Role of IPA CIS in Addressing Issues of Development and Protection of Mountain Territories Noted at Forum in Adygea

On 1-2 August, the forum of mountain regions of the Russian Federation "Sustainable Development of Mountain Territories" takes place in Maikop. The main issues of discussion are political and legal support, Russian and international experience of sustainable development of mountain and foothill territories, protection and preservation of the traditional habitat of mountain people.

The forum was organized by the Civic Chamber of the Russian Federation and the Government of the Republic of Adygea. The meeting in Maikop was a preparatory event for the International Forum "Sustainable Development of Mountain Territories", which will be held in October at the IPA CIS headquarters.

Deputy of the Jogorku Kenesh of the Kyrgyz Republic, member of the IPA CIS Permanent Commission on Political Issues and International Cooperation Arslanbek Maliev, Head of the Republic of Adygea Murat Kumpilov, Chair of the State Council — Khase of the Republic of Adygea Vladimir Narozhny, Chair of the Council of Elders of the International Circassian Association, Hero of Labour of the Russian Federation, People's Writer of Adygea Iskhak Mashbash, representatives of relevant departments, state and municipal authorities, academicians and experts from the Kyrgyz Republic, the Russian Federation and the Republic of Tajikistan took part in the Forum.

A welcoming speech was made by former Head of the Republic of Dagestan Ramazan Abdulatipov, who noted the role of the Assembly and its Chairperson, Speaker of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation Valentina Matvienko in the drafting and adoption of the Model Law on the Development of Mountain Territories.

Secretary of the IPA CIS Permanent Commission on Agrarian Policy, Natural Resources and Ecology Natalia Amburtseva told more about the provisions of the document and the IPA CIS lawmaking activities in this area at the session "Political and Legal Support for Sustainable Development of Mountain and Foothill Territories".

According to her, the issues of sustainable development of territories are a priority in the IPA CIS activities. The Model Law on the Development and Protection of Mountain Territories received a wide resonance and positive assessment among the European community, including from the Mountain Partnership. The document takes into account the specifics of the Commonwealth countries, describes ways of solving social, economic and environmental problems of mountain regions, as well as outlines ideas for ensuring cross-border cooperation.

"The discussions of the law held over the past time have shown that for its effective implementation in the national legislation of the CIS countries it is necessary to cooperate between sectoral bodies. At the regular session of the Commission it was decided to develop a model Concept of sustainable development of mountain territories for the Commonwealth countries, which will be a continuation of the model law", – said Natalia Amburtseva.

The document will become a practical guide to policy-making in the field of development and protection of mountain territories. It will give recommendations directly to the executive authorities on how to ensure the development and protection of mountain territories, the IPA CIS representative added.

In conclusion, Natalia Amburtseva presented in detail the business program of the International Forum "Sustainable Development of Mountain Territories", which will be held on 12-13 October at the Tavricheskiy Palace in St. Petersburg, and invited experts to take an active part in its work. The members of the meeting proposed to discuss the creation of a roadmap for sustainable development of mountain territories in Eurasia on the margins of the Mountain Forum in St. Petersburg.

The Forum is being organized by the IPA CIS, the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, the Russian Academy of Sciences and the Russian Geographical Society under the support of the CIS Executive Committee and the Government of St. Petersburg.  

Representatives of parliaments, executive authorities, local government of the CIS Member Nations and other states, world academia and international organizations will discuss issues of sustainable development of mountain territories, as well as ways to strengthen cooperation in the area.

Within the framework of the event there will be the International Forum Travel Hub “Commonwealth”, the theme of which in 2023 will be mountain tourism in the CIS countries.