"RREC has relevant potential for providing support to the Ministry of Natural Resources of Russia within the framework of Environment for Europe Process and implementing the functions of the Secretariat according to set framework"

V. Stepankov, Deputy Minister of Natural Resources of Russia in 2004-2006




A media briefing will be held by representatives of EBRD

The EBRD is reviewing the Environmental and Social Policy that underscores its commitment to promoting environmentally sound and sustainable development as well as its Public Information Policy that ensures the transparency of its activities. The review includes an extensive process of consultation with relevant stake-holders.

Members of the press are invited to cover a public consultation meeting on the draft revisions of the Bank’s Environmental and Social Policy and on the Public Information Policy. The meeting will take place on March 28, 2008 at hotel ‘Izmailovo Gamma-Delta’, hall “Rostov”, Izmailovo road 71, ‘Partizanskaya’ metro station. The meeting will be held in English and Russian. All the comments received at public meetings, via post and email will be taken into account by the EBRD as part of the decision-making process to adopt the new policies.

A media briefing will be held by representatives of EBRD from 11.00 to 11.30 am in hall “Rostov” of the ‘Izmailovo Gamma-Delta’ hotel. A photo / video opportunity will be offered to camera crews during the briefing. While the entire meeting will be open for news reporters, priority will be given to questions and interventions of civil society representatives and citizens. Filming will only be allowed during the media briefing and the beginning of the second part of the meeting.

The Environmental and Social Policy details the commitments of the EBRD in implementing its mandate for the "promotion of environmentally sound and sustainable development". The EBRD’s Public Information Policy (PIP) embodies the bank’s commitment to enhance the transparency of its activities and promote good governance. Detailed explanations of the current revision processes are available at and .

A consortium lead by the Regional Environmental Center for Central and Eastern Europe (REC) will organise public consultation meetings in Belgrade, Bishkek, Budapest, London, Moscow and Tbilisi, and will offer independent facilitation. To ensure the opportunity of civil society organisations to participate in the consultations, the EBRD has made available limited financial support for the travel of selected participants.

Information about the public consultation meetings is available at and can be requested by email from .

For media inquiries and preliminary information, please contact:
Ms. Elena Surovikina, Press Service of Russian Regional Environmental Centre,
tel.(495) 737-64-48, ext.108, +7 903 129-4649(mob), surovikina@rusrec.ru or
Ms. Olga Razbash, expert on Environmental Law and Public Awareness, RREC,
tel.(495) 737-64-48, ext.111, razbash@rusrec.ru or
Mr. Pavel Antonov, International Media and Communications expert, REC, Hungary,
tel. +36 20 3839851, pantonov@rec.org.