Mr Medvedev said in particular in his message:
“Your agenda covers a number of important issues that affect us all. The health, life and the very future of millions of people depend on clean air, water and soil. It is very important that productive cooperation in resolving global environmental problems is not just a good tradition for Russian and foreign ecologists but has also become a sign of our times.
Effective management of natural resources is one of the foundations of sustainable development for all countries today. Resource conservation and the development of an international environmental safety system are issues that have come to the fore today and are growing in importance all the time. The Nevsky Ecology Congress provides a good opportunity for scientists, experts and public activists to exchange positive experience and discuss significant civic initiatives.
I am sure that your ideas and recommendations will help to broaden the international dialogue between ecologists and give new impetus to the successful implementation of strategies and programmes aimed to looking after our planet’s priceless riches”.
The congress is taking place in St Petersburg on the initiative of the Commonwealth of Independent States’ Inter-Parliamentary Assembly and is being attended by more than 700 delegates from 18 different countries.