Kazakhstan's EXPO 2017 Commissioner Rapil Zhoshybayev paid a working visit to the Republic of Sri Lanka on August 12. During the visit, Zhoshybayev held a meeting with the National Section Commissioner of Sri Lanka – Huejay International Chairman of the Board Hubert Jayakody.

The sides exchanged views on prospects of bilateral cooperation . Jayakody, who was Commissioner of Sri Lanka during 12 previous international exhibitions, commended the preparation progress of the Astana Exhibition.

The EXPO 2017 Commissioner, in turn, expressed gratitude to Sri Lanka for the support of the Kazakhstan’s bid for a non-permanent membership of the UN Security Council for 2017-2018 and gave details of the work progress aimed at organizing the Exhibition themed Future Energy. The sides thoroughly discussed terms of participation of the island state in EXPO 2017, identified the location of the pavilion. An estimated area of the pavilion of Sri Lanka accounts for 526 sq.m. Zhoshybayev stressed that participation of Sri Lanka in EXPO 2017 is a significant step forward in the development of relations between two countries.

According to Jayakody, currently the total energy capacity in Sri Lanka is 3.9 GW, 11% of which, or 448 MW, is generated from renewable energy sources. At the same time, the island state gets most green energy from small hydro and wind power stations. By 2030 Sri Lanka plans to increase the share of renewable energy in power generation up to 100%.

Following the results of the meeting, Zhoshybayev and Jayakody signed the Agreement on Participation of Sri Lanka in the International Exhibition EXPO 2017.

(Aki Press)