North Caucasus Institute of Mining and Metallurgy
(State Technological University)
Meeting of the working group
With participation of UNESCO experts studying the possibility of granting the status of a Category 2 Centre under UNESCO’s auspices to the International Innovation scientific-technological Center “Sustainable Development of Mountainous Regions”
June 17, 2009 Vladikavkaz
Introductory word
Of the Deputy of Chairman of the Government of the Republic North Ossetia – Alania
Serguey Tabolov
Dear participants of the meeting,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
In the first place let me welcome UNESCO experts, who have come to Vladikavkaz to study the possibility of granting the “Centre for Sustainable Development of Mountainous Regions” the status of a Category 2 Centre under UNESCO’s auspices:
Mr. Thomas Schaaf - Chief of UNESCO’s Division of Ecological and Earth Sciences
Ms. Maria Prchalova – Programme specialist at the UNESCO – Moscow office
Prof. Yuri Badenkov – Senior scientific specialist of the Institute of Geography of Russian Science Academy, Chief of mountain group programme “Humans and Biosphere”.
With a great satisfaction I talk of the participation of the Heads of the bodies of executive authority of the Republic North Ossetia – Alania, federal territorial executive bodies, Chiefs and scientists – specialists of leading scientific institutions and higher educational institutions of the Republic North Ossetia – Alania at our meeting.
Ladies and Gentlemen!
As you know, February 9, 2005 International Workshops to explore the potential establishment of a “Centre for Sustainable Development of Mountainous Regions’ at Vladikavkas, The Republic North Ossetia – Alania took place both in Vladikavkaz and Paris.
Workshops have come to be the result of collaboration of Permanent Delegation of Russian Federation to UNESCO, The Government of the Republic North Ossetia – Alania and UNESCO administration, executing the communiqué between RNO – Alania and UNESCO which was signed during the official visit of the Director-General of UNESCO Mr. Koitiro Matsuura to Vladikavkaz on June 2, 2003.
The second seminar adopted a resolution, supported by the official statement of the Academies of Sciences of Russia, Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia concerning the necessity of Center’s establishment.
The approval by the scientific community of Russia and other countries concerned has allowed the authorities of the Republic of North Ossetia – Alania to submit to the Government of the Russian Federation the proposal to provide support for this project.
The Government of the Russian Federation supported the initiative of the workshops. The International Innovation scientific-technological Centre “Sustainable Development of Mountainous Regions” was established in accordance with the legal decision #25 of the Government of the Russian Federation adopted on 28 June 2007 and in conformity with the decision #7 adopted on 26 March 2007 by the Scientific Council of the North Caucasus Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (State Technological University).
The next step in realization of the project is the granting the Centre a Category 2 Centre under UNESCO’s auspices status.
For the purposes of this aim at the request of the Head of the Republic North Ossetia – Alania Mr. T. Mamsurov and under the commission of the Director-General of UNESCO Mr. Koitiro Matsuura a group of UNESCO secretariat staff members and representatives of UNESCO bureau in Moscow led by Mr. Thomas Schaaf - chairman of UNESCO’s Division of Ecological and Earth Sciences has arrived at Vladikavkaz. The aim of the visit is the feasibility study of creation of a Category 2 Centre under UNESCO’s auspices.
I’d like to note with satisfaction, that the Centre had a good start from the moment of foundation. A number of fundamental researches were carried out in the basic spheres of activity by the Centre itself and with the help of partners and other divisions of the University. Also the annual plans receive their successful realization.
Dear Colleagues!
On behalf of the Administration of the Republic North Ossetia – Alania I confirm our interest in the successful work of the Centre and readiness of the Government of the Republic North Ossetia – Alania to further wholly support its development.
I wish the authoritative group of UNESCO’s experts fruitful work in collaboration with our specialists.
Thanks for your attention.