he prestigious Expo 2017 Astana, with the theme of "Future Energy," opened on Saturday in the capital of Kazakhstan, heralding a global call for governments and businesses to foster control on fossil-based energy consumption and to minimize damage on the environment.
The expo, which will last until Sept. 10, is expected to draw as many as five million visitors into the pavilions run by more than 110 countries and international organizations.
During his speech on Friday Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev said the event aims to be a magnetic center that bonds together ideas from participating countries and organizations on types of alternative and renewable energy.
"Humanity is on the point of creating a highly efficient source of energy, and our expo will contribute to the development of clean energy. Millions of Kazakhs and thousands of foreign guests will get to know and understand the latest trends and ideas," Nazarbayev said.
Seventeen heads of state and governments attended the opening ceremony on Friday, including President of China Xi Jinping, Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi, President of Russia Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister of Pakistan Nawaz Sharif.
Nazarbayev pointed out that one object of the visitors' admiration was Kazakhstan’s Nur Alem pavilion, a symbol of the expo and the world's largest spherical construction measuring 80 meters in diameter.
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