On November 22, 2012 Astana was chosen by the International Exhibitions Bureau (BIE) as the venue to host EXPO-2017, which will focus on the theme “Future Energy”. The theme is aimed to concentrate on both the future of energy, but also on innovative, but practical energy solutions, and their global impact. EXPO-2017 will be the first time that a major international exhibition of this kind is coming to a country from the former Soviet Union. More than 100 countries and 10 international organisations are expected to participate. Around 2-3 million people are expected to visit the international pavilions from June to September 2017.