ASTANA – Austria confirmed May 23 its intention to participate in EXPO 2017, reported the press service of the Kazakh Foreign Ministry.
The announcement came during an official visit to Austria by EXPO 2017 Commissioner Rapil Zhoshybayev. Austrian authorities also announced plans to celebrate a National Day of the country on June 27 during the expo, to hold an economic forum, to illustrate the best Austrian technologies in the field of green energy and to provide cultural events with participation of Austrian artists during EXPO 2017.
Zhoshybayev also discussed expo preparations and ways to attract an international audience with Austrian Deputy Minister of Science, Research and Economy of Austria Bernadette Gierlinger and Commissioner of the Austrian section of EXPO 2017 Richard Schenz. Gierlinger said Austria pays much attention to green technologies and by 2030, the country plans to switch completely to renewable energy sources.
Zhoshybayev also met with representatives of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), the UN Secretary General’s initiative Sustainable Energy for All, the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its Fund for International Development (OFID).
The sides discussed the participation of these organisations in the upcoming exhibition, including holding conferences and seminars, as well as the themes and content of pavilions.
The EXPO 2017 Commissioner reported that out of 100 countries and 15 international organisations that have expressed their willingness to participate in the exhibition, 85 countries and 15 international organisations have officially confirmed participation so far.
The OFID is the 15th international organisation on this participation list. Representatives of international organisations assessed positively the progress of the preparations for the exhibition and expressed confidence EXPO 2017 will attract the highest attention of the international community to problems of ecology, alternative energy development, energy conservation and efficiency.
