The working group meeting was attended by heads of Russian regions and their deputies who oversee environmental matters, as well as representatives of relevant federal executive bodies, research and expert organisations.
In order to consider regional specifics, the working group set up subgroups to work on the following topics: forming a comprehensive system of solid communal waste disposal in the Russian regions, eliminating any accumulated damage, forming a management system for first and second class hazardous waste, reducing air pollution and creating a monitoring system, improving the quality of drinking water, the environmental remediation of water bodies, implementation of the best available technologies, preserving biological diversity, specially protected natural sites, environmental tourism, and forest regeneration.
The meeting participants noted that the subgroups had carried out a comprehensive analysis to evaluate ways of addressing environmental problems in the Russia’s regions and had prepared proposals on organising the effective joint operation of federal and regional executive bodies, businesses and civic society to improve the quality of the environment in the regions through the implementation of the environmental national projects. The meeting participants made comments and additions to the draft report that will be considered in preparation for the meeting of the State Council Presidium.