Skip to main content

The First Russian–British Raw Materials Dialogue

Российско-Британский диалог
© Форпост Северо-Запад

Two leading mining institutions of Russia and Britain – Saint Petersburg Mining University and the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3) – put forward an initiative to organize the Russian-British raw materials dialogue “Trust and cooperation as major elements of sustainable development” in Saint-Petersburg.

It was important to conduct this type of event within the framework of the year of Russian-British science and education, it was initiated by the British Embassy in Russia, the British Council, and the Government of Russian Federation. The Russian-British dialogue has been widely supported by scientific and business communities of both countries, confirmed by such participants as heads of the Embassy of the United Kingdom and British Council, the Russian-British Chamber of Commerce, the Federation Council and the State Duma of Russian Federation.

Российско-Британский диалог
© Форпост Северо-Запад / Андрей Кучеренко

There were about 150 participants from Britain including students and young scientists from 13 universities, such as Oxford University, Imperial College London, University of Exeter and heads of 40 British companies. In order to attract greater amount of attention there was organized an online live transmission of the event at 5 sites in Britain: London, Manchester, Edinburgh, Springfield and Exeter.

«Today we are giving birth to a ‘child’ that will soon grow up and build new relations between our countries», said Rector Litvinenko in his address to the participants of the Russian–British Dialogue. «Our initial meetings have shown that we speak the same language. We are going to come together not only to negotiate a new strategy in the development of natural resources but also to award grants to young researchers, enhance research cooperation on the basis of the new Competence Center for Mining-Engineering Education established in Saint Petersburg under the UNESCO auspices and promote the implementation of new technologies in the mining industry».

Литвиненко и Полтавченко
© Форпост Северо-Запад / Андрей Кучеренко

«Despite the political complications, we maintain positive dynamics of humanitarian cooperation», said the Governor of Saint Petersburg Georgy Poltavchenko. «Our countries have positive experience of implementing joint projects in natural resources management; we exchange best practices in introducing modern environmentally friendly technologies. The Russian–British Dialogue held in Mining University will strengthen the friendly relations between our countries».

Полтавченко
© Форпост Северо-Запад / Андрей Кучеренко

«Our aim is to build closer ties between our countries as well as between the business world and universities», stated the President of the Russo-British Chamber of Commerce Charles Hendry. «The Russian–British Dialogue is a serious opportunity to progress to a new development stage in the mining sector, to introduce a higher standard of environmental safety. We can work efficiently together, especially in such spheres as education, science and power engineering».

Владимир Литвиненко
© Форпост Северо-Запад / Андрей Кучеренко

«The trends in renewable energy production are clear», emphasized Kirill Molodtsov. «Many countries rely on the development of renewable energy sources and in the mid-term they plan to increase their share in power balance up to 20–25%. Yet, the consumption of hydrocarbons will continue to increase at least until 2040–2045. Over the last 50 years, energy consumption has been increasing by approximately 2.5% every year, mostly with the use of oil and especially gas. The dialogue between Russian and British business communities will help improve the technologies of extraction and processing of natural resources and will guarantee successful economic development of our countries».

Молодцов
© Форпост Северо-Запад / Андрей Кучеренко

«As a representative of the British government, I would like to say that such events are very important for our relations. The bridge formed by science is essential. It is very promising that there are such spheres where we can cooperate regardless of political situation,” noted the Minister Counsellor (Prosperity) at the British Embassy in Moscow Jonathan Brenton».

Российско-Британский диалог
© Форпост Северо-Запад / Андрей Кучеренко