ASTANA – More than 200 participants discussed conceptual and logistical details related to EXPO 2017 at the first International Planning Meeting (IPM) and the Future Energy Forum (FEF) held at the Palace of Independence on Oct. 22-24 in Astana.
“One of the objectives of the meeting is to assure potential international participants that Kazakhstan has all the necessary administrative and material resources for the organisation of EXPO 2017. It will be held in compliance with all international standards,” said Chairman of the Board of the Astana EXPO2017 National Company Talgat Yermegiyaev.
During the IPM, representatives of the Astana EXPO 2017 company presented the master plan and construction schedule for the pavilions, content plans, entertainment programmes, communication strategies and promotion of the exhibition, corporate participation and sponsorships, the procedure to participate in EXPO 2017 and information concerning the tourism potential of Kazakhstan.
Thirty-eight new buildings will be constructed specifically for EXPO 2017 on a 175-hectare site. According to Aidar Marat, general manager of the Department of Architecture and Design of the Astana EXPO 2017 company, “More than 42 percent of the exhibition grounds will be set aside for pavilions. The remaining area will accommodate a variety of open and semi-enclosed areas for visitors, for concerts and festivals. The expo area will include the national pavilion of Kazakhstan in the shape of a sphere, the pavilions of countries participating in the exhibition, corporate participants and non-governmental organisations.”
Vicente Loscertales, Secretary General of the International Exhibitions Bureau (BIE), described the forum on the following day as a platform for the development of research projects on future energy, the topic of EXPO2017.
“EXPO 2017 in Astana was chosen very carefully,” said Loscertales. “The two-day forum will be a platform for the development of research projects on the topic of EXPO2017 ‘Future Energy.’ It will be a forum for the consideration of future developments, universal energy, energy efficiency, renewable energy, energy transport. Energy is becoming an important tool for the development of the future society.”
Vicente Loscertales, Secretary General of the International Exhibitions Bureau (BIE)
The main objective of the forum was the preparation of strategic content for the upcoming exhibitionand opening a wide and continuous international dialogue on the “Future Energy” theme.
“Today, the problems associated with the energy of the future can not be solved by any country or organisation alone. In this regard, the participation of citizens and civil society is essential. We need international cooperation and resources, we need the support of civil society to help the changes that are taking place every day,” said Loscertales.
Leading experts in the energy industry, academics, leaders of public and non-governmental organisations and representatives of the public sector attended the forum. The Forum is expected to produce a “Manifesto of values and principles” for EXPO 2017, which will bring together the proposals of governments, companies, academia and environmental organisations and businesses from various countries to create a new model of energy.
According to Loscertales, EXPO 2017 will attract the attention of many experts and will address current challenges with different points of view, including perspectives from public authorities, international organisations, civil society and non-governmental organisations.
The Director of Marketing and Promotion of EXPO 2017Assel Kozhakova gave a presentation concerning the EXPO 2017 entertainment programme, saying that the “Future Energy” theme will be reflected in the content of a number of planned programmes and shows.
Kozhakova said that for 93 days throughout the expo grounds and the city of Astana there will be large-scale shows, theme parties, festivals, performing arts, concerts, art exhibitions, theatre performances and other shows that will highlight the diversity of the participating countries.
