Less than four months before Expo 2017 Astana opens its gates, international participants are gathered in the Palace of Independence in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, for the third International Participants’ Meeting (IPM). Representatives from 108 countries are taking part in the IPM, which is the last of its kind before the Expo opens on 10 June under the theme “Future Energy”.

International participants are gathered for two days (22-23 February), during which the host country and Expo officials will present a final vision of the Expo to all international participants. The IPM will include detailed presentations regarding the Expo’s organisation and logistics, as well as question-and-answer sessions, providing organisers and participants with a common platform to exchange as preparations move into the final stretch.

The First Vice Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Askar Mamin, addressed delegates at the opening of the meeting, alongside the Chairman of the Board of Astana EXPO 2017 NC, Akhmetzhan Yessimov, Expo Commissioner, Rapil Zhoshybayev, and the Mayor of Astana, Asset Isekeshev.

The Secretary General of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), Vicente G. Loscertales, welcomed attendees in an introductory speech, stressing that: “the success of the Expo at this stage of preparations is the shared responsibility of both organisers and participants.” Mr. Loscertales emphasised the importance of the “Future Energy” theme and its resonance across the globe, which is reflected in the high number of international participants.

Expo 2017 Astana will be open between 10 June and 10 September, during which time it is expected to receive 5 million visits. Organised under the theme “Future Energy”, the Expo will take place on a 25-ha site close to the centre of Astana.