Today marks the 20th anniversary of capital's move to Astana
Speaking before the deputies at the Parliamentary session, the Head of State Nursultan Nazarbayev explained the need for the move and noted that the choice was made based on 32 criteria. After a heated discussion decided to support the President's initiative.
On July 6, 1996, the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan adopted a resolution "On the Transfer of the Capital of the Republic of Kazakhstan".
On October 20, 1997, the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan issued a decree declaring the city of Akmola the new capital of the Republic of Kazakhstan starting December 10, 1997. The official presentation of the city of Akmola as the new capital was scheduled for June 10, 1998.
The state symbols of the Republic of Kazakhstan were delivered to Akmola on November 8, 1997.
During these days the first group of the Executive Office, Government, Ministries, and departments staff arrived in the new capital.
In his book In the Heart of Eurasia President Nazarbayev notes that he personally wished good luck to the staff of the Executive Office moving to Akmola and highlighted the importance of the move of the capital which started the new stage of the power reform in Kazakhstan. Nursultan Nazarbayev stressed that a new generation of civil servants will form in the new capital and that this would, first of all, involve the central state bodies.
On December 10, 1997, the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan together with the heads of the Government and Parliament signed an appeal to the people of Kazakhstan, which was published in the press.
It said that from this day the most important decisions will be made in the new center of Kazakhstan.
On the same day, the Head of State appointed Adilbek Dzhaksybekov Akim of Astana.
Today, Astana is an international center in Eurasia that hosts various global forums, congresses, and other events.
To name just a few of them, in 2010 the city hosted the OSCE Summit, which led to a significant restructuring of the organization's activities. Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, as well as Astana Economic Forum, are regularly held here.
In 2011, Astana jointly with Almaty held the 7th Winter Asian Games and this year - the International Specialized Exhibition EXPO-2017.
Today Astana with a population of one million consists of three districts-Saryarka, Almaty, and Yesil. In 1999, the young capital of Kazakhstan was awarded the medal and the high title of the City of Peace by UNESCO. Since 2000, Astana has been a member of the International Assembly of Capital and Major Cities.