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Dear friends,

This year, Shanghai is hosting one of the world’s biggest events – the World Expo 2010. So far, the event has already been a success, bringing together more than 100 countries to showcase the latest advances in innovative thinking. For China this project has been yet another symbolic milestone confirming its high standing in the world.

Russia considers its participation in Expo 2010 very important. We support the Expo’s theme – Better City, Better Life, and think it was well chosen to reflect the need to improve the quality of life in modern urbanising society. The greater part of the world’s population now lives in cities, and it is cities that bear the main burden of the various technological, environmental, and social problems that we need to resolve together. 

The designers and architects of Russia’s pavilion at Expo 2010 made their own contribution to this theme, building on it by adding their own motto – The best city is one where children are happy. We tried to picture an ideal city through the eyes of our children because children’s curiosity, energy and originality mirror the boldest innovative and inventive spirit, after all. We have used demonstration models, technological support, and interactive programmes to unfold Russia’s five main innovation priorities: energy-efficiency and energy conservation; pharmaceuticals and medical technology; advances in nuclear energy; achievements in the space sector; and software development.

Russia will soon get a new research and development centre – Skolkovo. Its creative environment will foster the right conditions for generating new ideas and technology and turning them into real innovative projects.

Russia’s cities are developing their infrastructure, and at the same time put loving devotion into preserving their rich historical heritage. The urban planning and architectural projects on display at Russia’s Expo 2010 pavilion highlight the uniqueness of such diverse cities as Moscow, Sochi, Kazan, Yakutsk, Nizhny Novgorod, and Vladivostok.

We are grateful to our Chinese partners for their active assistance in building the Russian pavilion at Expo 2010, and in organising the various planned events. President of China Hu Jintao’s visit to our pavilion just before Expo 2010’s opening fully reflected the attention that the Chinese leadership has shown towards Russia’s participation in this event.

September 28 has been declared Russia’s National Pavilion Day at Expo 2010. I timed my visit to Shanghai especially so as to be here on this day. I invite everyone to visit Russia’s pavilion and learn about Russia’s vision of the prospects and priorities for humanity’s development.