On Aug. 13, Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev visited the Korme exhibition centre where he got acquainted with scale models of the EXPO 2017 exhibition complex. The president was presented with the works of about 50 architects from different countries of the world participating in the contest for the best design of the EXPO 2017 pavilion. The architects presented scale models of the future exhibition complex and a symbol of the international specialized exhibition EXPO 2017. Having familiarized himself with the scale models, President Nazarbayev said that the EXPO 2017 exhibition would be an event of historical importance for Kazakhstan. “Among many world countries, our country managed to win the right to host the exhibition. The exhibition pavilion will be one of the largest facilities for Astana and for Kazakhstan as a whole. Therefore, we need to consider different projects. We express our gratitude to all architects, both Kazakhstan and foreign, for taking part in the contest. We also thank members of the commission selecting the best works. It is crucial to ensure post-exhibition use of the built facilities including houses, commercial premises and laboratories,” the president said. The president emphasized the importance of the final decision. “The theme of the exhibition is closely connected with the green economy. It provides an opportunity to apply alternative energy sources and autonomous heating and water supply in every facility,” President Nazarbayev noted. Initially, about 100 applications were submitted for the competition from 20 countries. The contest drew the attention of outstanding architects having great experience in the designing of exhibition pavilions and facilities for EXPOs held in Milan, Saragossa and Sao Paulo. The winner of the contest will be announced in September.
Kazakhstan’s population increased 1.7 percent over one year, amounting to 17.28 million as of July 1, chairman of the Statistics Agency Alikhan Smailov said. “As of July 1, 2013, the population of the country amounted to 17.28 million including an urban population of 9.35 million people (54.9 percent) and a rural population of 7.677 million (45.1 percent). In January through June 2013, the population of the whole country increased by 118,800 (0.7 percent). Compared with July 1, 2012 the population grew by 234,700 (1.4 percent), Smailov said. In January through June 2013, the civil registration bodies registered 188,600 births or 0.6 percent more than in the corresponding period of 2012. The crude birth rate was 22.3 per 1000 people. In January through June 2013, the number of deaths in the country amounted to 70,400, which is 2.8 percent less than in January through June 2012. The crude death rate per 1,000 people was 8.3. In January through June this year, the number of infant deaths under one year old was 2,228. Compared to the same period last year, the number of child deaths decreased by 17.5 percent.”
Approximately 4.5 million people in Kazakhstan took part in Day of Sport activities. “Kazakhstan marks the Day of Sport on the third Sunday of August. This year, the Agency for Sports and Physical Culture jointly with the akimat of Astana, Ministry of Culture and Information and Healthcare Ministry organized a campaign “Healthy Nation – Healthy Generation.” About 4.5 million people took part in the celebrations over three days across the country. Leading Kazakhstan athletes and Olympic Games medal winners also took part in the event.
Kazakhstan will mark the Constitution Day on Aug. 30, to mark the 18th anniversary of the adoption of the basic law by the national referendum in 1995. The country will have three days off, from Aug. 30 through Saturday Aug 31 and Sunday September 1. (See editorial on Page A6).
Kazakhstan will mark the Knowledge Day on Sept. 1 when more than 400,000 first graders are scheduled to go to school for the first time.
