Business programme

22.05.2025

10:00–10:15

Tavrichesky Palace, Ekaterininskiy Hall

Main programme

Opening ceremony of the XI Nevsky International Ecological Congress

22.05.2025

10:30–12:00

Tavrichesky Palace, hall 1

Main programme Broadcast

Food Security amidst Climate Change

Ministry of Agriculture of the Russian Federation, Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation

Issues surrounding food security are becoming increasingly important. Russia is a major food exporter, ranking third in the world in grain exports and first in wheat and frozen fish, while also becoming a leader in barley and peas. The geography of exports has expanded to the markets of Africa, Asia, and the Persian Gulf. Exports of high-value-added products are also on the rise: sugar and oils exports are up 200% and 50%, respectively, and flour exports have grown to more than 1 million tonnes. From 1990 to 2022, greenhouse gas emissions in agriculture decreased by 55.83% from 250 to 130 million tons of CO₂ equivalent due to the introduction of precision farming, biofuels, the differentiated application of agrochemicals, and moisture-saving technologies. On 10 March 2025, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree to expand the Food Security Doctrine. Russia’s strategic goal is to maintain stability on global food markets. The Russian agro-industrial complex faces the strategic tasks of increasing agricultural production by 25%, increasing exports by 50% compared with 2021, and ensuring technological independence. These objectives are enshrined in the Russian president’s decree on national goals until 2030 and should be implemented taking into account commitments to achieve carbon neutrality. How can we ensure food security amidst climate change? What innovative technologies should be introduced for the further sustainable development of the agro-industrial complex and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions? What opportunities exist to attract funding for climate projects?

Moderator:

Andrey Razin — Deputy Minister of Agriculture of the Russian Federation

Panellists:

Artem Belov — Director General, National Union of Milk Producers (Soyuzmoloko)

Alexander Dvoinykh — Chairman of the Federation Council Committee of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation on Agricultural and Food Policy and Environmental Management

Irina Zhachkina — Member of the Board, First Deputy Chairman of the Board, Russian Agricultural Bank

Johns Kharika — Chief of Science, Technology and Innovation Unit at the secretariat of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification

Amornsak Kitthananan — Senator and Vice Chairman of the Senate Standing Comimittee on Education, Higher Education, Science Research an Innovation

Vyacheslav Lukomets — Director, P.P. Lukyanenko National Grain Center

Vyacheslav Timchenko — Chairman of the Committee of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation on the regulations and organization of parliamentary activities

Li Hongpeng — Founder, Leshi Agricultural Scientific and Technical Company

Akeksandr Chumak — Deputy head of RusQuality

Andrey Yatskin — First Deputy Speaker, Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation

22.05.2025

10:30–11:45

Tavrichesky Palace, hall 16

Youth Programme Broadcast

Talent Is Key: How to Get Young People Involved in the Environment

Federal Agency for Youth Affairs, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation,Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, Saint Petersburg, “Ecosystem” Environmental Movement

The green economy is creating sustainable demand for high-quality human capital, as well as the emergence of new ecological professions. Young people are currently becoming more involved and pursuing professional careers in environmental affairs and balanced nature management. During this open dialogue, the participants will present educational and career opportunities that are currently opening up for young people who choose the environment as a field of professional interest.

Moderator:

Oleg Makarov — Advisor to the Head of the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs (Rosmolodezh)

Panellists:

Liubov Glebova — First Deputy Chair of the Committee on Constitutional Legislation and State Building of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation

Raul Alfredo Cortes Castillo — Federation of Students of Chile,Member of the Secretariat for Ecology and Natural Resources

Natalya Kotova — Member, Committee on Science, Education, and Culture, Federation Council of the Russian Federation

Parikh Madhish — Founder & President, Elixir Foundation Founding Director, BRICS Youth Alliance

Alexandra Ryabykh — Co-chairman, All-Russian Environmental Public Movement "Ecosystem"

Natalia Ryazanova — Head of the Laboratory, Department of Integrated International Ecological Problems and Wildlife Management, MGIMO University

Elena Savenkova — Director, Institute of Ecology, Patrice Lumumba Peoples' Friendship University of Russia

Tatyana Terentyeva — Deputy Director General for Human Resources, State Atomic Energy Corporation ROSATOM

Anastasia Faterina — Public Figure; Volunteer Group Director, Clean Arctic Public Environmental Project; Director, ‘Skazano–Sdelano’ (‘No Sooner Said Than Done’) Media Project

22.05.2025

10:30–12:00

Tavrichesky Palace, Reading Room

Main programme Broadcast

The Caspian Sea: Cooperation for the Future

Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation, Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, Interparliamentary Assembly of Member Nations of the Commonwealth of Independent States

As the largest lake on Earth, the Caspian Sea is a unique natural feature. Roughly 130 rivers flow into the sea, which is located on the territory of all Caspian states – Russia, Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan. Over the past two decades, water levels in the Caspian Sea have decreased by almost three metres to an all-time low, while the coastline has retreated by a distance of 15–20 kilometres.
The problem of water fluctuations in the sea can only be solved through coordinated response measures at the interstate level of all Caspian states and more collaborative research to study how global climate change in the region is making the sea shallower. Such research is of paramount importance to preserving the ecosystem of the Caspian Sea and ensuring the further sustainable development of the economic activities of Caspian countries. The mechanisms of the Framework Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Caspian Sea (the Tehran Convention) are the foundation for the five countries to cooperate on such issues as sea level fluctuations, preventing pollution, protecting the sea against the aftermath of environmental emergencies, as well as the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of biological resources. What steps need to be taken to enhance cooperation in the transport and logistics sector and build on the region’s tourism potential? What programmes could be developed to preserve biological diversity, including sturgeon and the Caspian seal, as a key indicator of the ecosystem’s sustainability? How can the CASPCOM organization step up its work to address environmental and climate issues in the region? What approaches could be used for the medium-term and long-term forecasting of the Caspian Sea level?

