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ASTANA, 14 August (BelTA) – Belarus hopes to agree on new joint energy projects with other countries at the ongoing Astana Expo 2017, Belarus Prime Minister Andrei Kobyakov said at the official opening ceremony of the Belarus National Day at the international exhibition Expo 2017 on 13 August, BelTA has learned.

“The major theme of the Expo 2017 in Astana is Future Energy which is a relevant issue for our states and the future of Earth. The projects that are on display at the current exhibition may help ensure energy security of the state and also the efficient utilization of the existing resources for the benefit of the development of the nations. We hope that the Expo 2017 will allow us exchanging the experience in the area of energy efficiency with other countries and agree on mutually beneficial projects in energy production,” the prime minister stressed.

According to Andrei Kobyakov, Belarus, like many other participants of the EXPO, is building up its energy policy in such a way as to avoid the negative impact of external factors on the development of the country. “Belarus is replacing the traditional gas, timber and coal with such energy sources as wind, solar and biofuels. We are developing a peaceful nuclear program and building a nuclear power plant, which will be one of the most modern and safe nuclear power plants in the world. I am convinced that only together we can preserve our planet's natural resources and ensure the availability of future energy for new generations,” he said.

The Belarusian head of government expressed confidence that EXPO in Astana will become not only a forum for innovations and ideas but will also make a significant practical contribution to the strengthening of mutual understanding and cooperation between countries and peoples.

The theme of the Astana Expo 2017 is Future Energy. The expo covers one of the hottest topics the international community is concerned about — alternative sources of energy. The expo will stay open through 10 September.

A spherical building called Nur Alem is the key and main pavilion of the Astana Expo 2017. The concept of the pavilion is to present a museum of energy of the future. Its seven floors are demonstrating the main kinds of energy — the energy of space, solar energy, biomass, wind, water, and kinetic energy. The eighth floor is designed to demonstrate what Astana will look like in 2050.

Belarus is represented by a national pavilion where visitors can learn about the latest Belarusian R&D projects and promising investment projects in an interactive way. The modern pictorial art exhibition From Lisbon to Vladivostok via Minsk, Moscow, and Astana is part of Belarus’ national exposition. It features works by artists from 25 countries. The figure indicates how much attention Belarus pays to integration processes in the entire Eurasian space.