UAE Minister of State, Her Excellency Reem al Hashimy said, “Expo 2017 will be a formidable opportunity for Astana and for the world to meet, discuss and exchange on the important topic of energy. The UAE aspires to build on and continue the considerable progress made in energy and sustainability in its bid to host the World Expo in Dubai in 2020.”

With the special importance energy and environmental problems in mind, the Republic of Kazakhstan selected the theme “Energy of the Future” for the Expo 2017. This theme will highlight the wide problems related to energy conservation and promote alternative energy sources including solar, wind,  ocean and geothermal , which are today of increasing importance to humanity.

Dubai, UAE, is competing against four other candidate cities bidding to host the 2020 World Expo, including Ayutthaya (Thailand); Ekaterinburg (Russia); Izmir (Turkey); and Sao Paulo (Brazil).

The winning city will be announced in November 2013 following a vote by the 161 member nations of the BIE.