OREANDA-NEWS. March 21, 2012. Astana has proved many times that she is ready to hold different kinds of forums at the highest level. These are the congress of leaders of world and traditional religious, summits of international organizations, including the SCO, the OSCE and the Asian winter games. But, in modern time, to stop means to lag behind, in this connection Astana pretends to hold the international exhibition EXPO-2017.

Thus, there are 5 years until the designated date, “hot days” of the competition between different countries-candidates have already started. The capital of EXPO-2017 will be determined in November 2012, by voting of experts.

An expert commission of the International exhibitions bureau arrived in Astana to appreciate chances of the Kazakhstan’s capital to host this prestigious forum. During the week – the commission will meet with the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan, heads of Senate and Majilis chambers, heads of the ministries and the Mayor of the capital. Thematic presentations on the EXPO-2017 dossier will be represented. Also, issues concerning theme of the exhibition “Energy of Future” will be discussed, a master-plan and economic analysis of the exhibition, the program on further use of the exhibition territory after the end of the exhibition, and other topics.

It seems like, that experts interested not only in a technical and organizational readiness of Kazakhstan to host EXPO-2017, they also wants to see a public support of the project. On the first day of the working visit, members of the expert commission visited SEC “Khan-Shatyr”, where an art performance in support of the Astana candidacy to host EXPO-2017 took place.

“We are students, we decided to support Astana’s application to host the international exhibition EXPO-2017. We heartedly support this initiative, because holding of such exhibitions is the honor for any country. I am sure our capital is worthy to hold EXPO-2017: the proofs are the Asian Games, the OSCE Summit. We can do it, we will do it!” participant Alexander Kim said.

About two thousand students created two pictures “Kazakhstan” and “People of Kazakhstan” and photo “I support EXPO-2017”.  A mass dance “Kara zhorga” became a culmination of the events.

There is a need to feel and understand values and mentality of the country, in order to make a decision in favor of any country. In this connection, the experts of the commission were introduced with a theatrical performance in ethnic village. It gave a possibility to the guests to know the history, culture and life of Kazakh people, the heirs of the nomads.

The commission visited a future venue of EXPO-2017. While this is a land in the southeastern part of the city -113 hectares, 25 of them will be taken under the Exhibition Centre.

The BIE General Secretary Vincente Gonzalez Loscertales said that: “We are interested in every detail: from the people’s desire to the city's infrastructure hosting the exhibition. In this connection, we will discuss specific topics on the capabilities to organize the EXPO with each of the ministries. We hope that Kazakhstan will get the highest rating.”

It is well known, that Kazakhstan proposed a theme for EXPO-2017 “Energy of future”. This theme is relevant to world community, namely, such format a peculiar to the prepared forum. Also, Kazakhstan, as well as Astana has their own great potential for development of new energy, based on increasing of the alternative sources production as a solar energy, wind and energy resources of the seas.

Recently, the Kazakh delegation had already discussed a promotion of Astana candidacy for the right to organize the International Trade Fair in 2017, in Paris. During a meeting with the BIE General Secretary Vicente Loscertales, Mayor of Astana Imangali Tasmagambetov assured that: “Kazakhstan has everything to win and to implement a national project EXPO-2017.”