Side-event of the UNA-Russia "Russian regions and businesses: Reinforcing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in times of multiple crises – The effective delivery of sustainable, resilient and innovative solutions"
On 13 March 2024, as part of the Regional Forum on Sustainable Development 2024 under the auspices of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), the United Nations Association of Russia event "Russian regions and businesses: Reinforcing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in times of multiple crises - The effective delivery of sustainable, resilient and innovative solutions" was held. The event was supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, the Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation to the UN Office and other international organizations in Geneva, the UN Information Centre in Moscow and MGIMO University.
Mr. Sergey Vasiliev, Deputy Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the UN Office and other international organizations in Geneva, welcomed the participants of the event. Mr. Vasiliev emphasized: "Despite crises and unfavourable trends in international relations, our country has made significant progress in addressing pressing socio-economic and environmental challenges. The progress achieved is directly related to the activities of regional authorities to reduce inequality, protect the environment, develop infrastructure, and improve the quality of life of citizens. The COVID-19 pandemic has confirmed that regional authorities play a key role in making important decisions in emergency circumstances". Mr. Vladimir Kuznetsov, Director of the UN Information Centre in Moscow, also made welcoming remarks. Mr. Kuznetsov noted: "At the midpoint of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the world continues to face devastating shocks, including a rapidly intensifying climate crisis and escalating conflicts. The acute and urgent need to achieve sustainable development highlights that strong global co-operation is required now more than ever."
The event was moderated by Mr. Alexei Borisov, Secretary-General of the United Nations Association of Russia, Vice-President of the World Federation of United Nations Associations, Head of the UNESCO Chair. In his opening remarks, Mr. Borisov thanked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia, the Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation to the UN Office and other international organizations in Geneva and the UN Information Centre in Moscow for the support and the opportunity to hold the event on the sidelines of the Regional Forum on Sustainable Development 2024. Mr. Borisov noted: "Discussion of innovative solutions and best practices from other regions will allow us to further develop effective strategies and technologies to achieve our goals. It is important to maintain this dialogue and continue sharing experience to create a more sustainable and innovative future for all".
The event explored significant innovative and crisis-resilient policies and solutions to accelerate efforts to eliminate poverty, promote peace and justice, develop partnerships to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and address climate change.
Representatives of Russia's regions - Moscow, Sverdlovsk Region and the Republic of Tatarstan - shared their achievements in the framework of Agenda 2030 and spoke in detail about the projects being implemented. The reports were presented by: Ms. Lyudmila Berg, Deputy Minister of International and External Economic Relations of the Sverdlovsk Region; Ms. Zoya Viktorova, Deputy Head of the Department of Economic Policy and Development of Moscow; Ms. Tatiana Naumova, Head of the Office of Official Events and Protocol of the Department of External Economic and International Relations of Moscow; Ms. Marina Epifantseva, Deputy Head of the Investment Development Agency of the Republic of Tatarstan.
Presentations were also made by representatives of business, international and intergovernmental organizations, and civil society: Mr. Andrey Sharonov, Director General of the National Alliance for Social and Environmental Responsibility, Corporate Governance and Sustainable Development; Ms. Natalia Dorpeko, Executive Director of the UN Global Compact National Network in Russia; Mr. Igor Kanyukov, Attache of the Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation to the UN Office and other international organizations in Geneva.
The event was attended by representatives of Russian companies, including PJSC “LUKOIL”.
14.03.2024
