Tokyo, June 13 (QNA) - The State of Qatar has signed the implementation contract for its pavilion at the International Horticultural Expo 2027 Yokohama, marking the beginning of the implementation phase of its participation in this major international event, which will be hosted by Japan from 19 March to 26 September 2027.

The contract was signed by HE Ambassador of the State of Qatar to Japan and Commissioner General of the State of Qatar Pavilion at Expo 2027 Yokohama, Jaber bin Jarallah Al Marri. Representing the implementing company, Jacopo Torini signed on behalf of Studio Dodici. The contract encompasses the design, construction, operation, maintenance, and dismantling of the pavilion, ensuring the delivery of an immersive and integrated visitor experience that reflects the State of Qatar's vision and achievements in sustainability, innovation, food security, and urban development.

On this occasion, HE Ambassador Jaber bin Jarallah Al Marri affirmed that the signing of the contract represents an important milestone in the preparations for Qatar's participation in the Expo and reflects the State of Qatar's commitment to presenting a pavilion that is commensurate with its international standing and reflects its aspirations for a more sustainable and resilient future.

His Excellency stated: "The State of Qatar Pavilion at Expo 2027 Yokohama is the result of a national collaboration that brings together academic creativity and institutional vision. It originated from a national competition aimed at empowering young talents and engaging them in the design of a national project that represents the country before the world. The pavilion will tell Qatar's story and showcase its vision for sustainability, innovation, quality of life, and human-centered urban development."

He added: "We look forward to the pavilion serving as a global platform to introduce the State of Qatar's achievements and pioneering experiences in sustainability, food security, and sustainable resource management, while also contributing to the promotion of cultural and knowledge exchange with participating countries from around the world."

For her part, Deputy Commissioner General and Chairperson of the Committee for Qatar's Participation in Expo 2027 Yokohama, Dr. Fayqa Ashkanani, emphasized that the signing of the implementation contract marks the transition to a new phase of the project following the completion of the pavilion's planning and design stages.

She stated: "At this stage, our focus is on transforming the design vision into an integrated experience that highlights Qatar's pioneering initiatives in sustainability, food security, and sustainable resource management, while offering visitors a cultural and educational journey that reflects Qatar's development and contributions to addressing global development challenges."

The pavilion embodies an innovative architectural vision that was selected through a national competition launched by the Ministry of Municipality in partnership with Qatar University and Msheireb Properties. The competition brought together 40 female students from the Department of Architecture and Urban Planning at the College of Engineering, Qatar University.

The competition was launched as part of efforts to support architectural innovation and empower young national talents to contribute to projects with international significance. The competition resulted in the first-place award being granted to Aya Kambal Al Rayah, a student from the College of Engineering at Qatar University, whose winning design concept was adopted as the basis for the State of Qatar Pavilion at the Expo.

The winning design, titled "The Flourishing Fareej," draws inspiration from Msheireb's architectural language and reinterprets the traditional Qatari fareej (neighborhood) concept through a contemporary approach that seamlessly integrates architecture, nature, and community. The project consists of four main pavilions-The Beginning, The Roots, The Growth, and The Bloom-while incorporating native Qatari plants and trees into the visitor experience.

The design is also based on the principles of Qatari architecture and modern sustainability standards, while taking into account the climatic characteristics of Yokohama. This approach strikes a balance between local identity and sustainable performance and reflects the values of innovation, sustainability, and community connectivity.

Expo 2027 Yokohama is one of the world's leading international exhibitions specializing in horticulture, sustainability, and environmental issues. It is expected to attract millions of visitors from around the world and serve as a global platform for the exchange of knowledge, the sharing of best practices, and the presentation of innovative solutions to sustainability and development challenges. (QNA)