The session focused on strengthening collaboration between the government, business, and society to accelerate the structural and technological transformation of the Russian economy and effectively implement environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals at the regional level.

Key Discussion Points:

Russia has developed and is already implementing principles of green financing and financial instruments to support ESG-related projects. The session explored:

• The development of ESG practices in Russian cities and regions;
• Government support measures for green financing needed to advance sustainable development;
• Investment attraction strategies for infrastructure, eco-innovation, resource-saving, clean technologies, environmental protection, education, and healthcare.

Large businesses have become one of the key drivers of sustainable development in Russian regions. Over the past five years, the 2030 Agenda has been integrated into strategic regional documents, with business representatives actively involved in their development.

Organizers:

• Association "National Network of the UN Global Compact"
• SGM Agency
• Leontief Centre – International Centre for Social and Economic Research

Moderators:

• Natalia Dorpeko – Executive Director, National Network of the UN Global Compact
• Elena Dolgikh – CEO, SGM Agency; Coordinator, Sustainable Development of Regions and Cities Program, National Network of the UN Global Compact

Invited Participants:

• Taras Pronin – Head of the ECOSOC and Regional Organizations Section, Department of International Organizations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia
• Alexander Dyukarev – Deputy Head of the Department for Multilateral Economic Cooperation, Ministry of Economic Development of Russia
• Asiyat Bagatyrova – Head of Investment Climate Improvement, Department of Investment and Industrial Policy of Moscow
• Tatyana Radchenko – First Deputy General Director, Center for Strategic Research / Irina Pominova – Director, Center for Green Economy and Energy, CSR
• Yulia Mazanova – Deputy General Director for Sustainable Development and Corporate Communications, Metalloinvest
• Ekaterina Meleshko – Managing Partner, WINFRA
• Roman Ishmukhametov – Senior Lawyer, Melling, Voitishkin & Partners; Chairman, Coordination Committee of the Green Initiative, Association of European Businesses
• Tatyana Polidi – Vice President, Institute for Urban Economics Foundation
• Oleg Bakum – CEO, Kolmas Karelia LLC (operator of Ruskeala Mountain Park)

Front-Row Speakers:

• Innokenty Dementyev – Deputy General Director, Presidential Grants Foundation
• Anton Yushko – Chair, Eco-Efficient Tourism Commission, Leningrad Regional Branch of the Russian Geographical Society; Senior Specialist, Karelian Research Centre of the Russian Academy of Sciences