OREANDA-NEWS. November 18, 2009. Vladimir Putin's address at the congress:  Mr Shoigu (Sergei Shoigu, president of the Russian Geographical Society), colleagues,

When we speak about Russia, we often automatically say "Great Russia." We speak about Russia's greatness, and this is justified even though we know that the greatness of a state depends on a large number of factors in current situation. In fact, it has always been like this, but this is especially true about the current situation. These factors include political stability, economic competitiveness, the availability of natural resources and many other elements.

However, even a small country can have all of these component factors. It can be stable and competitive. But the scale also comes into play when say "great," "a great power," because a state can be highly effective and have many other positive attributes but still not be a great power if it has no scale, and no influence and importance... And so we should search for other words, other terms to characterise such countries.

I repeat, the scale, the territory, the population, and natural resources are inalienable components of a great power. Had we seen the meaning of this phrase better and not reduced it to a clichй, we would probably have been more careful with what we have inherited from the previous generations of Russians, all citizens of Russia, who lived in this territory and worked hard to accumulate the wealth which we are using now and which we must protect.

The Russian Geographical Society has always served as a connection between society and the state.

The Russian Geographical Society has a long and glorious history.

It played a big part in the development of nearly all industries in Russia as well as in social development and culture.

The Society has written glorious pages in the history of the discovery and development of the northern regions, Siberia, the Far East and Central Asia, which was accomplished with the help of our compatriots - scientists, explorers and trailblazers.

The Russian Geographical Society has always united the most educated and broadest minded people, true patriots who care for their country, for its present and future.

The work of the Society has not stopped even at times of political change and other dramatic events in the 20th century. This is evidence of the everlasting importance of the problems addressed by contemporary geographical science.

The cartographers of the Russian Geographical Society mapped one of the legends in human history, the Road of Life, which crossed Lake Ladoga during the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945. It actually saved Leningrad blockaded by the invaders, and helped it to survive and to emerge victorious.

I was born in Leningrad, so I understand the importance of that military and scientific feat very well. Its value lies in the hundreds of thousands of lives it had saved. It helped the city to survive the siege and subsequently to make its big contribution to the common victory over Nazi Germany.

The founding fathers of the Society aimed at attracting Russia's best minds to studying "the homeland and people living in it." And this goal will never lose its importance.

The Russian Geographical Society has the means to become a venue of dialogue between society and the state, to facilitate the unification of different professionals and ordinary people who love their country.

Geography is a science studying the Earth and interaction between Man and Nature. It has accumulated a huge amount of knowledge, which we must use for addressing contemporary tasks, first of all an effective and rational use of natural resources, transport infrastructure planning, and environmental issues.

The Society can also give substantial practical assistance to comprehensive development of East Siberia and the Far East, Yamal and the north of the Krasnoyarsk Territory, and take an active part in the exploration of the Arctic and the Antarctic, and provide environmental support to the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi.

Russia has a huge natural potential, and this unconditional wealth puts special responsibility on us for preserving the ecological balance on the planet.

We have made the first steps to the so-called green economy and sustained development. We have formulated strict energy efficiency guidelines. The government's development guidelines until 2012 and for the period until 2020 stipulate a series of nature protection and other environmental initiatives. Our goal is to fight pollution, rehabilitate land, and protect water and forest resources.

This is a long road, but we are not travelling it alone but with other countries.

We intend to continue to contribute to the international efforts for resolving climate problems and other global environmental projects.

You can do much to teach the younger generation to protect and respect Nature and Russia's cultural and historical heritage. The experience and knowledge of geographers can be used to draft educational programmes and to help youth associations.

Another important goal is the development of tourism. Russia can use its natural, ethnic and cultural diversity to attain it.

We must use available opportunities to organise recreation and leisure both for Russians and for foreign guests. The tourist market is measured in billions of dollars, and we should ensure that it works to capacity in our country.

The essence of the Russian Geographical Society implies openness and accessibility. To attain the above goals, we could set up a media council at the Society.

The creation of a powerful information and education agency at the Russian Geographical Society will help to involve in its work very many people, facilitate the development and promotion of the geographic science, scientific research and ecological tourism, and bolster the development of the nation's environmental mentality.

Russian historian Vasily Klyuchevsky once said: "Science is not only knowledge but also consciousness, that is, a skill of making proper use of knowledge."

I am confident that the Russian Geographical Society will continue to serve the interests of Russia.

I wish you success and thank you for the offer to chair the Council of Trustees. I will do my best to help you in your work.