Moderator:

Mukhtar Babayev — Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Climate Issues

Panellists:

Mahir Aliev — Coordinator, Tehran Convention Secretariat, UN Environment Programme

Sergey Anoprienko — Senator of the Russian Federation

Shina Ansari — Vice President of the Islamic Republic of Iran; Director, Department of Environment of the Islamic Republic of Iran

Denis Afanasiev — Vice-Governor, Chairman of the Government of the Astrakhan Region

Rauf Gadzhiev — Deputy Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Dmitriy Kirillov — Head, Federal Agency for Water Resources

Alexander Kozlov — Minister of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation

Ilya Shestakov — Head, Federal Agency for Fisheries (Rosrybolovstvo)

Igor Shumakov — Head, Federal Service for Hydrometeorology and Environmental Monitoring

Andrey Yatskin — First Deputy Speaker, Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation

Front row participants:

Aidar Abdualiev — Deputy Chairman of the Committee for Environmental Regulation and Control of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan

Sergey Zhuravlev — Director, State Hydrological Institute

Yuri Kaminov — Acting Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection of the Republic of Kalmykia

Ibrahim Kerimov — Director, Scientific and Technical Institute of Geoecology and Nature Management; Vice President, Academy of Sciences of the Chechen Republic

22.05.2025

10:30–12:00

Tavrichesky Palace, hall 9

Main programme Broadcast

Everything for Nature: Artificial Intelligence and High Technologies

Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation, Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, Interparliamentary Assembly of Member Nations of the Commonwealth of Independent States

Unique technologies as well as engineering and digital solutions are being created to minimize the environmental impact of humans. Technological innovations and the introduction of biotechnologies, robotics, information systems, and artificial intelligence are currently reducing the adverse impact on all components of the environment, including water bodies, air, soil, flora, and fauna, in order to ensure careful and prudent nature management: from the modern Vostok station in Antarctica and the North Pole ice platform to eco-technoparks and automated systems that monitor and manage technological processes. Training the workforce to adapt to the changing landscape of the ecology and nature management industry is a separate issue that needs to be addressed. Will nature conservation become the profession of the future? Foresters, polar explorers, ecologists, bioengineers, architects, and artificial intelligence engineers. What professions does the nature conservation sector need?

Moderator:

Sulaimon Ishamov — Managing Director, ESG Directorate, Sberbank

Panellists:

Evgeny Abakumov — Director for Information Infrastructure, State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom; Scientific Director, Scientific Center of Information Technologies and Artificial Intelligence, Sirius University

Boriy Alikhanov — Member, Committee on Entrepreneurship and the Development of Competition and Industry, Legislative Chamber, Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan

Alexey Burov — Deputy General Director for Digitalization, Russian Ecological Operator

Nophadol In-na — Senator and Vice Chairperson Working Group on Science and Technology, Inter-Parliamentary Union (lPU)

Stepan Kalmykov — Vice-President, Chairman of the Scientific Council on Global Environmental Problems, Russian Academy of Sciences

Alexander Makarov — Director, Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute

Dimitrios Rallis — Deputy Secretary General of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization

Guo Xinlei — Deputy Director, Department of Hydraulics, China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research (IWHR)

Viacheslav Spirenkov — Deputy Head, Federal Forestry Agency

Konstantin Tsyganov — First Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation

Front row participants:

Alexander Zakondyrin — Director, All-Russian Research Institute for Environmental Protection

Dmitriy Kirillov — Head, Federal Agency for Water Resources

Irina Manina — Director, Hydrogen Energy Project Office, Rusatom Integrated Engineering Projects

Ren Minglei — Professor and Senior Engineer, China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research (IWHR)

Oleg Pak — Vice President, Rostelecom

Pavel Cherenkov — CEO, TerraTech

Artem Sheikin — First Deputy Chairman of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation on Constitutional Legislation and State Building

22.05.2025

10:30–12:00

Tavrichesky Palace, hall 20

Congress partner events Broadcast

Biodiversity is a Strategic Priority: Combining the Efforts of the State, Business, and Society

Biological diversity is the main natural resource of Russia and the entire planet and has key environmental, social, economic, and aesthetic significance. The preservation of biodiversity is the most pressing task of our time and an integral part of the concept of sustainable development. The 15th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity adopted the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, which set global goals and targets for the conservation of biological diversity for the period up to 2030, with a view to 2050. The Framework focuses on actions and results and is intended to provide guidance and incentives at all levels for reviewing, developing, updating, and implementing policies, goals, targets, and national biodiversity strategies and action plans. Under the Framework, the Parties to the Convention are required to develop national biodiversity strategies and action plans for its implementation. This work requires intersectoral cooperation, the consideration of plans and priorities for socioeconomic development and the corresponding harmonization of national legislation. The session will discuss the provisions of the National Strategy for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biological Diversity, as well as the strategic documents of other countries on biological diversity. Participants will also consider the most important initiatives to harmonize activities in the conservation and sustainable use of natural resources.

Moderator:

Svetlana Sheinfeld — Deputy Director, Kept Taxes and Consulting

Panellists:

Dmitriy Belanovich — Minister of Natural Resources, Forestry, and Ecology of the Perm Territory

Alexander Zakondyrin — Director, All-Russian Research Institute for Environmental Protection

Olga Kalashnikova — Director of Environmental Management, PAO Severstal

Olga Krever — Deputy Director, Roszapovedtsentr of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation

Irina Makanova — Director of the Department of State Policy and Regulation in the Development of Specially Protected Natural Areas, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation

Elena Matveeva — Coordinator of the Subcommittee on the Protection of Lake Baikal, State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation

Raisa Momot — Head of Sustainable Development, SIBUR

Sergey Naidenko — Director, Institute of Problems of Ecology and Evolution. A.N. Severtsov Russian Academy of Sciences

Sara Pavkov — Minister of Environmental Protection of the Republic of Serbia

Liudmila Poplavskaya — Head of the Centre for Implementation of the Conservation of Biological Diversity and Development of Ecotourism Federal Project, Analytical Centre of the Ministry of Natural Resources of Russia

Ceferino Julio Santaren Suarez — Director of the International Funds and Projects Department, Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment of the Republic of Cuba

Ali Uzdenov — Chairman the Board of Trustees, The Irbis Centre for the Study and Conservation of the Snow Leopard

Saveliy Chitanava — Chairman of the State Committee for Ecology of Abkhazia

Front row participants:

Natalia Belyakova — Director of the Department of Expedition Activities and Tourism Development, Russian Geographical Society

Oksana Klimanova — Doctor of Geographical Sciences, Associate Professor of Geography, Lomonosov Moscow State University

Denis Malikov — Director, Federal State Budgetary Institution Sailyugemsky National Park

Darya Petrova — Director, Interregional Association “Center for the Study and Conservation of the

Svetlana Sutyrina — Director, Sikhote-Alin State Natural Biosphere Reserve Named After K.G. Abramov

22.05.2025

12:15–13:30

Tavrichesky Palace, hall 16

Youth Programme Broadcast

Children for a Clean Planet

Federal Agency for Youth Affairs, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation, Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, Saint Petersburg, “Ecosystem” Environmental Movement

The roundtable will examine how to create environmental awareness in modern society and will pay special attention to the role of the younger generation as the main conductors of green values. The participants will consider key aspects of environmental education and ways to introduce sustainable development principles into popular culture. Today, it is crucial for different generations to engage in an open dialogue and exchange opinions, ideas, and practices. People need to work on making the concept of environmental awareness a fundamental part of their own personal development, where their concern for the environment is inextricably linked with their own intellectual development. What are some effective tools for promoting a green lifestyle and methods for shaping a conscious attitude towards natural resources in children and adolescents?

