It was all glitter and fanfare at Kazakhstan’s Astana Expo, which kicked off on June 10. Under the theme ‘Future Energy’, the Expo comes at a fitting time, especially as Kazakhstan seeks to be less dependent on conventional energy industries and adopt renewable energy policies in line with the Paris Climate Agreement.
   As such, Astana Expo displays the latest developments and technologies in the renewable energy industries. More than 100 different countries are taking part in this event, and they all provide possible solutions to the same crucial question— how can we ensure safe and sustainable access to energy while reducing carbon dioxide emission?
   Event organizers predict that a whopping 5 million people will visit the Expo by the time it wraps up. And about 500,000 of these total visitors will have visited the Korea Pavilion, one of the largest and most popular national pavilions at the Expo.
   To further promote Korea as a pioneer of future energy technologies, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and KOTRA launched National Day of Korea at the Korea Pavilion. The Pavilion is comprised of three major zones: the prologue (‘Energy Korea’), the main show (‘Future Energy, Smart Life’) and the epilogue (‘Energy Citizen’). Spanning over 1,000 m 2 , it houses an exhibition hall and a theater that showcases Korea’s most

cutting-edge energy technologies. Thanks to live performances and augmented reality programs, more than 100,000 people have already checked out the Korea Pavilion in just three weeks of its opening.
   “The Expo is a festival where leading-edge technologies are showcased and cul- tural exchange and economic cooperation culminate,” says Standing

Commissioner Kim Young Sam of the Korea Trade Commission. Kim hopes that the Pavilion and National Day of Korea will help improve the national image of Korea among people from Kazakhstan and all over the world.
   But the Pavilion was more than a venue for displaying Korea’s technological prowess; event-goers also got to enjoy the K-Culture Party

that was held on July 18. K-pop groups Highlight and AOA, as well as Kazakhstan’s Ninety One and Black Dial, put on a spectacular 150 minute show during the event. More than 8,000 K-pop fans filled the seats of the concert which also aired on Kazakhstan’s state-run media outlet Khabar Agency. K-drama fans had the chance to meet Korean actor Seo Kang-joon who is also serving as the Pavilion’s honorary ambassador.

   On the sidelines of the main pro-gram, fruitful discussions took place at the Korea-Kazakhstan Energy Forum at the Rixos Almaty Hotel. Jointly held by KOTRA and the Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO), 150 experts from the public and private sectors attended the forum. The meetings were made up of informative presentations and panel discussions on Korea and Kazakhstan’s future vision under the new climate regime.

   Visitors will be able to check out Korea’s vibrant culture and technology at the Korea Pavilion until September 10.