Valentina Matvienko: Within the Framework of Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation We Stand Against Selfish Politization of Environmental Topic

Chairperson of the IPA CIS Council, Speaker of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation Valentina Matvienko told in the interview to “Parlamentskaya Gazeta” about how the current Nevsky International Ecological Congress is different from the previous ones, why it is important to hold it under current difficult circumstances and how to counter the use of environmental agenda for selfish goals.

According to the Chairperson, the world has entered into the era, where the economic and social progress of the humanity and welfare growth is no longer possible without restoring and strengthening of the environmental safety of the planet. The countries are looking for answers to the questions they had never faced before. All this creates a need for establishing cooperation in the field of ecology.

She stressed that this year the Congress would bring together a representative, indeed international audience. Among those, who confirmed the participation, are the heads and secretaries general of the international organizations, speakers of parliaments, representatives of large businesses, prominent experts.

An important distinctive feature of the event this year will be a comprehensive and complex program. The new climate policy, green energy, circular economy, environmental security, rational use of natural recourses, the Arctic ecology, preserving biodiversity, ecological education and tourism – the discussions will be held within ten roundtables.

Speaking about the situation in the Russian Federation, Valentina Matvienko stressed that Russia had made a great progress in improving ecological legislation. At the same time, there is still much to do, above all, develop and adopt legal acts that strengthen the responsibility of businesses for causing environmental damage.

One of the topics of the interview was the “politization” of ecology and possible abuse in this field, the use of ecological agenda for selfish goals.

“Unfortunately, we observe the use by certain states and circles of ecological issues as an instrument for manipulation in their political, financial, economic and other interests. This is what sometimes happens with large projects, such as Nord Stream 2”, said Valentina Matvienko.