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

I International conference “St. Petersburg – the Sea Capital of Russia. Environment” hosted 250 people from 30 regions of Russia, countries of near and far abroad

On March 17 the I International conference “St. Petersburg – the Sea Capital of Russia. Environment” was held within the framework of the “UNITED RUSSIA” chaired by Bureau Member of the Party Supreme Council and famous arctic explorer Artur N. Chilingarov. 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 Tulpanov. Mr Tulpanov mentioned that “the conference will serve to make a substantial contribution into handling a priority national problem – supply of all regions of Russia with quality water, improvement of the general state of the country’s rivers, lakes and seas, raising environmental awareness of industrial enterprises and business-structures”.

The II Plenary session devoted to environmental problems of certain basins and water objects of Russia’s regions was moderated by Artur Chilingarov. He subtotaled the conference: “Our Project has reached China! We started from St. Petersburg and now the whole country is with us. I am more than satisfied with themes selected for discussion at our meeting. St. Petersburg has become some kind of ecological “capital”, and it is a big deal that the conference ground proves to be efficient.”

Reports on common problems of water resources ecology in Russia, state water control, aspects of trans-border cooperation and also on specific issues of the Baltic, Black, Japan seas, Arctic water area, trans-border Amur river environments. Head of Federal Service for Environmental Control Vladimir Kirillov and Head of Federal Agency of water resources Marina 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 held their speeches before the audience.

Later three panel discussions were held, devoted to sewage treatment problems, surrounding environment of sea and river ports and economic motivation of enterprises towards environmental activities. At the panel discussions specialists told about innovative sewage purification systems, 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. Environment” resulted in the Resolution submitted to the respective ministry and agencies, which included all suggestions of the participants concerning improvement of Russia’s environmental legislation and development of measures for water resources conservation in the country.