The meeting took place at the National Library of Russia in St Petersburg, during the 29th St Petersburg International Economic Forum, and was chaired by Chairman of the Commission, Governor of the city of federal importance Sevastopol Mikhail Razvozhayev.
The discussion focused on the preservation of cultural heritage sites and their integration into economic activity, including a review of successful regional practices in this field.
The meeting was attended by Governor of the Jewish Autonomous Region Maria Kostyuk, as well as representatives of the Presidential Directorate for the Formation and Activities of the State Council, federal and regional government bodies, development institutions, and business associations.
Mikhail Razvozhaev noted the effectiveness of measures introduced by the Ministry of Culture to simplify procedures for carrying out work on sites commemorating the events of the Great Patriotic War. He noted that, more than 150 monuments in Sevastopol alone have been restored thanks to these decisions.
General Director of the National Library of Russia Denis Tsypkin spoke about the library’s historical mission as the nation’s principal repository of memory for more than two centuries.
Director of the DOM.RF Division for State Programmes in the Housing Sector Vitaly Nasonov reported on the implementation of the Heritage.DOM.RF digital platform: an online database of investment opportunities for the restoration of historic buildings. The platform currently contains information on more than 2,100 cultural heritage sites, including their history, technical condition reports, and supporting documentation.
Chairman of the St Petersburg Government Committee for State Control, Use, and Protection of Historical and Cultural Monuments Alexei Mikhailov shared the city’s experience in integrating cultural heritage sites into economic circulation.
Vice President of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (RSPP) Viktor Cherepov spoke about the role of the business community in preserving cultural heritage sites.
Member of the Delovaya Rossiya General Council Dmitry Panov outlined incentive measures aimed at attracting investors with a view to drawing cultural heritage sites into economic circulation.
The meeting participants also discussed legislative improvements designed to shorten the investment and construction cycle and streamline procedures related to the preservation of cultural heritage sites. Particular focus was placed on the development of secondary vocational education programmes for training restoration specialists.