The capital of Kazakhstan was chosen to host the international specialized exhibition EXPO-2017. Astana was victorious. The result was proclaimed in Paris France, at the headquarters of the International Exhibitions Bureau (BIE), on November 22, 2012, after 10 pm Astana time. At the 152nd session of the BIE General Assembly 148 member states out of a total of 161 were present and voted. There was a quorum even though some delegates could not attend. Astana beat Liege in a fair and hard-fought contest by an overwhelming 103 to 44 votes, with one abstention.

Prior to the voting ceremony, the Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan and Chairman of the "EXPO 2017, Astana” Organizing Committee, Kayrat Kelimbetov, and the Mayor of Astana, Imangali Tasmagambetov, made a closing presentation of the bid by Kazakhstan. A videotaped statement by the President of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbaev, was also shown.

For Belgium, the Chairman of "EXPO 2017, Liege”, Robert ... Read more »