Finnish-Russian Nature Conservation Cooperation in
2005-2007 (-2010)

A Finnish-Russian meeting was organised on 8-9 June 2004 in order to plan the Phase III of the Nature Conservation Sector of the Programme for the years 2005-2007. It was stated that even though the level of nature conservation in Northwest Russia has developed significantly, several problems, needs and potentials prevail. The cooperation in the previous phases has shown special development and cooperation needs. The participants of the meeting agreed that the main directions the Programme Sector should focus on are: the GAP Analysis and the Development of the Protected areas (PA) in Northwest Russia.

A comprehensive analysis on the needs to develop PAs network is needed in Northwest Russia. The identification of the gaps and representativeness of the protected areas will lead to high priority development actions and recommendations both in terms of new PAs as well as strengthening of the present PA network. The aim of the GAP Analysis is to function as a scientifically-proven and practical tool for planning and decision-making in regional and federal levels. The research and analysing process will take into account, in addition to ecological aspects of the PAs network, economical, social and cultural aspects related to the PAs. An operational and clearly structured PAs network will contribute significantly also to better functionality, efficiency and reliability of forest management and forest industry.

The second relevant need is to develop management and functions of the existing PAs. The development of PAs' management has not so far been dealt sufficiently in the Programme Sector. However, the inter-linked twin park cooperation managed by Metsähallitus has focused on park management as well as on development of nature tourism in the border area parks. Thereby, it is planned to combine the efforts of the Programme Sector and Metsähallitus in order to develop PA management and functions also in the PAs at a longer distance from the border. These activities will greatly support and facilitate the effective and sustainable development of nature conservation as an important element of Russian society - taking into account ecological, economical, social and cultural aspects of activities.

The Programme Sector will also include an important component of international networking, having the objective to improve and widen exchange of information and research methods as well as to establish new and strengthen already existing information networks. In addition, the Programme Sector will support relevant international nature conservation processes in NW Russia, e.g. the protection of the Green Belt of Fennoscandia. In practise, the Green Belt of Fennoscandia will mean an operative network of PAs on both sides of the Finnish-Russian border.

One component of the Programme Sector is to successfully finalise the projects and processes started in the phase II. These projects support the other Programme Sector components.

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