GlobalPORT-2010 «St.Petersburg — the Sea Capital of Russia. Ecology»

I International conference “St. Petersburg – the sea capital of RUSSIA. Ecology” gathered 250 people from 30 regions of Russia, countries of near and far abroad

On March 17 in St. Petersburg within the framework of the “UNITED RUSSIA” Party Project “St. Petersburg – the sea capital of RUSSIA” with Bureau Member of the UNITED RUSSIA Party Supreme Council Artur Nikolaevich Chilingarov as a coordinator the I International conference “St. Petersburg – the sea capital of RUSSIA. Ecology” was held. More than 250 people from 30 regions of Russia, countries of near and far abroad took part in the event.

The I Plenary session was started with an opening speech of Chairman of Legislative Assembly of St. Petersburg Vadim Albertovich Tulpanov. Vadim Albertovich mentioned that “the conference is called upon to make a substantial contribution into handling a priority national problem – supply of all Russia regions with quality water, increase in ecology level of the country water resources and environmental awareness of industrial enterprises and business-structures”.

The II Plenary session devoted to ecology problems at certain basins and water objects of Russia’ regions was visited by coordinator of the Project “St. Petersburg – the sea capital of RUSSIA” Artur Nikilaevich Chilingarov, First deputy chief of the faction “UNITED RUSSIA” in the State Duma of the Russian Federation of the 5th convocation, famous Russian scientist and researcher. Artur Nikilaevich subtotaled the conference: “Our Project has reached China! We started from St. Petersburg and now the whole country is with us. I am very glad with themes put on discussion at our meeting. St. Petersburg has become some kind of ecological “capital”, and it is very nice that that this base turn out to be so productive!”

There were made at the conference reports on common problems in water resources ecology in Russia, state water control, aspects of trans-border cooperation and also on specific issues on ecology at Baltic, Black, Japan seas, Arctic water area, trans-border Amur river. Head of Federal Service for Environmental Control Vladimir Vladimirovich Kirillov and Head of Federal Agency of water resources Marina Valerievna Seliverstova, Consul General of Japan in St. Petersburg Itiro Kavabata, Consul General of the Republic of Korea in St. Petersburg Lee Sok Pae and other distinguished guests spoke for the participants.

Later three panel discussions were held, they were devoted to sewage treatment problems, ecology of ports and economic motivation of enterprises towards environmental activities as well. At panel discussions specialists told of innovations sewage purification, dangers caused by sunken objects at the bottoms of rivers and offshore strips, possibilities for application of space activity results in monitoring of sea port operation and etc.

The I International conference “St. Petersburg – the sea capital of RUSSIA. Ecology” will result into draft resolution that includes all suggestions of the participants concerning improvement of Russia ecology legislation and development of measures for water resources conservation in Russia.