First World Congress on Ecosystem and Cultural Landscape Management to be held in Kazan in 2015

On May 14 Tatarstan State Counselor Mintimer Shaimiev met with Chairman of the Commission on Ecosystem Management of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature Piet Wit and professor of Estonian University of social studies Kalev Sepp.

In October 2012 Kalev Sepp visited Kazan as the expert of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, the UNESCO consulting organisation. The visit was connected with work on inclusion of Bolgar and Sviyazhsk in UNESCO World Heritage List.

At first guests shared their impressions about Tatarstan sights – Sviyazhsk, Raifa Monastery, Volga-Kama state nature biosphere reserve, the Kazan Kremlin.

Mintimer Shaimiev reminded that during the last visit Kalev Sepp offered to discuss the issue of holding World Congress under the auspices of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature in Kazan. Tatarstan Government and President Rustam Minnikhanov supported the idea.

Mintimer Shaimiev believes that the World Congress dedicated to preservation of ecosystems and unique cultural landscapes will promote more careful attitude to nature.

Piet Wit told participants of the meeting about activity of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and the Commission on Ecosystem Management. He stressed that Russian and Tatarstan rich experience in the sphere of conservation and rational use of natural and cultural heritage will be interesting for participants of the congress.

On May 15 representatives of the Commission will discuss organisation of the congress with Tatarstan Prime Minister Ildar Khalikov.