The two-day meeting, hosted by the Government of the Russian Federation, will be co-chaired by the Director General and Professor Vladimir Fortov, member of the Board and President of the Russian Academy of Sciences. More about the meeting.

While in Saint-Petersburg, the Director-General is also expected to address the 4th St Petersburg International Cultural Forum, in the presence of the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, and the Minister of Culture, Vladimir Medinsky. The Forum is dedicated to UNESCO’s 70th anniversary, and presents an opportunity for dialogue and exchange of experience on the most pressing cultural issues, and to discuss means and policies to develop cultural life, to make the most of culture as a force for innovation, dialogue and social inclusion.

Irina Bokova will take part in a High-Level Discussion Panel at the National Mineral Resources University, in Saint-Petersburg, held on the occasion of a ceremony granting the Director-General the title “Honorary Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences”.  She will also participate in the PhosAgro/UNESCO/IUPAC International Prizes award giving ceremony where grants for research projects proposed by young scientists in green chemistry will be given.

The Director-General will also open the memorial, devoted to the World Heritage Site “Historical Center of Saint-Petersburg and Related Groups of Monuments”, and address the 4th All Russian Congress of UNESCO chairs.