Russian regional leaders will visit Finland on 16 –17 September to learn more about solutions Finland has adopted in the circular economy and waste management sector, informed today the Finnish Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment in a press release.
Finnish authorities consider that the long-standing cooperation between Finland and Russia in environmental issues provides a good basis for new opportunities. A new waste management act entered into force in Russia at the beginning of the year, laying down more detailed obligations on regional waste management.
The visit will provide the authorities and organisations engaged in trade with Russia with an opportunity to network with regional leaders, and an opportunity for Finnish companies to showcase their circular economy expertise.
According to the Finnish Government, the Russian visitors have expressed a particular interest in Finnish technology solutions, regulatory issues, and education and information provided to citizens regarding topics such as waste recycling. Similar natural conditions in Finland and many regions of Russia, including the Arctic climate, require solutions suitable for the northern regions, and this is precisely what Finland has to offer.
Visitors from 13 Russian regions
Among the visitors are several regional managers from 13 Russian regions that have traditionally maintained relations with Finland. The delegation includes the Heads of the Republics of Karelia and Komi, and the Deputy Governors of the regions of Kaliningrad, Murmansk and Nizhny Novgorod and the Republic of Mordva. There will be also several Ministerial representatives from the Moscow region, the Republic of Tatarstan, the Tver region, and the Republic of Sakha. There are also representatives from the Novgorod and Vologda regions.
Minister of Economic Affairs Katri Kulmuni will meet the Russian regional leadership at a working lunch attended by representatives of Finnish central government, business stakeholders and interest groups.
“I am glad that this visit attracted such a large number of participants. In my opinion, dialogue between Finnish and Russian regions is very important. We welcome the opportunity of hearing what the circular economy and waste management needs are in the Russian regions, and of working together to find solutions,” Minister Kulmuni says.
Water treatment and supply
The two-day programme focuses on visits to Fortum, the Viikinmäki water treatment plant, Marimatic, and Lassila & Tikanoja.
During the visit, a technology seminar focused on circular economy will also be organised to showcase Finland's circular economy solutions, and to hear more about the needs of regions and municipalities in order to improve the waste and water supply situation, among other things.
The visit is organised by the Team Finland network, the Russian trade mission and the Roscongress Foundation. The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment has the main responsibility for the visit, and other participating organisations include Business Finland, the Finnish-Russian Chamber of Commerce, the Ministry of the Environment, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, the Finnish missions in Russia, and East Office.
Finnish Government remarked that representatives from several Russian regions regularly visit Finland on visits organised by the Russian trade mission. However, this is the first time that such a large delegation of Russia’s regional leadership will arrive in Finland for a visit organised by Team Finland.
