Russia, as one of the major players in the international energy markets, fully supports the efforts of the global community to combat climate change, protect the environment and implement environmental management. In this regard, in 2016, Russia signed the Paris Agreement and in 2019 adopted it. Moreover, in order to implement the Paris Agreement, in November 2020, the President of the Russian Federation signed a Decree on the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in our country.

Distinguished participants of the 78th session of the UNECE Committee on Forest and Forest Industry, Dear guests, Ladies and gentlemen, It is my pleasure and honor to take part in the virtual launch of the exhibition “Forest biodiversity: too precious to lose”, organized by the UNECE Secretariat in cooperation with the Russian Geographical Society and with the support of the Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation in Geneva. Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic most of the delegates cannot visit the Palais de Nations in Geneva and enjoy the unique photographs of the Russian wild nature in person. But every cloud has its silver lining. The modern technologies allow us not only to see the exhibition but share this experience with all visitors of the UNECE website.

1. Asian big cats Recognizing the disturbing decline of wild tiger numbers, Russia hosted the St Petersburg Tiger Summit in 2010 where 13 tiger range States collectively agree to double the number of tigers in the wild. This is an ambitious, yet achievable target. The Russian Federation reaffirms its commitment towards the conservation of tigers and other Asian big cats in the wild.