Involving seven years of research, the Encyclopedia of Native & Non-Native Plants in Eastern Arabia comprises six volumes, featuring around 800 plant species.

The book is the result of a collaboration between the Gulf Organisation for Research and Development (GORD) and the Public Parks Department at the Ministry of Municipality and Environment (MME). The book was launched at the recent eighth Qatar International Agricultural Exhibition (AgriteQ).

About the book

GORD EncyclopaediaThe first-of-its-kind encyclopedia draws its information from hundreds of specialised scientific publications, alongside field research conducted by a group of experts at GORD.

It is a hefty tome, comprising six volumes and approximately 2,500 pages, and is a fully comprehensive guide to cultivating plants in Qatar’s desert terrain.

Dr Yousef AlHorr, Founding Chairman of GORD, said at the event that it is a national imperative to enhance self-reliance in food security. AgriteQ plays a pivotal role for organisations in the agriculture, engineering and related sectors, by providing access to the latest equipment, solutions and resources. The event demonstrates Qatar’s plan to achieve food security while also ensuring sustainable development.

Just like tech exchange, knowledge transfer is crucial for sustainable agriculture. To this end, the Encyclopedia of Native & Non-Native Plants in Eastern Arabia will guide agriculturists and engineers in responsible selection and optimum treatment of flora in the context of sustainable development.

Mohamed Ali Al Khoury, director of the MME’s Public Parks Department, highlighted the department’s years of research and experiments to produce lasting evidence for generations to follow. An asset for all professionals, he congratulated GORD for ‘taking the lead and successfully developing this pioneering work, the benefits of which transcend a range of sectors.’

GORD dignitaries
HE Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Subaie, Minister of Municipality and Environment, visited GORD’s stand at AgriteQ where Founding Chairman Dr Yousef AlHorr shared details about Qatar’s first Encyclopedia of Native & Non-Native Plants in Eastern Arabia, developed by GORD.

The encyclopedia features a collection of plant species arranged systematically. Descriptive details include conservation status, worldwide distribution, nativity to the region, lifespan, adaptability, cultivation and plant forms.

Economic, medicinal, landscaping and environmental uses are all in one place, perfect for professionals dealing in diverse sectors such as architecture, health, medicine and landscape engineering.

About GORD

GORD was established in 2009 at Qatar Science and Technology Park. The non-profit organisation aims to be the leading organisation driving sustainability endeavours and climate actions in the MENA region, by addressing the global challenges in the regional context.

For more information about Qatar’s flora and fauna and sustainability:


Author: Sarah Palmer

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