The Second International Conference "Acquisition of a Metropolitan Status by Astana" was held in Astana City.

The Second International Conference dedicated to the capital of Kazakhstan was held in Astana.  Its theme was "Acquisition of a Metropolitan Status by Astana". The forum was organized under the auspices of the Akimat (City Hall) of Astana, a public fund "Ethnopolitical and Social Research Center", and L. Gumilev Eurasian National University that hosted the Conference.

This year the Conference focused directly on the process of acquisition of the high status by the main city of Kazakhstan.

Some 40 researchers from Kazakhstan, Russia, Byelorussia, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and France participated in the event. During of first day the participants discussed the concept "metropolitan", interaction between metropolitan residents and the environment, urban symbols and many other topics.    
 


UCLG Euro-Asia Secretary General Mr. Rassikh Sagitov presented a paper on "The Role of International Organizations in the Formation on the Image and Recognizability of a Capital" in which he spoke about the experience of cooperation between Kazan and such international organizations as UNESCO, UN-Habitat, Organization of Islamic  Capitals and Cities, Congress of the Council of Europe, United Cities and Local Governments, and the Organization of World Heritage Cities. Mr. Sagitov's speech aroused much interest and caused a vivid discussion because it provided a real sample of formation of a city's image before the world community. UCLG Euro-Asia Secretary General received an invitation to participate in the next Conference.       

This was the second conference focusing on Astana issues. The first one was held in 2008 - the date of Astana's 10-year Anniversary. 

30.06.2009

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