17th Bahrain International Garden Show
Water: Regenerating Life
Show Days: 9 - 12 March 2023
Bahrain International Convention & Exhibition Center
The University of Bahrain participates with a pavilion from the College of Science & College of Engineering, under the theme of “Water: Regenerating Life”.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
National Initiative for Agricultural Development
The Bahrain International Garden Show (BIGS) is established as a leading gardening show in the Arabian Gulf and is organized yearly by the National Initiative for Agricultural Development (NIAD) of Bahrain. This initiative was launched by Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka Bint Ibrahim Al-Khalifa, Wife of the King of Bahrain, in March 2010. As the President of the Consultative Council of the National Initiative for Agricultural Development, Her Royal Highness chairs the Consultative Council of distinguished officials from the public sector, chief executive officers of the private sector and representatives of the concerned civil society organizations. Secretary General of NIAD is Her Excellency Shaikha Maram bint Isa Al Khalifa.
NIAD focuses on protecting the agricultural industry in Bahrain, with the vision of developing an effective agricultural sector that contributes to social, environmental and economic development in the Kingdom. It aims to create a balance between agricultural and developed lands, with the belief that such measures are vital for the overall health of the population and the future of food security. Its mission is for Bahrain to unite the efforts of the relevant authorities of this sector to to establish an effective agricultural sector that is compliant with the goals of the reform project of His Majesty the King and the economic vision 2030, and for Bahrain to move towards achieving some level of self-sufficiency that will naturally lead to the increase of the contribution of the agricultural sector to the gross domestic product.
Secretary General of NIAD ,Her Excellency Shaikha Maram has said in the past that Bahrain, like other Gulf countries, has come a long way in encouraging local farming and is doing its bit to make it a sustainable occupation. “Although our resources like land and water are limited, we are producing more than what we were before,” she adds. “In the olden days, the biggest industry in Bahrain was agriculture. But with oil, property and telecommunications taking centre stage, farming took a back seat. Today, everybody realises that it is not a luxury but a necessity to increase self-reliance, and hence, the efforts to grow locally and reduce imports is the focus.”
Bahrain International Garden Show
Since its establishment in 2004, the Bahrain International Garden Show has become a platform for experts from international gardening and agriculture companies, and enthusiasts from the Arabian Gulf and from around the world to further develop their expertise and knowledge with the latest best practices in the industry.
The Bahrain International Garden Show is also an occasion for potential investors to seek profitable agricultural investment opportunities; it introduces the very latest in garden and landscaping technology, trends and equipment; it is an expo of opportunity for exporters as well as investors in the gardening / Green products / agriculture sectors and related industries to introduce them to Bahrain market.
BIGS is a venue for exhibitors to showcase and sale their unique products and services, and a space for anyone in the sector to share information, technology and knowledge - a unique opportunity for local and global exchange of experiences and opinions, or to introduce the latest innovations. BIGS provides awareness on the best ways and methods to care for gardens and green areas and to protect the environment.
The event is attended by VIPS, exporters and importer, architects, consultants, developers, and other industry professionals and in 2019 had close to 50,000 visitors.
Show theme of BIGS 2023 & the University of Bahrain | Water: Regenerating Life
Every year this exhibition focuses on a different theme that represents a pressing issue facing the agricultural sector in order to work on improving systems and methods, and find solutions and alternatives that contribute to the sustainability of the agricultural sector in the kingdom.
The upcoming BIGS will be held under the theme ‘Water: Regenerating Life’ and will focus on the importance of water and how to preserve it in order to guarantee its sustainability as it is the source of life on earth.
The theme will help highlight several water-related topics including some statistics on water consumption in Bahrain, the importance of working to achieve water security which is closely related to food security, and the role individuals play in conserving water in homes and domestic gardens.
Bahrain ranks in the top 10 countries with the highest population density in the world. It is therefore crucial to develop strong water management policies and sustainable management practices. Since water is one of the corner stones of the agricultural process, this year’s show will focus on the many important facets of water.
A number of topics will be highlighted including: Water management; Water in relation to the environment, food and energy; Water and climate change, Water quality and wastewater; and Water sustainability.
As globally it is expected that the rate of water consumption will continue to increase by up to 20 to 30% by the year 2050, this will exacerbate the already existing challenges of water. Proper solutions must be implemented and the culture of correct practices in using water resources must prevail and be shared.
Governments, communities and individuals in the MENA region and all around the world, have a collective and vital role to play in the success of achieving sustainability and water security.
“Water use has been increasing worldwide by about 1% per year since the 1980s, driven by a combination of population growth, socio-economic development and changing consumption patterns. Global water demand is expected to continue increasing at a similar rate until 2050, accounting for an increase of 20 to 30% above the current level of water use, mainly due to rising demand in the industrial and domestic sectors. Over 2 billion people live in countries experiencing high water stress, and about 4 billion people experience severe water scarcity during at least one month of the year. Stress levels will continue to increase as demand for water grows and the effects of climate change intensify.”
World Water Development Report 2019: Leaving No One Behind.
In line with the mission of the UoB & the Future Earth MENA Regional Center’s Conference on the challenges of maintaining water security in the MENA Region, plus the aims of the University’s ‘Year of Water’ Program, makes this BIGS theme - proposed to NIAD by ACTIVATE while working at the UoB - particularly relevant. The power of regenerative practices for water security.
We need to act together to provide a better future for the generations to come.
University of Bahrain Pavilion 2023
The participation of the University of Bahrain in the 2023 edition under the theme "Water: Regenerating Life", is the twelfth in its series of participation in the exhibition since its launch.
As explained by University President, Her Excellency Dr. Jawaher bint Shaheen Al-Mudhahka:
“In celebration of water as resource to sustain life, University of Bahrain’s pavilion reflects on the unique relationship between water and people of Bahrain. This connection established the island’s economy for many years and shaped the way we connect to water. To find sustainable solutions regarding water management, water quality and climate change, we look deeply into nature for solutions. The pavilion particularly highlights the common reed as a plant that offers many potentials for sustainable practices tailored to Bahrain’s community as well as individuals.
The participation of the University of Bahrain in this edition comes in line with the theme of the exhibition, which aims to focus on the importance of water, and how to preserve it, to ensure its sustainability, as it is the backbone of life, by casting light on the reed plant (locally known as Kasbah), due to its environmental and economic importance. Although this plant is an agricultural pest that harms and vies with other plants for water and food in the environment they live, studies indicate that many benefits can be reaped from its cultivation for both the environment and society. The findings of a large body of research conducted by the University suggest that this plant can be employed to remove pollutants from water, which will benefit man and the environment. The design of the University of Bahrain pavilion highlights our profound attachment to water and brings back memories of the era when water was the heart of our social life. It is inspired by the story of the common water canals in Bahrain in the past, known as “Saab”. The shape of the pavilion is accentuated by the flow of lines in a wave-like manner to create much space for visitors to wander. This space is inspired by Saab in the Bahraini environment. The design also provides corners that give visitors a clear view of the reed plant, an ecological plant that contributes to water sustainability.”
The Design Concept, as explained by the Pavilion Design Team:
“To highlight our connection to the water, we went back through our collective memory, when water was the heart of our social life. Today, we still strive to connect to it, over and over again. In particular, the pavilion is inspired by the narrative of the ‘Saab’; echoing its form through the flow of lines, creating a walk-through space and recreating life around water. The design provides pockets of immersive experience celebrating the common reed as the chosen plant of the pavilion.”
