The approval took place at the AIPH General Meeting on 8 March in accordance with the AIPH Regulations for International Horticultural Exhibitions. The Governor of Udon Thani, Mr. Siam Sirimongkol, is thrilled to learn that their city has gained full support.
Mr. Sirimongkol says: “As the agricultural business and trading center of the Greater Mekong Region, Udon Thani is exceptionally proud to bring AIPH’s International Horticultural Expo back to Thailand. The event will be called ‘The Garden of Mekong’ to celebrate the abundance of the Mekong wetland, where people are blessed with biodiversity and harmony. This prestigious global event with the central theme “Diversity of Life: People, Water, and Plants” will bring well-deserved attention to our fertile but fragile land on the great international river where our ancestors have learned co-living for millennia.
A warm welcome for the AIPH President Bernard Oosterom from the people of Udon Thani during the AIPH site inspection in February 2022
"We are aiming to achieve at least 13 out of 17 UN Sustainability Development Goals, with this Expo. Udon Thani will be delighted to welcome our friends of the Mekong, the ASEAN community, and the people across the globe to visit the Expo.
"The 164.8-hectares expo site encompasses a small lake to showcase the mesmerizing Mekong wetland. We hope the world will get to know the diversity along the Mekong and be inspired by our sustainable way of living.”
Introducing the region
AIPH Secretary-General, Mr. Tim Briercliffe, says: “Expo 2026 will introduce Udon Thani and the horticulture of this region to the global stage. The event will create opportunities to exchange knowledge and technological advancement as well as promoting city greening and the importance of the relationship between people and plants.”
The approval for Udon-Thani International Horticultural Expo 2026 comes after a successful site inspection in February and an excellent presentation by the Udon Thani Expo organizing team at the AIPH Expo Conference (yesterday) 7 March.
The AIPH Expo conference presents an excellent opportunity to learn more about hosting or being involved with an International Horticultural Expo and network with expo organizers, city representatives interested in hosting an expo, urban developers, AIPH members, NGOs, international city and environmental organizations, and suppliers to major events.
AIPH Secretary General, Tim Briercliffe (left) with the Udon Thani Expo Delegates after receiving official approval at AIPH's General Meeting on 8 March 2022.
From 2022 until 2027, there will be AIPH approved International Horticultural Expos in China, Turkey, Qatar, the Netherlands, South Korea, Thailand, and Japan.
AIPH spring meeting 2022
The AIPH General Meeting and AIPH 2022 International Expo Conference are part of the AIPH Spring Meeting, currently being held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from 6-10 March.
