A
delegation of participants in the Russia—Africa Summit and the Russia—Africa
Economic Forum led by Russian Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Dmitry Kobylkin planted coniferous tree
seedlings at the Southern Cultures Arboretum in Sochi on 23 October and, in
doing so, reached the planned goal of planting 30 million seedlings as part of
the ‘Save the Forest’ national campaign.
The
event was part of an ambitious nationwide reforestation campaign launched by
the Ministry of Natural Resources in September. «It’s very symbolic that we
opened the first international Russia—Africa Summit by planting trees at the
park in Sochi. The campaign will continue for another week and a half, which
means that 30 million will not be the final figure», Kobylkin said.
The
landmark event laid the foundation for the revival of Russian—African relations
and demonstrated that such issues as ecology, conservation, and the restoration
of natural wealth are the same for all countries and peoples. «The problem of
forest conservation and restoration is not only particularly acute in Russia,
but throughout the world. I believe that the successful implementation of our
‘Save the Forest’ project can and should be built upon internationally. I am
passing on the symbolic baton of reforestation to our African friends»,
Kobylkin said.
The
‘Save the Forest’ campaign, which was initiated by the Russian Ministry of
Natural Resources, is being held to support the regions most affected by forest
fires in the summer. To date, more than three million Russians have provided
support for the campaign. The tree planting at Southern Cultures Arboretum was
attended by President of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, Acting President of Mauritius Barlen Vyapoory, President of Ghana Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, and other
official representatives of the delegations of countries participating in the
Forum.
The
Southern Cultures Arboretum is located in Sochi’s Adler District, not far from
Olympic Park, where the events of the Russia—Africa Economic Forum and Summit
are being held. The seedlings were grown in the Arboretum’s greenhouses and are
well adapted to the climatic conditions of the region. They were planted in the
lower part of the complex where coniferous and evergreen trees with massive
crowns are traditionally grown.
Over
time, the fir trees planted by the Summit delegates will harmoniously blend
into the landscape architecture of the Arboretum, which was founded more than
100 years ago.
The
event as part of the ‘Save the Forest’ campaign kicked off the programme of the
Russia—Africa Summit, which is being co-chaired by Russian President Vladimir Putin and President of the
Arab Republic of Egypt and African Union Chairman Abdelfattah Al-Sisi. The Summit will now move on to the business
component, which is devoted to prospects for Russia’s diversified relations
with African countries, and then the first Russia—Africa Economic Forum.
Kobylkin’s
itinerary for today includes participation in the plenary session ‘Russia and
Africa: Uncovering the Potential for Cooperation’, the session ‘Russian—African
Collaboration in the Diamond Industry’, and a series of working meetings with
colleagues and heads of state of African countries.
The Russia—Africa Summit and Economic Forum will
take place on 23–24 October in Sochi at the Sirius Park of Science and
Art. The events are being organized by the Roscongress Foundation, and the
co-organizers of the Russia—Africa Economic Forum are Russian Export Center and
Afreximbank.