Moderator:

Lilia Gumerova — Chairman of the Committee on Science, Education and Culture of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation; Chairman, Permanent Commission on Science and Education, Interparliamentary Assembly of Member Nations of the Commonwealth of Independent States

Panellists:

Nabil Belkass — President Moroccan Chinese Youth League

Ruslan Danilov — Member, Movement of the First; Author, ‘Country of Bees’ Environmental Project

Marfa Ivanova — Representative, International Division, International Association of Children’s Organizations

Gleb Leman — School Students from the Nizhny Novgorod Region Village of Kamenki and Winners of the ‘My Country – My Russia’ National Competition

Igor Leman — School Students from the Nizhny Novgorod Region Village of Kamenki and Winners of the ‘My Country – My Russia’ National Competition

Lika Moldavanova — Chairperson, Regional Council of the First of the Republic of Tatarstan; Coordinator, Community of Young Naturalists, Movement of the First of the Republic of Tatarstan

Daler Nematov — Coordinator of the Group on Cooperation with the BRICS Countries

Olga Petrova — Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation

Anna Rebrushkina — Director, Programme Directorate Staff, Ecosystem All-Russian Year-Round Youth Educational Centre

Elena Savenkova — Director, Institute of Ecology, Patrice Lumumba Peoples' Friendship University of Russia

Front row participants:

Dmitry Vasilenko — Division Chief, National Centre for PPP

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Diana Zinnatullina — Head of the Department for Work with Participants of the ‘Movement of the First’ Russian Public State Movement of Children and Youth

Vladimir Zotov — Director, Ekolyata-Doshkolyata, Ekolyata and Young Environmentalists Russian Environmental Social and Educational Projects

Natalya Kotova — Member, Committee on Science, Education, and Culture, Federation Council of the Russian Federation

Oleg Makarov — Advisor to the Head of the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs (Rosmolodezh)

Konstantin Fedorenko — Director, Artek

Olga Shkabardnya —

Olga Schetinina — Member of the Committee of the Council of the Federation of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation on Science, Education and Culture

22.05.2025

12:30–14:00

Tavrichesky Palace, Reading Room

Main programme Broadcast

Sustainable Development of BRICS: How Environmental Projects Change the World for the Better

Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation

The discussion will focus on the feasibility of preparing and implementing multilateral and bilateral environmental projects within BRICS. The participants will discuss the New Development Bank’s capabilities and interest in implementing environmental projects, as well as ideas voiced by Russian businesses and the banking sector about ways to attract financing. They will pay particular attention to the needs of BRICS member countries and partners for international environmental projects. Is it even possible to develop truly multilateral environmental projects? What capabilities and interest have the New Development Bank and other financial institutions shown in supporting environmental initiatives? What ideas are Russian businesses and the banking sector offering for promising environmental protection activities?How can funding be raised to implement specific projects? What mechanisms are available to this end? What are some of the risks and obstacles involved in preparing and implementing such projects?

Moderator:

Kirill Komarov — First Deputy General Director, Director of the Development and International Business Unit, State Atomic Energy Corporation ROSATOM

Panellists:

Shina Ansari — Vice President of the Islamic Republic of Iran; Director, Department of Environment of the Islamic Republic of Iran

Beatrice Atim Anywar — State Minister for Environment of the Republic of Uganda

Irina Bakhtina — Deputy Director General on sustainable development, En+ Group

Alexander Kozlov — Minister of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation

Balarabe Abbas Lawal — Minister of Environment of the Federal Republic of Nigeria

Bhekizizwe Radebe — MP, House Chairperson for International Relations & MEMEBERS Support National Council of Provinces, Parliament of the Republic of South Africa

Suparwoto Sugeng — Vice-Chairman of Commission XII House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia

Mohammed Saeed Sultan Al Nuaimi — Undersecretary of Ministry of Climate Change & Environment on behalf of United Arab Emirates

Valery Tanaev — Deputy General Director, Chief Engineer, Russian Railways

Hiwot Hailu — Senior Advisor for the Director General of the Ethiopian Environmental Protection Authority

Sun Jinlong — Vice Minister of Ecology and Environment of the People`s Republic of China

Front row participants:

Ousmane Abarchi — Minister of Mines of the Republic of the Niger

Ivan Zhydkikh — Executive Secretary of the Climate Policy and Carbon Management Committee, Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs

Rashid Ismailov — Head of the Russian Ecology Society; Co-Chairman of the Expert Council under the Federation Council Committee on Agriculture and Food Policy and Environmental Management

Alexander Makarov — Director, Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute

Carlos Alberto Mendez Garcia — Deputy Director of the International Cooperation Department, Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment of the Republic of Cuba

Nelly Paredes Del Castillo — President of the Board of Directors of the National Forest and Wildlife Service of the Republic of Peru

Vyacheslav Fetisov — First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation on Ecology, Natural Resources and Environment Protection; Chairman, Russian Society for Nature Conservation (VOOP)

Pindi Hazara Chana — Minister of Natural Resources and Tourism of the United Republic of Tanzania

Xin He — Deputy Director, Department for International Cooperation, China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research

22.05.2025

12:30–14:00

Tavrichesky Palace, hall 9

Main programme Broadcast

Developing Ecotourism in Harmony with Nature

Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation, Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, Interparliamentary Assembly of Member Nations of the Commonwealth of Independent States

Ecotourism is one of the fastest growing sectors of the global economy.
Interest in outdoor recreation has been steadily increasing over the last several years. For example, in Russia, federal specially protected natural areas were visited more than 54 million times from 2021 to 2024. Given the growing interest in natural areas among tourists, developing ecotourism as a tool for nature conservation is a major priority.
This session participants will get a better understanding of the specifics of ecotourism, assess the outlook for the further development of these sectors, accentuate the importance of legal regulation and financial support from the government and business, as well as answer pressing questions. What are some common points and paths for the development of ecotourism? What are the main focuses for the development of ecotourism in Russia and around the world? What legislative innovations could be introduced and how should interaction with business be intensified? How crucial are investments for the sustainable growth of ecotourism, state support measures for investors in Russia, and international experience?

