BIE Day Expo 2017 Astana DSK FINAL EN
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SPECIALISED EXPO 2017 ASTANA – “FUTURE ENERGY” BIE DAY, 9 SEPTEMBER 2017 Dimitri Kerkentzes Deputy Secretary General of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) I am very honoured to welcome you all to the BIE Day at Expo 2017 Astana. For the Bureau International des Expositions, this is an important opportunity to celebrate the efforts of our Member States, of the Expo Organiser and of the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan and to share this moment with new and with longstanding friends of the Expo family, and above all, to show our appreciation to those who have made Expo 2017 Astana such a success. With 170 Member States, the BIE is today one of the largest international organisations on the planet that has strongly evolved, not only thanks to a much wider participation, but also due to its scope of action. Through each Expo, the BIE has helped the Organiser and Member States agree on common principles of action based on the notion of respect and cooperation. The 21st century is one of interdependence. Expos today reflect the growing awareness that each action has long-term consequences on the environment and on our lives. Expos serve as unique instruments of progress and cooperation dedicated to sharing innovation and promoting global dialogue on themes that engage the entire world community. Gathering over 130 official participants around a theme of global relevance, Expo 2017 Astana has succeeded in establishing fruitful dialogue among Governments and citizens on Future Energy. While enhancing public knowledge about the ways we produce, access and consume energy, Expo 2017 has stimulated debate on the direction we are moving in, what has been done and what is still to be achieved. Fully committed to the Expo project, Organisers and participants, with the cooperation and guidance of the BIE, have created an event that has improved our understanding of the energy challenges facing us and future generations. Expo 2017 has been a unique stage for innovation, knowledge-sharing and cooperation, a platform for taking stock of our challenges and projecting ourselves into the future. Decision-makers, experts and citizens have gathered to share the solutions and best practices that will make access to clean, reliable and sustainably produced energy a reality for everyone. I have had the privilege of seeing this Expo project evolve from the submission of the candidature through until today, and I can tell you that this accomplishment is a credit to President Nazarbayev himself, to the Government of Kazakhstan, and to the Astana Expo 2017 National Company. Furthermore, Expo 2017 Astana will leave behind one of the strongest legacies of any Specialised Expo that has been held to date, namely this incredible site master plan. For those of you who have spent the better part of three months here at the Expo, you will, without a doubt, have noticed the ease by which visitors can find pavilions, the short distances that need to be covered to cross the site and the high level of comfort offered to visitors. It is a legacy that the BIE aims to pursue as a best practice in site planning and design for all future Specialised Expos and for this I would congratulate once more the Expo Organiser. Finally, I would like to take the opportunity to personally thank Chiarman Yessimov and his team for the many years of close cooperation with the BIE and for their never-ending efforts in realising this magnificent event. Moreover, we offer our sincere thanks and gratitude to all those who have contributed to the success of Expo 2017: Commissioner Zhoshybayev, the National Commissioners, their teams, and all the volunteers. Your contributions have been paramount in making this Expo a success. Last but not least, I would like to praise the friendly and welcoming citizens of Astana as well as visitors from all over Kazakhstan and further afield, for making Expo 2017 a tremendous festival of energy. We now look forward to the upcoming World Expo in Dubai, which will open in October 2020, as well as to the next Specialised Expo, whose host country and theme will be elected during the General Assembly in November this year. As always, the BIE remains fully committed to its mission to support organisers and participants of Expos in an endeavour for solidarity and cooperation of the international community. Thank you. Dimitri Kerkentzes Deputy Secretary General of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) .