1 November 2024
Adviser to the President of the
Russian Federation Anton Kobyakov met with Sakhalin Governor Valery Limarenko
in Moscow to discuss long-term cooperation between the Roscongress Foundation
and Sakhalin Region on the development of forum and exhibition activities until
2035.
The strategic partnership will
require mechanisms for promoting Sakhalin’s investment potential and
environmental, climate, energy, and technology projects in the region. Joint
efforts will focus on organizing national and international forums and
exhibitions in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk at Sakhalin-Tech Technopark and Pushisty Drone
Port to be managed by the Roscongress Foundation. Plans to sign a Long-Term
Cooperation Agreement are in the works.
“Russia places strategic importance
in developing and strengthening the Far East. As the world order changes and
the centre of global business activity shifts to the Asia-Pacific region, the
Far East gains in importance for the Russian economy and solidifies its global position.
There is enormous potential for new projects and new industries in the region
and no limit to possibilities for international cooperation. New approaches and
combined efforts are required to realize this potential. I believe the
Roscongress Foundation has the expertise and Sakhalin Region the potential to
create opportunities for investment that will attract partners to contribute to
its development,” Adviser
to the President of the Russian Federation Anton Kobyakov said.
Meeting discussions focused first on
the programme of offsite events for the Eastern Economic Forum (EEF), indeed, an
agreement to cooperate was first reached between the Roscongress Foundation and
Sakhalin on the sidelines of the EEF in September 2024.
Sakhalin Region is important to the
Far East, has great potential, and must transition from an overdependence on
resources to a model of increased self-development. The transition will depend
on programmes to improve investment attractiveness and quality of life. One such
ambitious project is the New City, dedicated to sustainable development, digitalization,
and environmental responsibility, with a master plan calling for the creation
of cultural, business, research, and production spaces, including buildings for
congress and exhibition events.
“The construction of a modern 20,000-square-meter
EXPO centre and cooperation with the Roscongress Foundation will equip us to
hold top-notch international events, and the city’s unique infrastructure is
already creating opportunities for programmes related to the development of
unmanned aviation and energy. I have no doubt that our work together will
create a professional platform that attracts investment to the region and shows
to the world the full potential of Sakhalin Region to develop advanced
technologies and skillfully balance nature preservation and human activity,” Sakhalin Governor Valery Limarenko
said.
Discussion also focused on the
‘BRICS Sustainable Development: Environment and Climate’ International Forum
slated to take place in May 2025 with the participation of representatives of
BRICS and its partners. The event will focus on environmental and climate
issues and how to achieve carbon neutrality. The Forum will be a place to come
and discuss environmental issues, share experience, and develop joint projects
to combat climate change. The choice of region to host the Forum was no
accident with its proximity to the Asia-Pacific region and ambitious carbon
neutral goals for the end of 2025 creating unique conditions for programmes
balancing the environment and energy industry.
The Far Eastern Energy Forum, also
scheduled for next year, is a platform for discussing issues of regional development
and establishing a Russian energy security outpost. Sakhalin is an essential
Russian producer and processer of hydrocarbons and is actively introducing new forms
of energy.
The Far East is becoming a centre
for the development of unmanned systems and technologies. Unmanned systems are
an efficient, cost-effective solution for logistics and monitoring vast expanses,
complex infrastructure, and the development of extractive industries. As meeting
participants noted, the necessary prerequisites are all there for international
cooperation and an exchange of experience at the International ‘Unmanned
Systems’ Forum and Exhibition. Sakhalin’s Pushisty Drone Port has been
earmarked as a place for experts to meet with the authorities and
representatives of business.
Meeting participants decided the
best way to coordinate cooperation under the agreements would be to establish
an Organizing Committee under the leadership of Sakhalin Governor Valery
Limarenko and a permanent joint Sakhalin Government and Roscongress Foundation
working group under the leadership of Sakhalin Region Government Chairman
Alexey Belik and First Deputy CEO of the Roscongress Foundation and EEF Director
Igor Pavlov.
An important component of
cooperation will include a briefing by Sakhalin Governor Valery Limarenko on
infrastructure projects for territorial development on the sidelines of EEF 2025,
where the results of work accomplished can be considered with a place for further
discussion. The Governor’s participation in the Governors’ Club and Lounge at
Roscongress Foundation events throughout the year will strengthen cooperation
with other regions and create additional opportunities to share experience
solving urgent problems.
