The message reads, in part:
“In the past years the Fund has made great progress in its multifaceted activities. It has implemented a number of serious programmes to protect the environment and preserve biodiversity. You are responsible for such significant projects as the restoration of the European bison, protection of the snow leopard from poaching and the conservation of the Amur tiger. I would like to give special mention to your initiative to restore the leopard population to the Caucasus, which was a crucial part and a true adornment of the nature preservation component during our preparations for the Olympic Games. It is vitally important that you are doing so much to preserve the unique nature of the Arctic region, closely cooperating in this work with the Russian Geographical Society.
Your organisation’s active civic stance deserves special acknowledgement. The WWF was the first to use the Internet to promote a public legislative initiative. Thanks to this effort, Russia now has a law On the Protection of Seas from Oil Pollution. In addition, with your participation we developed laws that introduce greater liability for the capture and sale of animals that are listed in the Red Book of endangered species.”