June 24, 2013
Delegation of the Ministry of Natural Resources of the Russian Federation participates in the 37th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee (WHC), currently held in the city of Phnom Penh (Kingdom of Cambodia). As part of the WHC work on June 18-19, 2013 there was the discussion held regarding the state of preservation of five Russian natural properties, included into the World Heritage List of UNESCO: "Western Caucasus", "Lake Baikal", "Virgin Komi Forests," "Golden Mountains of Altai" and "Kamchatka Volcanoes". The decisions adopted by WHC of UNESCO in terms of these issues demonstrate the real state of affairs with Russian natural objects. Russia's efforts to fulfill the obligations arising from UNESCO Convention and the previous decisions of the World Heritage Committee sessions have been generally assessed as positive.
Besides, the intentions of the Russian Federation regarding the preparation of proposals for boundaries correction of the objects of the World Heritage "Western Caucasus" and “Virgin Komi Forests" were supported in accordance with the new nominations format prescribed by UNESCO. These decisions of the 37th session are also important in the context of the prospects for socio-economic development of the North Caucasus and the Republic of Komi.
Member countries of UNESCO World Heritage Committee have noted with satisfaction the progress made in the preservation of Lake Baikal. This was stimulated by the Statements made by the Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Dmitry Medvedev on closing of OJSC "Baikal Pulp and Paper Mill", made on June 18, 2013, as well as the prohibition acting in the Russian regarding the development of new mineral deposits within the boundaries of Central Ecological Zone of Baikal natural territory.
According to the Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation Rinat Gizatulin particular importance is attributed by the fact that the examination of all the issues on the Russian objects included into the World Heritage List, was held in form of the discussions with representatives of the World Heritage Centre of UNESCO and experts from the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN).
The Deputy Minister also noted the constructive cooperation between the Russian Federation, the UNESCO World Heritage Centre and IUCN, and expressed his appreciation for the sincere and substantive interest demonstrated by partners from Germany, Switzerland, India, Serbia, South Africa, Namibia and other countries in the preservation of the unique natural heritage of Russia.
Source: http://www.mnr.gov.ru/news/detail.php?ID=131013