Events

Russian and Mongolian language versions of “Baikal without boundaries” HD films were televised by number of TV channels. TV channel “MIR Buryatia” in Russia and Soyon Gegeeruulegch TV in Mongolia have already broadcasted this film. Moreover, negotiations are in progress regarding the film translations on another TV channels:

The field trip over protected areas in Kabansky, Barguzinsky districts and cattle mortuaries constructed in Kurumkansky district (Buryatia) was organized by PMU team for international expert-evaluator during mid-term evaluation of the project.

Second Workshop: River Basin Commissions and other Joint Bodies: Technical Aspects was held 9-10 April 2014 and focused on specific areas and technical aspects of cooperation in the framework of joint bodies, such as preservation and restoration of ecosystems, water infrastructure, etc. Topics for the Second Workshop were developed taking into account the recommendations of participants made during the First Workshop.

On 20^th of March, a meeting with students and readers of Russian State Library was held with support of Informational UN Centre. The meeting was devoted to International Water Day.

Alexander Shekhovtsov, National Technical Director of UNDP/GEF Project, opened a discussion of experts. He told, that, UNDP/GEF project started in 2011 to study these areas. Rivers and streams that flow into lake Baikal, located in Irkutsk region, Buryatia, and they are quite dirty. Another problem - the Selenga River, the largest tributary of Lake Baikal, which originates in Mongolia. It is planned to build several power plants that may affect the lake. Currently The Project is working together with scientists from Russia, Mongolia and UN staff to monitor the status of Lake Baikal.

The film “Baikal without boundaries” was demonstrated to the readers and guests.

Source (text and photo):  http://www.rsl.ru/ru/s7/s409/2014/voda

The Documentary "Baikal without boundaries" was presented to the project stakeholders in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

To provide a successful implementation of intercalibration procedures in the framework of RFQ_EMO_2013-038 «Intercalibration of analytical procedures for analytes, included into harmonized program of hydrochemical monitoring for Selenga river basin (Mongolia)» and in accordance with a decision of the Project Steering Committee, new ion chromatograph was procured and installed in Central Laboratory of Environment and Metrology (CLEM), Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. This new modern equipment allows to determine low concentration of some anions (and optionally, cations) in water samples, so now CLEM has enhanced its analytical capabilities in order to make a cooperative actions together with Mongolian and Russian analytical institutions.

UNEP/IW:LEARN ICT Workshop on Spatial Data Management was attended by Project Manager, Sergey Kudelya to improve interaction between IWLEARN Geonode system and Baikal Informational Center Webportal.

Co-organized by the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank, the workshop aimed to help projects and their partners communicate spatial data using maps by providing an in-depth understanding and transferring and enhancing the skills needed for spatial data management using best practices and standards. The workshop evolved mainly on the use of GeoNode platform, which is an open source, online collaborative platform that enables the managing, sharing and increased use of geospatial data, and which can aid decision-making processes for the management of marine and freshwater ecosystems and resources.

http://geonode.org/

Baikal Informational Center (BIC) Workshop was held in Ulan-Ude, Buryatia. Representatives of "Orkhon Golyn Sav Gazryn" organization and Baikal Institute of Nature Management (BINM), which both were contracted as the executors of BIC maintenance service met each other in BINM Laboratory of Geoinformational systems. They agreed the structure of BIC and discussed many work issues to continue cooperation.

10 events and services were supported by the project during the year of tourism. There are participation in EUROPARK conference, “Baikal without boundaries” documentary preparation, development of touristic plans compatible with biodiversity were developed.

Congress is the biggest event of the Year of Environmental Protection, which is being held in Russia. Among the participants - representatives of government, business, scientific and educational organizations, experts and social activists.

Economic Forum of the UN Special Programme for the Economies of Central Asia (SPECA) "Comprehensive and sustainable development through regional cooperation" and the Eighth session Governing Council was held on 19-22 November 2013 in Almaty, Kazakhstan. It was attended by representatives of the governments of Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan, as well as a number of intergovernmental organizations and financial institutions active in Central Asia.

On 28 October, 2013 the Russian delegation headed by the Chairman of the Commission, Deputy Head of the Rosprirodnadzor, Amirhan Amirhanov, Mongolian - Chairman of the Committee, the Vice Minister of the Environment and Green Development of Mongolia Tulga Buyaa.

