Vladimir Putin sent a message of greetings to the delegates, organisers and guests of the 8^th Nevsky International Ecological Congress in St Petersburg.

All-Russian Climate Week will be held as part of the Year of the Environment in accordance with a decision of the interdepartmental working group under the Presidential Executive Office on issues related to climate change and sustainable development.

Sergei Ivanov, Special Presidential Representative for Environmental Protection, Ecology and Transport, took part in the session Challenges Facing the Ecology. Reforming the Waste Treatment Industry: Regulation, Experience, Problems and Solutions at the 3^rd Yalta International Economic Forum.

The President signed the Executive Order On the Environmental Security Strategy of the Russian Federation until 2025.

Vladimir Putin is taking part in the fourth international forum The Arctic: Territory of Dialogue.

Vladimir Putin visited Alexandra Land in the Franz Josef Land Archipelago, where he inspected the results of work to clean up environmental damage in the Russian Arctic region.

In the course of his trip to Alexandra Land in the Franz Josef Archipelago Vladimir Putin held a meeting on the comprehensive development of the Arctic region.

Vladimir Putin met with employees of the Omega field base of the Russian Arctic National Park on Alexandra Land Island of Franz Josef Land.

On March 25, the facade lighting of the President’s official residence, the Moscow Kremlin, will be turned off between 8.30 pm and 9.30 pm Moscow time for Earth Hour.

Mr Donskoy briefed the President on measures to enhance the efficiency of subsoil resource use, develop a system of protected natural zones, and support eco-tourism.

Vladimir Putin met with Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Khloponin to discuss the Year of the Environment in Russia, including ways to reduce emissions and the adverse impact on the environment, to introduce best available technologies, and to protect rare animals.

In Krasnoyarsk, Presidential Aide Igor Levitin chaired a meeting of the working group to monitor the implementation of decisions of the State Council and its Presidium on fulfilling the Presidential instructions of 7 May 2013 related to enhancing the efficiency of the timber industry in Russia.

Vladimir Putin approved a list of instructions following an audit conducted by the Presidential Control Directorate on the use, protection and regeneration of forests, and timber turnover.

Vladimir Putin signed a list of instructions drafted following a State Council meeting on Russia’s environmental development for the benefit of future generations, which took place on December 27, 2016.

Vladimir Putin had a working meeting with Murmansk Region Governor Marina Kovtun, who briefed the President on the region’s socioeconomic situation and large investment and environmental projects.

Organisation of events planned for Year of the Environment was the subject of discussion. Mr Donskoy also briefed Vladimir Putin on work to update subsoil use licensing procedures.

Vladimir Putin chaired State Council meeting on environmental development of the Russian Federation in the interests of future generations at the Kremlin.

The Presidential Executive Office’s Interdepartmental Working Group on Climate Change and Sustainable Development convened for a regular meeting.

Vladimir Putin chaired a meeting of the Council for Strategic Development and Priority Projects to discuss support for non-resource exports and environmental development.