The VIIIth Nevsky International Ecological Congress

11.04.2017 The Interparliamentary Assembly of Member Nations of the Commonwealth of Independent States (IPA CIS), The Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation  are  co-organizing  the VIIIth Nevsky International Ecological Congress  on topical issue “Environmental Education – A Clean Country” ; it will took place in the Tavrichesky Palace, St. Petersburg. The Congress will address the issues of environmentally responsible behavior, “green economy” development, sustainable practices of production and consumption, and healthy lifestyles.

The Organizing Committee of the Congress is chaired by Mrs. Valentina Matvienko, Chairperson of the IPA CIS Council, Chairwoman of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation.
The platform of this Congress is recognized as an effective instrument for consideration pressing issues of environmental protection and management, and strengthening inter-parliamentary cooperation in harmonization of environmental laws.

The fundamental purpose of the VIIIth Nevsky International Ecological Congress is to launch a broad discussion and facilitate communication of information and best practices in the field of building a framework of environmental education as a safeguard of environmental security, protection of public health, implementation of winning strategies and policies on the improvement of waste management systems, and introduction of best available technologies.
According to the Decrees of the President of the Russian Federation, the year 2017 is declared the Year of Ecology and the Year of Protected Natural Conservation Areas in Russia, therefore, the program of the Congress will particularly focus on improving legislation for developing a system of protected natural conservation areas and maintaining biodiversity.

The substantive business program of the Congress will feature a plenary session and thematic round-tables: “Building a system of protected natural conservation areas as an efficient tool for preserving and development of biodiversity”; “Modern framework of environmental education: challenges and areas for development”; “Favourable  environmental conditions  as a safeguard for the protection of people's health”; “Improvement of complex waste treatment system: open dialogue between businesses and government”; “Ural: ecology and innovations”; “Harmonization of international approaches to introduction of best available technologies”; “Current Challenges and a Possible Future of the Aral Sea”. The round-tables will involve  discussions on the most significant environmental aspects by leaders of legislative and executive authorities, representatives of international organizations, and the business community, educational and research institutions, the media, NGOs from across the Commonwealth of Independent States and beyond.

As an outcome of the discussions, some proposals will be drafted with a view to improve legislation aimed at further promotion of environmental education, enhancing of inter-regional and cross-border cooperation in the CIS space, introduction of environmentally friendly and resource-saving technologies, ensuring a healthy environment, and raising living standards.

The VIIIth Congress will also include  events on restoration of the deleted trees in the gardens and parks in the Tavrichesky Palace of St. Petersburg. Such events have become good tradition for the longstanding period of Congress. The members of organizational committee of the Congress, members of parliaments delegations  from the Commonwealth of Independent States and foreign guests.

The Congress will also feature various thematic events and guided tours to protected natural conservation areas. The participants will be able make their  input to the restoration of the lost trees in the gardens and parks of St. Petersburg.