New York, 15 September 2008 - I am moved to join you in celebration of this first International Day of Democracy - declared by the General Assembly to commemorate the adoption of the Universal Declaration on Democracy by the Inter-Parliamentary Union in 1997.

UNDP mission to Kamchatka for two UNDP/GEF projects: ‘Demonstrating sustainable conservation of biodiversity in four protected areas of Russian Kamchatka Krai’ and ‘Conservation and sustainable use of wild salmon diversity in Russian Kamchatka Peninsula’

Participation in the ECRI (European Commission against Racism and Intolerance) national Round Table on issues related to combating racism and intolerance

Release of a series of UNDP/GEF publications by the Kamchatka Salmon Conservation project «Economics of Salmon Fishery» (M. Ksenofontov, I. Goldenberg) and «Total economic value of Kamchatka salmon» (S. Bobylev, P. Kasyanov, S. Solovieva, A. Stetsenko)

Visit to the Rostov-on-Don regional court’s juvenile justice initiative to discuss possibilities of collaboration

Special event dedicated to the International Day of Peace: UNIC Moscow together with the Office of UN Resident Coordinator are to observe the Day by a traditional wreath-laying ceremony at the Monument to soldiers of the anti-fascist coalition in World War II. The ceremony is to include the reading of the UN Secretary-General's message on the occasion, remarks by the UN Resident Coordinator, and representatives of MFA and Government of Moscow.

Global Environment Facility (GEF) Project development workshop on Energy Efficient Lighting involving Russian energy authorities, private sector, energy efficiency professionals and international consultants

Participation in the Regional NGO Consultations with the UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women, organized by “ANNA” (Russian NGO and resource center), in cooperation with OHCHR Geneva and Moscow

Forum on the Exchange of Experience in Development of Agrotourism in the framework of UNDP project ‘Sustainable Reintegration and Recovery in the North Caucasus’

Briefing for civil society members and the media on the outcome of the Paris DPI/NGO conference dedicated to the UDHR's 60th anniversary. The event is being organized jointly with the UNCT Senior Human Rights Adviser.