OREANDA-NEWS. May 15, 2009. The President’s message said, in particular:

“Your congress is once again meeting in St Petersburg, Russia’s northern capital, and bringing together prominent environmental protection experts, scientists, politicians and public figures. Your agenda includes such relevant subjects as natural resource management, developing environmental legislation, preventing man-made disasters and dealing with their consequences.

It is our common task today to bring industrial production into line with modern environmental standards, reduce peoples’ negative impact on nature, and promote the conservation of our planet’s flora and fauna.

I hope that the congress’ proposals and recommendations will help national environmental agencies to work more effectively and make an important contribution to strengthening global environmental security and preserving the health of millions of people.” 

The congress is taking place in St Petersburg at the initiative of the CIS Inter-parliamentary Assembly, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, and the Russian Federation Council (upper house of Russia’s parliament).

The Nevsky International Ecological Congress took place for the first time in December 2008.