Belarus, Russia hold regional conference on environmental safety

"Environment is a common topic for us. We will discuss the issues that need to be resolved, including at the international level," said Aleksandr Korbut, First Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection of Belarus. "Today, first of all, we want to discuss environmental issues related to the rational use of natural resources, climate change." 

The conference brought together about 30 specialists from Belarus and Russia. These are scientists, environmentalists, housing and utilities professionals. One of the key topics is the processing of waste and its re-use. Belarus has accumulated considerable experience in this area. "We recycle about 80-90% of industrial waste, excluding large-tonnage waste. We have created a certain system to involve in economic circulation the industrial wastes that can be recycled," Aleksandr Korbut noted. The program also includes a visit to the Brest waste processing plant and an enterprise manufacturing equipment for sorting and processing secondary waste.

Separately, experts will dwell on the topic of eco-tourism. Russia is interested in the experience of developing the specially protected natural areas and making them more attractive. The day before, the delegation of Nizhny Novgorod Oblast visited the Belovezhskaya Pushcha National Park. "We got acquainted with how the work is organized. This is important and very interesting for us. We are also working on our regional programs. I think that the experience that Belovezhskaya Pushcha has accumulated in this field will be useful for us. We have recently created a large, interesting specially protected area by decision of the government of the Russian Federation. We are at the beginning of the journey, there is a lot to be done. Of course, we were interested in details, and we will study the experience of the famous Belovezhskaya Pushcha," explained Evgeny Lyulin, Chairman of the Legislative Assembly of Nizhny Novgorod Oblast. 

The forum will not ignore the issues of climate change. "Under the influence of active human economic activity, the climate is changing, is warming. We see that, unfortunately, especially the Polesie regions of our country regularly face drought. The president spoke about this during his visit to Pinsk District. This is also one of the promising areas on which we will work together," said Igor Brilevich, Chairman of the Brest Regional Council of Deputies, member of the Council of the Republic.

The delegation of Nizhny Novgorod Oblast is on a three-day visit to Brest Oblast.