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Taking part in the meeting were Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Patrushev, Minister of Industry and Trade Anton Alikhanov, Minister of Economic Development Maxim Reshetnikov, Minister of Finance Anton Siluanov, Minister of Construction, Housing and Utilities Irek Fayzullin, Rostec State Corporation CEO Sergei Chemezov, Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy to the Siberian Federal District Anatoly Seryshev, and Head of the Republic of Tuva Vladislav Khovalyg.

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President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Good afternoon, colleagues,

We are meeting here in Tuva ahead of a significant date for the republic and the entire country: the incorporation of Tuva, the Tuva People’s Republic, into the Soviet Union. This took place in October 1944, and we are going to mark this date.

I would like to emphasise that Tuva became the first independent state and the Soviet Union’s ally to join our common struggle against Nazism and to declare war on Nazi Germany and later on militarist Japan.

Much has happened since then, but this patriotic spirit of the people of Tuva was laid down by our ancestors, our grandfathers, great-grandfathers and our fathers. It continues to be a vital force driving the republic’s development and plays a significant role in shaping the interethnic and inter-faith harmony that our country takes great pride in and which forms the foundation of our statehood. On this wonderful anniversary, I would like to extend my best wishes to everyone.

The decision made at that time was a pivotal stage in forging the Russian state as a multi-ethnic power. At that time, the people of Tuva demonstrated their patriotism by taking up arms to fight Nazism. The whole economy was mobilised to bring victory closer. Today, the people of Tuva are also defending our common Fatherland.

Together with the Tuvan people, we have faced many challenges, from enduring the toughest years of the Great Patriotic War to rebuilding the country, restoring production, and reviving cities and towns. Undoubtedly, we will continue to advance together and address the issues facing both Russia and the republic today.

In this context, I want to emphasise that Tuva possesses significant potential. It is crucial to fully harness and effectively utilise this potential to advance regional development and improve the quality of life for its residents.

I would like to remind you that a new individual programme for the socioeconomic development of Tuva through 2030 is currently in preparation. The practical implementation of this programme is set to begin next year. The primary goal of such individual programmes is to create conditions for development in the constituent entities of the Federation that experience insufficient socioeconomic growth. Similar programmes are also active in the Altai Republic, Karelia, Mari El, Adygea, Kalmykia, Chuvashia, the Altai Territory, as well as the Pskov and Kurgan regions.

Today, I suggest we discuss the key aspects of this programme for Tuva as a whole. We will delve into the specific challenges the region faces in education, healthcare, natural resource development, tourism, transportation, housing construction, and other sectors.

Tuva boasts abundant raw materials, including lead, coal, non-ferrous and rare metals. One of Russia’s largest lithium deposits is located here. Lithium is highly sought after for producing batteries, electronics, and various components used in the nuclear, space, and aviation industries, essentially, for the industries of the future.

Tuva holds the top position in Russia for lithium reserves, accounting for nearly 30 percent, just over 28 percent to be precise. The extraction of this metal is, without exaggeration, a matter of strategic importance, and the way we handle it will largely determine the efficiency of our programmes aimed at ensuring import substitution and technological independence. During our meeting, I would like to hear about the prospects for developing the republic’s major deposits, the areas that need special attention, and any challenges that require specific solutions and support from the federal centre.

I would also like to note that, thanks to various measures already being implemented in Tuva, it has become possible to build more housing. This is particularly important for a republic like Tuva because new families are being created. Tuva is one of the youngest regions in the Russian Federation, with people around 18 years old making up 30 percent of its population. Tuva ranks second in terms of the birth rate nationwide. We should all follow the example of the people of Tuva.

As I mentioned earlier, we need to expand regional housing construction volumes, create engineering and transport infrastructure, build social facilities and improve overall living conditions. These relevant projects should be included in the regional development programme, which is currently being drafted, and should be backed with the necessary financial resources.

I have just met with the students who are starting a new school year. One of them asked about the development of tourism. The tourism industry is one of the most promising sectors in the republic, primarily because of its rich, interesting and unique nature. We need to increase the number of tourists visiting Tuva. To achieve this, we must create additional accommodation at hotels and holiday resorts and offer attractive tourist programmes. At the same time, we must also focus on efforts to preserve the unique and rare nature and animal species in the republic. Today, we will see how this work is organised. I know that the republic and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment are currently discussing the possibility of establishing Tuva National Park in the specially protected territory of the same name.

We will also analyse the implementation of current national projects in the region, particularly focusing on making education and healthcare more accessible, as well as addressing Tuva’s high priority development objectives when drafting new national projects until 2030.

On the whole, I hope to hear detailed reports on the current situation in Tuva’s economy and social sphere, as well as its development prospects.

Let us turn to our agenda. Head of the Republic Vladislav Khovalyg has the floor.

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