Participation of the PABSEC in the International Forum “Sustainable Development of Mountain Territories”, St. Petersburg, 12-13 October 2023.
Mr. Igor Becic, PABSEC Vice-President, Head of the PABSEC Serbian delegation, and Mr. Asaf Hajiyev, PABSEC Secretary General, took part in the International Forum “Sustainable Development of Mountain Territories”, organized by the Inter-Parliamentary Assembly of the CIS Member States, in cooperation with the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation and the Russian Academy of Sciences in St. Petersburg on 12-13 October 2023.
During the forum, representatives of parliaments, executive authorities and local governments of the CIS Member States, the world scientific community, and international organizations discussed the problems of sustainable development of mountain regions, as well as the ways to strengthen cooperation in this area.
At the plenary session, round tables, and panel discussions, the following issues were considered: socio-economic aspects of the development of mountain territories, preservation and popularization of the culture of mountain ethnic groups, ensuring employment of the local population, specificities of medical and biological activity of people, conservation of biodiversity, hazardous natural and man-made processes, specific work of the agro-industrial complex in mountainous regions, etc.
In his speech at the plenary session, Mr. Asaf Hajiyev, the PABSEC Secretary General, noted the unique qualities of mountainous areas for the development of tourism, as well as the incredible diversity and attractiveness of the flora and fauna of mountainous regions. He also touched upon the problem of population outflow from mountainous areas and in this regard emphasized the importance of implementing infrastructure and communication projects, as well as encouraging investment and improving legislation. The PABSEC Secretary General noted the role of parliaments and parliamentary assemblies in joining efforts to create effective legislation for the development of mountain areas.
On the sidelines of the Forum, the PABSEC representatives met with Mr. Ali Asghar Mohammadi Sijani, Deputy Secretary General of the Parliamentary Union of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (PUIC), and discussed the prospects for cooperation between the two assemblies.