Overview
The conference, held in Yakutia on September 7-9 2011, was dedicated to the socio-economic development of the region and the needed infrastructure investments to make living conditions more comfortable. As the Prime Minister of Yakutia Ms. Danchikova said “The development of the Far East and Arctic zone is a priority for the Russian government. These are promising and attractive regions: with incredibly rich mineral resource basis, new transit corridors under construction, clean and unique natural environment, huge fresh water reserves”. The event was opened by the President Mr. Borisov with participation of the prime minister, her deputies and ministers. There were 375 participants from 12 countries including delegations from China, India, Japan, South Korea, the Chech republic, Poland, England, Sweden, Finland, Canada and representatives of ministries, international organizations and foreign companies.
Sakha Republic (Yakutia) at Wikipedia
To Leave Impossible, To Stay
Anna Georgieva, Sector Leader for the Economically and Socially Sustainable Development Sector of the World Bank, participated in the concluding session chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Mr. Struchkov and curiously titled “To leave impossible to stay” – the question was where to put the punctuation in this title. Participants discussed what needs to be done so people stay in Yakutia and do not leave. “The Republic of Saha is big – the size of India, and wealthy – with an enviable reserve of natural resources. The question is how to make the region more attractive and comfortable for people to live” Ms. Georgieva said. In her presentation Ms. Georgieva started with an explanation of what the Bank is, followed by an illustration of the past, present and future work in Russia as an example of a comprehensive approach to development. Ms. Georgieva outlined the foreseen activities in the Energy Efficiency Project, the successful work on developing Public Private Partnership in St. Petersburg, the global significance of the recently proposed Arctic Environment Improvement Project, and the Early Childhood Education Project under preparation with the Government of Republic Saha Yakutia.
Anna Georgieva
World Bank's Sector Leader
Yakutia is the only region of the Russian Far East where the natural population growth is preserved with birth indicators considerably surpassing the average for Russia. However the conditions of the pre-school system infrastructure require considerable investments. “The project will enable the Republic of Yakutia to develop a system of preschool education based on international best practice and research, and leading Russian experience”, Ms. Georgieva said.
The conference sessions were dedicated to such important topics as energy efficiency, public private partnerships, transport networks and the proposed transcontinental highway Eurasia-America, the socio-economic development of the Arctic zone. The Russian Arctic Zone is viewed as a mineral resource reserve for future generations. Its development requires introduction of new technologies in transport and housing adapted to the extreme weather conditions, the need to preserve the environment and develop an efficient system for environmental monitoring, creating comfortable living conditions and preserving the culture of indigenous populations. The event also highlighted the unique conditions for tourism in the region with the richest mammoth remains in the world and the unparalleled beauty of the Lenskie Stolbu natural park. Participants were able to admire the natural beauty of the region, the preserved national traditions and customs, and artistic talents of Yakutian youth during the sessions held on board the Demian Bednui ship sailing on the Lena river. The conference demonstrated the determination of the Yakutian government to find much needed funding for investments that would help make the region more attractive for living, including through successful cooperation with international financial institutions.
Integrated socio-economic development:
RSS