RIYADH: The International Horticultural Expo 2023 Doha celebrated “Saudi Day” which included folklore, heritage and historical performances that embodied Saudi heritage, the official SPA news agency reported on Friday. The event, in the Expo House area, was held in the presence of Saudi Ambassador to Qatar Prince Mansour bin Khalid bin Farhan, Qatari Minister of Municipality Abdulla bin Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Subaie, and several ambassadors and representatives of participating countries at the exhibition.  Saudi Deputy Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Mansour Al-Mushaiti said that the Kingdom’s participation in the expo is an affirmation of the country’s leadership in all fields, toward its journey to achieving sustainability and preserving natural resources. بحضور سعادة وزير البلدية، رئيس لجنة إكسبو و سعادة نائب وزير البيئة و المياه و الزراعة السعودي ، ِو سعادة سفير المملكة العربية السعودية وعدد من أصحاب السعادة السفراء، احتُفِل باليوم السعودي في #إكسبو_2023_الدوحة In the presence of His Excellency the Minister of Municipality,… pic.twitter.com/IcP1nmfobM — Expo2023Doha (@Expo2023Doha) January 5, 2024 He praised the achievements made under the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, particularly the farming journey, where many procedures were facilitated for farmers, who are now able to obtain guidance via mobile phone, in referring to the facilities of the Agricultural Development Fund through loans and long-term facilities for strategic projects worth SR50 billion ($13.331 billion). Al-Mushaiti highlighted the continuation of the journey toward sustainability to enhance the Kingdom’s pioneering role in the field of energy by launching local and international initiatives that rely on clean energy and contribute to reducing carbon emissions, increasing green areas and sustainable waste management. He said the percentage of reserves in the Kingdom before the launch of the vision did not exceed 4 percent and the vision’s goal was for this number to reach 15 percent in 2030, stressing that the percentage of reserves has reached 16 percent today. Al-Mushaiti added that the Kingdom, in cooperation with the G20 in 2020, established a platform to discuss international water issues, and its work continued periodically within the G20 meetings.  The establishment of a global water organization was also announced in Riyadh to stimulate the innovation of technical solutions to confront water challenges, and to contribute to placing water issues at the top of international agendas, he said, pointing out that the Saudi Fund for Development has provided financing exceeding $6 billion to several countries in four continents around the world. He explained that his country achieved first place in the electronic and mobile government services maturity index for 2022, as the Kingdom was presented as a pioneering model to the world in bridging the digital gap, especially with the success of the digital infrastructure in covering 99 percent of the total population. Saudi Arabia also achieved second place in digital competitiveness among the G20 countries, according to the European Center for Digital Competitiveness, and ranked fourth globally in the readiness for digital regulations, Al-Mushaiti said. He noted the active participation of Saudi women in the labor market has exceeded the 30 percent target set by Vision 2030, stressing that these achievements reflect the Kingdom’s commitment to empowering women under the goals of the vision. Saleh bin Abdul Mohsen bin Dakhil, the general supervisor of the Kingdom’s participation in the exhibition, welcomed the attendees, thanking Qatar for hosting and organizing the activities of the expo and for its efforts in creating the optimal atmosphere to represent the Kingdom in the exhibition. He congratulated the Kingdom’s leadership and people on the victory in hosting the World Expo 2030 in Riyadh, which comes as a culmination of the vision and directives of the leadership for the inspiring goals of Vision 2030 to achieve a prosperous and sustainable future. He said: “The Kingdom’s participation in this global event presents a sustainable vision based on comprehensive development and achieving a balance between the environment, agriculture and water.  “It also comes based on a commitment to achieving the goals of Vision 2030, which is consistent with the exhibition’s slogan “Green Desert, Better Environment” to contribute in exploring and adopting innovative solutions to combat desertification.” He added that the pavilion attracted visitors from all over the world with its dazzling diversity that reflects the richness of its nature and its multiple terrains, and it witnessed the interaction of more than 400,000 visitors since its launch.  He pointed out that the pavilion provided an innovative digital experience for agricultural and environmental sustainability projects, and best practices and innovations, and reviewed successful Saudi projects and initiatives, with more than 80 initiatives centered around the main objectives of the exhibition. Dakhil said that the Saudi leadership has set an ambitious vision to improve the quality of life and ensure a better future for future generations, at the forefront of which are the Saudi and Middle East Green initiatives, where the Kingdom is devoting its efforts to reaching a sustainable green future, by turning the ambitious “Vision 2030” into a tangible reality.