Moderators:

Mohmad Akhmadov — Deputy Chairman, Committee on Social Policy, Federation Council of the Russian Federation

Valery Sidorenko — First Deputy Chief of Staff of the Government of the Russian Federation

Panellists:

Yousuf Khalaf Marhoon Al Mujaizi — Assistant Director of Tourism Business Development Ministry of Heritage and Tourism Sultanate of Oman

Natalia Belyakova — Director of the Department of Expedition Activities and Tourism Development, Russian Geographical Society

Filipp Gulyi — Chairman of the Board, Republican Union of Tourism Industry of the Republic of Belarus

Vladislav Donchenko — Doctor of Economics, Professor, Honored Scientist of the Russian Federation, chief scientific officer, St Petersburg scientific research center for ecological safety of the Russian Academy of sciences, Head of international expert group on the development of the model law “On ecological tourism of member Nations Of The Commonwealth Of Independent states”

Anna Zhigulskaya — Head of the Project Office for Internal Communications and Corporate Social Responsibility, Rosatom

Sergei Ivanov — Special Representative of the President of the Russian Federation on Environmental Protection, Ecology and Transport

Jalal Ismailov — Director of representation office of Azerbaijan Tourism Board in Russia

Roman Koltsa — Chairman, Vitebsk Regional Committee on Natural Resources and Environmental Protection

Elena Kutukova — Director, Ladoga Skerries National Park

Vadim Mamontov — Vice President, Russian Union of Travel Industry; General Director, RussiaDiscovery

Alexey Musakin — Vice President, Russian Hotel Association,co-owner Cronwell Hospitality Group

Elbek Nabiyev — Chief Specialist, Department of International Relations and Ratings, Tourism Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan

Yevgeny Pankevich — Chairman, St. Petersburg Tourism Development Committee

Elena Perminova — Chairman, Committee on Social Policy, Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation

Nadezhda Podoplekina — Director, Sebezhsky National Park

Regina Rudakova — Head of the Russian Representative Office of the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Heritage of Oman, General Manager of COATI Representative

Tatiana Sakharova — Deputy Chairman, Federation Council Committee of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation on Agricultural and Food Policy and Environmental Management

Batyr Tursunov — Deputy Secretary-General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization

Sergey Khvorostyany — Deputy General Director for International Relations and Tourism, Rosa Khutor, Representative, Eurasian Alliance of Mountain Resorts

Front row participants:

Khaloud Salim Khalaf Al Kaabi — Head of Section of European & American Markets Business Development Department Ministry of Heritage and Tourism The Sultanate of Oman

Oleg Berkovich — Deputy Governor of the Nizhny Novgorod Region

Nikolay Giryaev — Advisor of the Deputy Chairman of the Council of Federation of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation Y.L. Vorobyova

Vladimir Klimanov — Director, Institute for Public Finance Reform (IPFR); Head of the Regional Policy Center, Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration (RANEPA)

Irina Makanova — Director of the Department of State Policy and Regulation in the Development of Specially Protected Natural Areas, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation

Kirill Rodin — Director for Government Relations, Russian Public Opinion Research Center

Sergey Rybakov — General Director, Foundation "Nature and People"

22.05.2025

12:30–14:00

Tavrichesky Palace, Atrium Hall

Main programme Broadcast

Circular Economy: Growth Points, Challenges and Prospects

Russian Environmental Operator, Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation

Waste management has become one of the most attractive industries for investment in recent times. Russia began reforming its waste management industry back in 2019. Since then, despite adverse economic factors caused by the pandemic and sanctions pressure, Russia has managed to build 295 infrastructure facilities, which have helped to increase the share of municipal solid waste sent for processing to more than 55%. Russia is now recycling 13.9% of the country’s waste. The industry has also shown great success in phasing out imports, whose share has decreased to 30% over five years. The industry continues to undergo reforms, while the government and business now face new challenges. One of the key tasks is to create a portfolio of investment projects to build waste recycling infrastructure and to also build 400 new waste management facilities together with businesses based on instructions from Russian President Vladimir Putin. What are the main focuses of the state policy to develop a circular economy in Russia? How effective is the legislative regulation of the waste management industry? How can provide state support for green projects? Do we need to update the standards for solid municipal waste accumulation in order to make effective tariff decisions?

Moderator:

Kirill Tokarev — Editor-in-Chief, Anchor, RBC

Panellists:

Mukhtar Babayev — Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Climate Issues

Denis Butsayev — Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation

Yekaterina Gorshkova — CEO, Nevsky Environmental Operator

Alexander Dvoinykh — Chairman of the Federation Council Committee of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation on Agricultural and Food Policy and Environmental Management

Dmitry Kobylkin — Chairman of the Committee of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation on Ecology,Natural Resources and Environmental Protection

Kiatchai Maitriwong — Senator and Deputy Chairman of the Standing Committee on Energy, Senate of the Kingdom of Thailand

Andrey Nikipelov — Deputy General Director for Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Solutions, State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom

Gleb Nikitin — Governor of Nizhny Novgorod Region

Irina Tarasova — CEO, Russian Environmental Operator

22.05.2025

12:30–14:00

Tavrichesky Palace, hall 20

Congress partner events Broadcast

Our Planet – Our Voice: Mechanisms for Civil Society’s Participation in the Environmental Agenda

Ensuring environmental well-being is one of the national development goals of the Russian Federation. Considering the current global ecological challenges, maintaining a livable environment and responsible natural resource management can only be achieved through active public engagement. The contributions of both environmental NGOs and the broader nonprofit sector—whether already involved in protection activities or just beginning to embrace green values—are essential, as are the efforts of citizens whose responsible actions help improve the state of the environment. Public oversight and citizen participation in decision-making not only enhance transparency and trust in government initiatives and business projects but also lead to more effective solutions to environmental issues. Today, certain mechanisms for civil oversight and public engagement in state environmental policy have already been developed and implemented. However, to ensure broader public involvement in nature conservation, it is essential to continually refine existing tools while also developing new mechanisms for participation and collaboration that align with an evolving reality. How can we improve the impact of citizen involvement in decision-making related to environmental preservation and ecological monitoring? What mechanisms currently enable public participation in the state environmental agenda? What gaps need to be addressed? Citizen-Centric Governance: how to take into account the population’s needs in public administration? How can business engagement be enhanced in joint efforts with society to advance the environmental agenda? How can public access to environmental information be improved? How can public initiatives be promoted to the international level? Environmental activism: how can individual action address collective challenges? How can digital technologies enhance public oversight, transparency, and open access to environmental data?

