Best Practices of Environmental Protection of Natural Reserves Were Presented at Environmental Forum in St. Petersburg

On 27-29 March, the XXIII International Forum “Ecology of Big City” was held in St. Petersburg. The main topic of discussion was the development of specially protected natural areas and their infrastructure. The participants discussed the attraction of investments in nature and the development of ecotourism.

The event was supported by the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, the Information-Analytical Center for Natural Specially Protected Areas Support of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation, the Committee for Nature Use, Environmental Protection and Ecological Safety of the Government of St. Petersburg.

At the opening ceremony, the greeting of Speaker of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, Chairperson of the IPA CIS Council Valentina Matvienko was read by Chair of the Committee of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation on Agriculture and Food Policy and Environmental Management Alexander Dvoinykh.

At the plenary session “Reserved Potential of Megalopolis: How to Maintain a Balance Between Ecosystem and Technological Development” the expediency of using funds from the resort fee for the development of specially protected natural areas was discussed.

Thematic sections and special projects were devoted to the problems of the development of specially protected natural areas; practical issues of environmental protection in cities; environmental monitoring, including prospects for development using the latest technologies; waste management; sustainable development of the urban environment; green technologies; features of the circular economy.

The purpose of the Forum was to promote and introduce innovative environmental protection equipment and technologies in Russia that contribute to the conservation of natural resources, strengthen environmental safety and improve the quality of life of the population in large cities.

The representatives of government, academia, business, environmental organizations and specialized associations from more than 40 regions of Russia and 10 countries of the world took part in the Forum.

The CIS Interparliamentary Assembly was represented at the event by Secretary of the IPA CIS Permanent Commission on Agrarian Policy, Natural Resources and Ecology, Executive Secretary of the IPA CIS Expert Advisory Board on Ecology and Environmental Management Natalia Amburtseva.

Photo: ecology.expoforum.ru