, Jaber Jarallah al-Marri; Deputy Commissioner General and Chair of the Organising Committee, Dr. Fayqa Abdullah Ashkanani; and Engineer Abdulaziz al-Rumaihi, Director of Projects Management and Development at Qatar’s Ministry of Municipality. Representatives from the Expo’s organising committee were also present, including Ambassador Jun Shimmi, Commissioner General of the Expo, and Secretary-General Masato Komura.
During the event, the project site was officially handed over to the architectural firm Studio DODICI to begin pavilion construction. The project will adhere to the standards and regulations established by the Expo organisers, while maintaining high benchmarks for quality and safety.
Ambassador Jaber Jarallah al-Marri described the ceremony as an important milestone that reflects the strong bilateral relations between Qatar and Japan. He highlighted Qatar’s experience from hosting the International Horticultural Expo “Expo 2023 Doha” and noted the shared commitment between the two countries to horticulture, sustainability, innovation, and international cooperation.
Qatar’s pavilion design was chosen through a national competition organized by the Ministry of Municipality in collaboration with Qatar University and Msheireb Properties. The competition engaged 40 female architecture students from Qatar University’s College of Engineering, providing them with the opportunity to contribute to a high-profile international project. The winning design draws inspiration from traditional Qatari architectural elements, specifically the fareej, reinterpreted in a contemporary style that blends modern architecture with nature and community. It aims to balance built environments with natural features, integrating plants, trees, and open spaces to embody the Green Expo’s theme of nature and sustainability.
Deputy Commissioner General Dr. Fayqa Abdullah Ashkanani emphasized that the development teams are focused on translating the conceptual design into a comprehensive pavilion experience that showcases Qatar’s leadership in sustainability and food security initiatives. She underscored that Qatar’s prior experience hosting Expo 2023 Doha serves as a foundational asset for its contribution to the Yokohama event.
“GREEN×EXPO 2027” is regarded as a major international horticultural exhibition centered on sustainability, environmental stewardship, and innovation. The event is anticipated to attract millions of visitors from Japan and around the world, offering a platform for exchanging expertise and demonstrating cutting-edge solutions to environmental and developmental challenges.