Moderator:

Nikolay Valuev — Deputy of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, Chairman of the Public Council of the Ecology Centre of Assistance to Environmental Initiatives, Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Natural Resources, Ecology, and Environmental Protection of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union of Russia and Belarus

Panellists:

Gayane Harutyunyan — Secretary General, EAEU Public Chamber

Liubov Glebova — First Deputy Chair of the Committee on Constitutional Legislation and State Building of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation

Elena Gorokhova — Director, Interregional Ecological Public Organization "ECA"

Nikolay Doronin — Chairman of the Public Council of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation

Tatyana Kovaleva — Director, Fund to Support and Development of Environmental Initiatives "COMPASS"

Natalya Komarova — First Deputy Chairperson, Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation Committee on Agrarian and Food Policy and Nature Management

Andrey Lebedev — Director of National and Industry Environmental Programs Realization Direction, State Atomic Energy Corporation ROSATOM

Anna Nikiforova — General Director, Non-Profit Organization Management School of the Russian Presidential Grants Foundation

Kirill Rodin — Director for Government Relations, Russian Public Opinion Research Center

Alexandra Ryabykh — Co-chairman, All-Russian Environmental Public Movement "Ecosystem"

Olga Ulyanova — Director, Ecology Centre of Assistance to Environmental Initiatives

Front row participants:

Anna Bushlyakova — Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors for Corporate Volunteering

Valeria Gulimova — Executive Director, Association "Resource"

Mikhail Slipenchuk — President, Association of Polar Explorers; member of the State Commission for the Development of the Arctic

22.05.2025

14:00–15:15

Tavrichesky Palace, hall 16

Youth Programme Broadcast

Climate Agenda Itinerary: From the Southern Seas to the Polar Regions

Federal Agency for Youth Affairs, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation, Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, Saint Petersburg, “Ecosystem” Environmental Movement

Young people around the world are actively expanding the boundaries of the climate movement, while inspiring others to take deliberate actions, band together, and strengthen local initiatives for the sake of global change. Their energy and determination are becoming a catalyst for change and remind us that every small step matters. But to achieve even more, it is crucial to create new opportunities for cooperation and join efforts in developing projects that offer natural solutions and help to mitigate the effects of climate change. The event will bring together champions of climate initiatives to demonstrate existing opportunities and come up with strategic intercountry solutions that aim to address climate issues. What innovative approaches and strategies are young leaders from different countries formulating and integrating into terms of climate mitigation and adaptation to climate change? Are the existing mechanisms for involving young people in the climate agenda consistent with the pace of global climate change? What additional measures are needed to enhance the role of young professionals in addressing climate challenges?

Moderators:

Vadim Petrov — Deputy Director, Russian Research Institute Ecology, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation

Yelena Sharoykina — Chairwoman, Commission on Ecology and Environmental Protection, Public Chamber of the Russian Federation

Panellists:

Pritam Biswas — Member, Official Children and Youth Constituency of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (YOUNGO)

Diana Gamazova — Journalist, RecycleBirge; Founder of Kazakhstan’s First Podcast on Climate Change

Oleg Kobyakov — Director, Liaison Office with the Russian Federation, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)

Milena Milich — Special Representative of the Governor for Climate and Sustainable Development of the Sakhalin Region

Daler Nematov — Coordinator of the Group on Cooperation with the BRICS Countries

Orhan Solak — Deputy Director of the Directorate of Climate Change at the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change of the Republic of Türkiye

Charul Sharma — Project Associate-II Climate Change Cell Department of Environment Chandigarh Administration India

Front row participants:

Maksim Dankin — General Director, Arctic Development Project Office Expert Center

Alexandra Ryabykh — Co-chairman, All-Russian Environmental Public Movement "Ecosystem"

22.05.2025

14:30–16:00

Tavrichesky Palace, hall 1

Main programme Broadcast

Subsoil Use and the Environment: Global Challenges and Maintaining Balance

Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation, Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation

The conventional perception that subsoil use threatens environmental well-being is changing: modern approaches to subsoil development are becoming the foundation for socioeconomic development in the regions and help to eliminate environmental damage that has accumulated over time. The development of eco-friendly energy and the need to reduce the carbon footprint are creating new demands for the industry and making environmental modernization a key priority. In response to these challenges, modern technologies are transforming the image of mining enterprises. Best practices show that it is possible to significantly reduce the environmental impact during the extraction and processing of minerals, while the processing of subsoil waste is becoming a reliable source of strategic mineral raw materials. How can we ensure a balance between the growing demand for mineral raw materials and environmental conservation? What technological solutions could minimize the environmental footprint of mining enterprises? How can we turn subsoil waste into a valuable resource? Which sustainable development strategies are the most effective?

Moderator:

Alexey Bobrovsky — Economic Observer

Panellists:

Aidar Abdualiev — Deputy Chairman of the Committee for Environmental Regulation and Control of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan

Malik Mohammed Al-Wardy — Associate Professor and Director of Center of Environmental Studies ans Research, Sultan Qaboos University

Elena Gerasimovich — Environmental Manager, Salym Petroleum Development

Ruslan Dimukhamedov — Chairman, Association of Producers and Consumers of Rare Metals and Rare Earth Elements; General Director, Solikamsk Magnesium Plant (SMZ)

Andrey Epishin — Deputy Chairman of the Committee of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation on the budget and financial markets

Oleg Kazanov — Head, Federal Agency for Mineral Resources

Natalya Komarova — First Deputy Chair, Committee on Agrarian and Food Policy and Environmental Management, Federation Council of the Russian Federation

Vladimir Litvinenko — Rector, Saint-Petersburg Mining University

Stanislav Seleznev — Vice President for Environment and Industrial Safety, Norilsk Nickel

Dmitry Tetenkin — Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation

Valentin Yambarshev — Head of the Main Department of Natural Resources of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection of the Republic of Belarus

