Azernews.Az

By Amina Nazarli

National Day was arranged in Azerbaijani pavilion at the EXPO 2017 Astana International Exhibition on July 9.

An official presentation ceremony of the Azerbaijani pavilion within the National Day was also held.

The national pavilion of Azerbaijan covers some 403.3 square meters. Operating under the motto of “The Land of Fire: energy, from past to future” it reflects such values as the history of Azerbaijan, culture, art, science, human capital, tradition of tolerance, modern economy, the Caspian Sea, the ancient Silk Road, Gobustan and etc.

Deputy Energy Minister of Kazakhstan Magzum Mirzagaliyev, addressing the solemn ceremony, highlighted trade and economic ties between the two countries. “Agreements signed in transport, transit and tax fields further deepened bilateral beneficial cooperation,” he added.

The deputy minister also expressed hope that EXPO 2017 exhibition will strongly contribute to cooperation among the countries in energy field.

Head of the Azerbaijani delegation, Director of the Heydar Aliyev Center, Anar Alakbarov, in turn, highlighted deep roots of relations between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan.

He recalled President Nursultan Nazarbayev`s recent visit to Azerbaijan, adding friendly and fraternal bonds between national leader Heydar Aliyev and President Nursultan Nazarbayev laid foundation of these traditions, Azertac reported.

“Cooperation between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan is of a strategic character thanks to services of President Ilham Aliyev and President Nursultan Nazarbayev,” he said.

Alakbarov further provided an insight into Azerbaijani pavilion arranged at EXPO International Exhibition, saying the pavilion was arranged by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and Ministry of Energy.

He mentioned that Baku is candidate for hosting the 2025 World EXPO, expressing hope that the country`s success in the relevant field will have a positive impact in assessment process of candidacy for 2025 World EXPO.

Later, a film highlighting Azerbaijan`s history, culture, tourism was demonstrated following the speeches.

The Azerbaijani musicians performed at the concert. The visitors were distributed publications about Azerbaijan`s history geography, as well as gifts photos, CDs reflecting the country`s national values.

The Azerbaijani delegation also visited the pavilion of Kazakhstan.

Alakbarov, talking to Kazakh media outlets, said that that right now, Azerbaijan’s main task is to minimize dependence on oil resources.

Azerbaijan is a country rich in oil resources, but the main task is to direct them to the development of human capital, and that is why the country’s government and non-governmental organizations are dealing with this, he said.

“The Azerbaijani state has decided that we will be switching to alternative energy,” he said, stressing that A lot of ecological projects are being implemented.

In turn, Gunay Piriyeva, a member of the Azerbaijani delegation at the exhibition, showed examples of using alternative energy sources in Azerbaijan.

“Here [at the Azerbaijani pavilion within the exhibition] we have fuel pellets obtained from cotton waste,” Piriyeva said. “Pressed pellets are burned and used as fuel. First of all, this saves natural gas, and the harmful leaks of natural gas into the atmosphere are reduced.”

Azerbaijan’s pavilion has ranked fourth in terms of attendance at EXPO 2017 International Exhibition in Astana since its opening, said a message posted on the EXPO 2017 website.

Around 425,377 people attended the exhibition since its opening. Around 120 countries, 18 international organizations, and the biggest international corporations are taking part in the exhibition.

Among the 10 most popular pavilions are Plaza de Africa and the pavilions of Egypt, China, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Malaysia.

The Expo 2017 is running under the theme ‘Future Energy’. This, along with the three subthemes – Reducing CO2 Emissions, Living Energy Efficiency, and Energy for All – allow the Expo to present the state of energy today and to showcase sustainable solutions and innovative technologies.

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Amina Nazarli is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @amina_nazarli

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