The 7th GEF Biennial International Waters Conference (IWC7), as with prior IW Conferences, will be a signature learning event for the GEF IW focal area. The GEF IW Conference objectives are to facilitate cross-sectoral and portfolio-wide learning and experience sharing. It strives to solicit advice from the existing GEF IW portfolio on burning issues, and to assist in building participant capacity in key management and technical areas. Participants sum up progress achieved and also look to the future of programming within and beyond the GEF IW focal area. The IWC7 theme is “Economic Valuation as a Tool to Bridge the Science-Policy Gap”. The IWC7’s objective is to facilitate experience sharing across the GEF International Waters portfolio, with a special emphasis on reviewing the economic valuation of international waters and the links between economic valuation and science, as well as mechanisms for linking both to policymaking.

EUROPARC Annual Conference 2013 will be hosted by the Hortobágy National Park and will take place in Debrecen, Hungary and the Hortobágy National Park from October 9 - 13, 2013.

At the 2013 Annual conference, participants from across Europe will not only celebrate the “40 years Working for Nature” but also look into the future of protected areas management in a more and more uniting Europe. Programmes such as the cross-border PA management of TransParkNet, the environmental youth education via the Junior Ranger programme and camps, the Volunteer Management in Protected Areas as much as the growing network of the parks working under the Charter for Sustainable Tourism in Protected Areas, are outstanding achievements building the very base for EUROPARC members´ activities.

At the 2013 conference, a special focus will be given on integrated management of protected areas and experts from this field will share their experiences in workshops, on field trips and in presentations.

Check EUROPARC´s Facebook and Twitter @EUROPARC as well as this website for regular updates!

The Baikal Project participates in the GEF IW:Learn Web Award competition.

All voting forms will go live at exactly 03 October 2013, 19-00 PM Indochina Time (Thailand) tomorrow and will automatically close for everyone on 21 October 2013.

Please, vote for the Lake Baikal Project http://iwlearn.net/wow2013-baikal

"Baikal Dialogue" Forum will be held in Buryatia, 22 August, 2013. This forum is dedicated to the problems of Baikal natural territory. The forum is organized by State Duma Committee on Natural Resources, Environment and Ecology; parliamentary group "Baikal"; the Government and National Khural of the republic of Buryatia; the Fund for Protection of Lake Baikal.The forum purpose is to create a permanent inter-regional discussion platform on a regular basis for the development and preparation of proposals for the preservation of Lake Baikal and sustainable development of the Baikal region.

UNDP-GEF “Integrated Natural Resource Management in the Baikal Basin Transboundary Ecosystem” Project Manager Sergey Kudelya will present the current status and options for enhancing the legal and institutional frameworks of cooperation in the protection and sustainable management of transboundary waters between the Russian Federation and Mongolia.

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The General Assembly welcomed the offer of the Government of Tajikistan to host in August 2013 in Dushanbe the high-level international conference on water cooperation in its resolution A/RES/67/204 on the "Implementation of the International Year of Water Cooperation, 2013". The Dushanbe conference constitutes one of the milestones of the International Year of Water Cooperation.

The conference will build on and pursue the deliberations of the High-level Dialogue in New York and the High Level Forum in The Hague on World Water Day, 22 March 2013, as well as other international and regional events on water cooperation.
It will contribute to achieving the objectives of the International Year of Water Cooperation, in particular:

• mobilize stronger political commitment and actions towards the implementation of international agreements;
• undertake more far-reaching public awareness campaigns, as well as education regarding effective water cooperation and dialogue;
• promote the exchange of experiences in successful policies and best practices at the local, national, regional and international levels;
• strengthen partnerships and cooperation between the public and private sectors, as well as among communities, local authorities and governments;
• enhance international and regional cooperation.

A special exhibition will also highlight water issues and challenges faced by all nations and their populations.

A special exhibition will also highlight water issues and challenges faced by all nations and their populations around the world.

In December 2010, following the proposal initiated by the Republic of Tajikistan and submitted by a group of countries, the United Nations General Assembly declared 2013 as the United Nations International Year of Water Cooperation (Resolution A/RES/65/154) to facilitate the coordination and collaboration in addressing emerging freshwater issues, and unite efforts undertaken by governments, international and regional organizations, business communities, scientists and other representatives of the civil society.

UNDP-GEF “Integrated Natural Resource Management in the Baikal Basin Transboundary Ecosystem” Mongolian Project Technical Director Tumurchudur SODNOM will present the implementation of the project.