Front row participants:

Svetlana Gerasimova — Head, Project Office “Strategies and Practices of Sustainable Development”

Sergey Davydov — General Director, Good Ecology

Alexander Zhukov — First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation

Roman Kuchin — Rector of Yugra State University

22.05.2025

14:30–16:00

Tavrichesky Palace, Reading Room

Main programme Broadcast

Low-Carbon Solutions for Green Economy Development

State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom, Interparliamentary Assembly of Member Nations of the Commonwealth of Independent States, Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation

The green economy is spurring on major changes in the energy and technological landscape of numerous countries on the path towards a shared ecological future, where people live in harmony with nature. Green solutions are becoming crucial to maintaining a balance between economic growth and taking care of the environment. Clean energy sources, green technologies, efficient waste and water management, electric mobility, green infrastructure for cities, energy efficiency, and resource conservation all contribute to the achievement of sustainable development and national goals. Transitioning to clean energy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions create new economic opportunities for fair international cooperation. Moreover, modern eco-technologies are becoming an indisputable priority for long-term development, regardless of the geography and socioeconomic status of countries. What low-carbon clean energy sources will effectively ensure uninterrupted energy supplies amidst growing demand for electricity and the priorities of the climate agenda? How will the development of green technologies support the priorities of the technological wave of the future in order to solve some of the global problems facing humanity and ensure ecological well-being? What new opportunities for international cooperation will future environmental solutions create for key sectors of the economy?How will state support measures to expand green projects and green financing help to develop the economy of the future?

Moderator:

Elina Tikhonova — Anchor, RBC

Panellists:

Ousmane Abarchi — Minister of Mines of the Republic of the Niger

Mukhtar Babayev — Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Climate Issues

Alexander Dvoinykh — Chairman of the Federation Council Committee of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation on Agricultural and Food Policy and Environmental Management

Alexey Likhachev — Director General, State Atomic Energy Corporation ROSATOM

Sergey Maslyak — Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection of the Republic of Belarus

In-na Nophadol — Professor Senator, Vice-Chairman of the Working Group on Science and Technology of the Inter-Parliamentary Union

Sara Pavkov — Minister of Environmental Protection of the Republic of Serbia

Suparwoto Sugeng — Vice-Chairman of Commission XII House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia

Valery Tanaev — Deputy General Director, Chief Engineer, Russian Railways

22.05.2025

14:30–16:00

Tavrichesky Palace, hall 9

Main programme Broadcast

Women’s Role in Achieving Ecological Well-Being

Council of the Eurasian Women's Forum under the Federation Council, Association of Women in the Nuclear Industry

The trend of conscious consumption, environmental awareness, and a responsible attitude to resources is becoming an integral part of the strategies of major companies, government initiatives, and public movements. Women make an invaluable contribution to the development of environmental awareness by initiating projects that aim to preserve ecosystems, reduce the manmade burden on nature, and promote the principles of sustainable development. Many of the significant environmental changes we see today are largely due to the involvement of women. At the level of families and local communities, they shape the standards of our everyday behaviour by instilling environmental responsibility in society. A poll shows 80 % of Russian women believe that environmental awareness should be included in the educational system. The session will provide a platform to discuss best practices, successful cases, and new opportunities for the development of the green economy. In particular, it will focus on the following questions: which initiatives and projects have already had a major impact on environmental conservation? Which environmental projects are being actively developed in partner countries? How can we find a balance between economic growth and the responsible use of natural resources? Which focus areas require special attention to improve the environmental situation in the country? How can we cultivate a culture of environmental responsibility among the population? How can we get more women involved in decision-making about ecology and sustainable development?

Moderator:

Galina Karelova — Chairperson, Council of the Eurasian Women’s Forum under the Federation Council of the Russian Federation, First Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council Committee of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation on Federal Structure, Regional Policy, Local Self-Government and Northern Affairs

Panellists:

Shina Ansari — Vice President of the Islamic Republic of Iran; Director, Department of Environment of the Islamic Republic of Iran

Beatrice Atim Anywar — State Minister for Environment of the Republic of Uganda

Narnia Bohler-Muller — Executive Director, Developmental, Capable, and Ethical State Research Division, Human Sciences Research Council of South Africa; Climate Scientist

Guzeliya Imaeva — Chief Executive Officer, NAFI Research Centre

Yulia Kalistova — Amur Basin Environmental Prosecutor

Dinara Kemelova — Special Presidential Representative for the Implementation of the Five-Year Action Plan for the Development of the Mountain Regions of Kyrgyzstan

Alexandra Ryabykh — Co-chairman, All-Russian Environmental Public Movement "Ecosystem"

Helina Teklu — Chief Executive Officer, Seed Balls Ethiopia, Climate Change Africa

Tatyana Terentyeva — Deputy Director General for Human Resources, State Atomic Energy Corporation ROSATOM

Anastasia Faterina — Public Figure; Volunteer Group Director, Clean Arctic Public Environmental Project; Director, ‘Skazano–Sdelano’ (‘No Sooner Said Than Done’) Media Project

Le Thu Ha — Deputy chief of the National Assembly's Office

22.05.2025

14:30–16:00

Tavrichesky Palace, Atrium Hall

Broadcast

Meeting of the Commission of the State Council of the Russian Federation on Environmental well-being

22.05.2025

15:45–17:00

Tavrichesky Palace, hall 16

Youth Programme Broadcast

Environmental Education and Volunteering: A Glimpse into the Future

Federal Agency for Youth Affairs, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation, Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, Saint Petersburg, “Ecosystem” Environmental Movement

Environmental volunteering is one of the most popular types of volunteer activities. Not only does it help improve the environment, it also shapes a new model of society based on civic engagement, awareness, and a commitment to responsible thinking. This makes it a crucial element in building a sustainable future. The dialogue session will focus on the multifaceted role of environmental volunteering as a catalyst for positive change. What are some of the most popular types of environmental volunteering? What approaches are most effective in developing environmental awareness in society? How does environmental volunteering influence the development of society as a whole and the personal growth of those directly involved in it?

