Expo a platform to make planet healthier, greener: AIPH president

International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH) president Leonardo Capitanio has affirmed that the 2023 Doha Horticulture Expo will offer the best practices and innovations in horticulture and environmental sustainability.He said that the expo will constitute a platform that enables countries to share their success stories and aspirations to a healthier and greener planet.In his inaugural remarks at the opening ceremony of 2023 Doha Horticulture Expo in Doha, Capitanio outlined that the gardens and expos at the event are testament to the tremendous potential of horticulture in shaping the future of nations and combining horticulture in life, cities, environment, and hearts.He called on all entities to be defenders of environment and expressed his confidence in potential of the 2023 Doha Horticulture Expo.Capitanio said that holding the horticulture expo in a desert country may seem paradoxical, but pointed out that by virtue of determination and responsibility, Qatar succeeded making it a reality.He added that he is proud to see rapprochement among nations and peoples in the name of horticulture and sustainability in Qatar.The AIPH president indicated that the expo’s motto – *Green Desert, Better Environment – comes in the appropriate time and context, prompting nations to explore the potential of nature, along with human innovations to transform arid desert landscapes into prosperous and sustainable eco systems.He added that horticulture is related to caring for life, promoting biodiversity and combating climate change in a constantly evolving world.Capitanio added that horticulture offers solutions and materialises shared responsibilities to protect and improve the planet for future generations.He said that the AIPH have been holding international horticulture expos in partnership with the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) for the past 60 years.However, the official added, as this edition is the first to be held in a desert area, it is of profound significance for the AIPH.The AIPH represents the interests of horticulture producers in all regions of the world.Capitanio noted that there is now a realisation among nations of the need for more green zones and that a wholesome environment is more pressing than ever before.He said that plant nurseries no longer merely contribute to the aesthetic and attractiveness of cities, but also play a critical role in optimising air quality and promoting the general welfare for communities.