Moderator:

Andrey Rudnev — Co-chairman, All-Russian environmental movement “Ecosystem”

Panellists:

Svetlana Akulova — General Director, Moscow Zoo

Yulia Alekseeva — Head of Social Development Department, Russian Railways

Anna Alieva-Khrustalyova — Vice President of Foodbank Rus, Co-Founder and Editor-in-Chief of the About Food Sharing media project

Larisa Dal — Director, Educational Activities Department, Russian Society "Znanie"

Anna Zhigulskaya — Head of the Project Office for Internal Communications and Corporate Social Responsibility, Rosatom

Irina Zhuikova — Director of Social Policy Department, Norilsk Nickel

Dmitry Zhuravlev — Executive Director, ESG Directorate, Sberbank

Gulzhamilya Kamarova — Director, International Cooperation Department, National Volunteer Network of the Republic of Kazakhstan

Irina Makanova — Director of the Department of State Policy and Regulation in the Development of Specially Protected Natural Areas, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation

Andrey Matsurov — Deputy Director, Analytical Centre of the Russian Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment

Andrey Nagibin — Chairman of the Board, Executive Director, Green Patrol; Head of the public environmental project "Clean Arctic"

Tatiana Sakharova — Deputy Chairman, Federation Council Committee of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation on Agricultural and Food Policy and Environmental Management

Zlata Chepurnaya — Member, Expert Council, Committee on Youth Policy, State Duma of the Russian Federation; Founder, ‘Star Troopers Team’ Social Project

Front row participants:

Maria Kutsenko — Department Director, ESG Directorate, Sberbank

Natalia Tornkvist — Founder, President, "Revival of Nature" Charitable Foundation

22.05.2025

17:30–18:45

Tavrichesky Palace, hall 16

Youth Programme Broadcast

The Future of Plastic: Balancing Innovation and Environmental Responsibility

Federal Agency for Youth Affairs, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation, Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, Saint Petersburg, “Ecosystem” Environmental Movement

The plastic industry plays a key role in the modern global economy and the development of numerous industries – from medicine and construction to transport and the manufacturing of everyday goods. However, along with the obvious benefits of plastic, it also presents a serious environmental challenge: its resistance to decomposition poses complex questions for society and is forcing us to take a fresh look at how it is produced, used, and disposed of. During the roundtable, industry experts will present solutions that combine technological progress with concern for the environment. Is there an ecological benefit from using plastic products? How can the use of plastic help to achieve ecological well-being? What strategic approaches could ensure that the plastic industry functions effectively, and what impact will they have on the economy?

Moderator:

Andrey Rudnev — Co-chairman, All-Russian environmental movement “Ecosystem”

Panellists:

Anna Alieva-Khrustalyova — Vice President of Foodbank Rus, Co-Founder and Editor-in-Chief of the About Food Sharing media project

Alexey Kokovnik — Founder, Infinity Plastic Project, #recycling_workshop

Sunita Kumari — Assistant Professor, Dept. of Environment Studies Convener - Srishti-Environment Society, Single use Plastic Prohibition Committee and Institutions Innovation Cell at Postgraduate Govt. College for Girls, Sector-42, Chandigarh

Olga Luchina — Managing Director for Sustainable Development, Philip Morris in Russia

Elmira Morozova — Director, Ecology Foundation

Maksim Remchukov — Director for Sustainable Development, SIBUR Holding

Yana Trudkova — Founder, #NeMuzeyMusora network of eco-centres

Sergey Tushev — Co-founder, Sborka Ecocenter

Zlata Chepurnaya — Member, Expert Council, Committee on Youth Policy, State Duma of the Russian Federation; Founder, ‘Star Troopers Team’ Social Project

23.05.2025

10:30–12:00

Tavrichesky Palace, Shatyor restaurant

Main programme Business breakfast

Ecology of Big Cities

Moscow Government, Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, The Roscongress Foundation

An international discussion platform in a business breakfast format with the heads of Russian regions and cities, as well as other countries.
The ecology of big cities is one of the pressing issues of our time. With the growth in urbanization and population sizes, megacities face numerous environmental challenges that require immediate solutions. Life expectancy and quality of life depend on the state of the environment, among other factors. Particular attention should be paid to measures that simultaneously preserve the environment and protect human health.
The business breakfast participants will discuss current solutions for the sustainable environmental development of cities. The session will examine key challenges that big cities face in terms of environmental protection, as well as strategies and technologies that aim to improve the environmental situation.
The discussion will focus on some of the following real cases that large cities face: preserving the urban green and water infrastructure as the basis for a city’s ecological well-being: (development and maintenance of the green infrastructure, specific features of the regulation and monitoring of the water and green infrastructure, ecosystem functions and their consideration in landscaping planning, methodology for analysing the water and green infrastructure),using modern technologies to respond to new urbanization challenges, reducing the carbon load and developing eco-friendly transport, experience of global cities in the development of transport that runs on alternative fuels, ecology and health: from environmental protection to health conservation.
The participants of the discussion will discuss the following questions:
What prospects for environmental development are expected based on real city cases?
Which leadership practices need to be reinforced in urban environmental management?
What innovative technologies exist aimed at preserving and improving human health

Moderators:

Michael Gibson — Presenter of the TV channel "Greater Asia"

Kirill Tokarev — Editor-in-Chief, Anchor, RBC

Panellists:

Mukhtar Babayev — Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Climate Issues

Alexander Beglov — Governor of St. Petersburg

Batyr Berdyklychev — Representative of the World Health Organization (WHO) in the Russian Federation

Evgeny Danchikov — Minister of the Government of Moscow, Head of the Main Control Department of the City of Moscow

Elvira Dovletyarova — Director of Agrarian and Technological Institute, RUDN University

Roman Koltsa — Chairman, Vitebsk Regional Committee on Natural Resources and Environmental Protection

Alexey Likhachev — Director General, State Atomic Energy Corporation ROSATOM

Vladislav Loginov — Mayor of Krasnoyarsk

Natalya Manturova — Head, Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Cosmetology and Cell Technologies, Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University (RNRMU); Chief Temporary Plastic Surgeon, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation

Sergey Naidenko — Director, Institute of Problems of Ecology and Evolution. A.N. Severtsov Russian Academy of Sciences

Gleb Nikitin — Governor of Nizhny Novgorod Region

Shamil Pozdniakov — Director of the Institute for Research of Continental Water Bodies, Russian State Hydrometeorological University

Ekaterina Salugina-Sorokovaya — First Vice President, Gazprombank

Inna Svyatenko — Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation

Orhan Solak — Deputy Director of the Directorate of Climate Change at the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change of the Republic of Türkiye

Quoc Cuong Tran — Member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Secretary of the Party Committee of Dien Bien Province

Andrey Yatskin — First Deputy Speaker, Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation

23.05.2025

10:30–12:00

Tavrichesky Palace, hall 16

Interstate events Broadcast

UNESCO: Preserving and Multiplying World Heritage

Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation

World Heritage Site status provides countries with additional tools for their conservation efforts and access to global experience on how to manage such sites. UNESCO World Heritage Sites are important sites that attract thousands of tourists every year, contributing to the development of ecotourism. What’s more, transboundary cooperation on nature and cultural conservation in specially protected natural areas contributes to the sustainable development of local communities and facilitates cultural exchange. In this context, transboundary sites and UNESCO biosphere reserves initiate and host practical programmes and projects of environmental and humanitarian cooperation. The management of transboundary sites requires a responsible and careful attitude on the part of all countries in whose territory these sites are located, so maintaining the security regime at transboundary sites poses certain challenges in terms of interacting with foreign partners. Representatives of the executive authorities, nature reserves in Russia and other countries, and members of the UNESCO expert community have been invited to discuss: the significance of World Heritage Site status, what it is, and what UNESCO cooperation entails besides prestige and special protection; why it’s important to support collaboration of this kind; how UNESCO contributes to the conservation of biodiversity; and the particular challenges facing transboundary site management and how it’s organized to deal with foreign partners.

Moderator:

Oliver Avramoski — Regional Director, Regional Office for Eastern Europe and Central Asia

Panellists:

Alexander Alimov — Secretary General of the Commission of the Russian Federation for UNESCO

Zeneemyadar Batbayar — Head of National Water Agency of Mongolia

Anastasia Zhdanova — Director of Sustainability Projects, En+ Group

Alexander Zateev — Director, Katunsky State Nature Biosphere Reserve

Anatoly Kalina — Director, Curonian Spit National Park

Irina Makanova — Director of the Department of State Policy and Regulation in the Development of Specially Protected Natural Areas, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation

Sergey Maslyak — Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection of the Republic of Belarus

Dmitry Tetenkin — Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation

Alexey Cherepitsyn — Director, Daursky Nature Reserve

23.05.2025

10:30–12:00

Tavrichesky Palace, Reading Room

Interstate events Broadcast

Prospects for Russian – Central Asian Cooperation in Water Sector and Combatting Water Shortages

Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation

In recent decades, Central Asian countries have faced serious challenges due to water shortages in the region. The economies of these countries depend on water resources from major transboundary rivers, such as the Amu Darya and Syr Darya, which are the main sources of water for economic use, including irrigation, water supply, and power generation. Climate change, including melting glaciers and changes in precipitation patterns, are diminishing the region’s water resources and increasing the risks of droughts and floods. It is crucial to adapt the overall water policy to the new ‘water realities’ and introduce new modern technologies for sustainable water management. Hydropower is a vital part of the economy for several countries in the region, where significant hydro potential allows them to generate electricity for domestic needs and export. However, the further development of the industry requires careful planning in order to minimize the negative impact on water resources. Water conservation technologies need to be introduced and improvements are needed in water monitoring and management systems. This is particularly important in the context of growing water demand and climate change. A key step in addressing the region’s water issues would be to step up the dialogue between countries and international organizations in an effort to find compromises and joint solutions. How can water allocation mechanisms between countries be improved to ensure a balance between irrigation and energy needs? What measures can be taken to adapt to climate change and reduce risks associated with melting glaciers and shifting water flows? What steps are needed to strengthen regional cooperation between countries in transboundary water resources management? How can the introduction of modern technologies and innovations in the water and energy sector be incentivized to improve sustainability and efficiency? What funding mechanisms could be used to implement joint projects in water resources management and hydropower development?

Moderator:

Alexey Bobrovsky — Economic Observer

Panellists:

Aslan Abdraimov — Vice Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation of the Republic of Kazakhstan

Irina Bakhtina — Deputy Director General on sustainable development, En+ Group

Elena Dovlatova — Executive Director, Russian Association of Water Supply and Sewerage

Sodnomsambuu Demberel — President, Mongolian Academy of Sciences

Alexander Kozlov — Minister of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation

Rustam Latifzoda — Chairman of the Committee of the Majlisi namoyandagon of the Majlisi Oli of the Republic of Tajikistan on Agrarian Issues, Land and Water Resources

Alexander Sternik — Director, Third Department of CIS States, Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Isfandier Shukurzoda — First Deputy Chairman, Committee on Environmental Protection, Government of the Republic of Tajikistan

Front row participants:

Mikhail Bolgov — Head of the Surface Water Modeling Laboratory, Doctor of Technical Sciences, Institute of Water Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences

Sergey Zhuravlev — Director, State Hydrological Institute

Batbayar Zeneemyadar — Director General, Water Resources Agency of Mongolia

Dmitriy Kirillov — Head, Federal Agency for Water Resources

Andrey Petrov — Deputy Director, Research Institute of Irrigation and Water Problems, Ministry of Water Resources of the Republic of Uzbekistan

Mikhail Strakhov — Deputy Chairman of the Committee for Nature Management, Environmental Protection and Ecological Safety of St. Petersburg

Anvar Tuychiev — Chairman, Senate Committee on Agriculture, Water Management, and Ecology of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan

23.05.2025

10:30–12:00

Tavrichesky Palace, hall 20

Congress partner events Broadcast

What Business Has to Offer the Ecological Wellbeing National Project

Department of Ecology of PAO Severstal

This session will host a far-reaching discussion of the ways Russian business can contribute to the implementation of the Ecological Wellbeing national project. Participants will consider actual cases, successful projects, and potential areas for business to work with the government on environmental safety and compliance. The main goal of the session will be to establish an effective model for integrating the corporate sector with the government to achieve the national project’s environmental goals.

Moderator:

Olga Kalashnikova — Director of Environmental Management, PAO Severstal

Panellists:

Mikhail Belov — Chief Environmental Office, PAO Severstal

Oleg Volkov — Member of the Expert Council, Federation Council Committee on Agrarian and Food Policy and Environmental Management

Vladimir Lukin — Partner, Operational Risk & Sustainability, Kept

Kirill Medvedev — Chief Expert, SIBUR Recycling and Sustainable Solutions Development Division

Svetlana Sheinfeld — Deputy Director, Kept Taxes and Consulting

23.05.2025

13:00–15:00

Tavrichesky Palace, Duma Hall, plenary session hall

Main programme Broadcast

Plenary Session

Ecology of the New Reality: Challenges and Opportunities