On the final day of his four-day inaugural visit as the new head of UNDP, Mark Malloch Brown met with Russian Prime Minister, Mikhail Kasyanov, in the White House in the presence of Mr. Sergei Ordzhonikidze, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Mr. Philippe Elghouayel, UNDP and UNFPA Resident Representative in the Russian Federation.

The two officials discussed UNDP’s present and future work in the Russian Federation, agreeing to look for ways in which UNDP could help in legal reform, particularly potential legislation surrounding issues such as money-laundering, and ways of creating a better enabling legal and institutional environment for investment in Russia. Mr. Malloch Brown also underlined that UNDP should continue to bring foreign companies and investment in Russia.

The UNDP Administrator stated that UNDP is prepared to explore the possibility of furthering potential investment opportunities where UNDP could continue to work in partnership with the government and interested foreign investors in Russia.

On the first step of his trip, Mr. Malloch Brown participated in the St. Petersburg Economic Forum. The Forum has become one of the most important meeting grounds for economists, politicians and businessmen from almost all of the former Soviet Republics and other countries.

In St. Petersburg, Mr. Malloch Brown signed a $90 million project, piloted by UNDP, that will use financing and technology from France’s SNF-Floerger to improve water quality in St. Petersburg. He cited this project as an example of UNDP’s increasing efforts to foster public-private partnerships.

"The water quality in St. Petersburg just isn’t what it needs to be for a major international city, nor what it needs to be for its citizens", UNDP Administrator said. "The city needs decent water not just for the health of its own citizens, but for its attractiveness as an investment destination".

Mr. Malloch Brown also met with Mr. Valery Serdyukov, the Governor of the Leningrad Region, and Mr. Vladimir Yakovlev, the Governor of St. Petersburg.

During his stay in Moscow, the UNDP Administrator met with Mr. Alexander Pochinok, the Minister of Labour and Social Development, and discussed employment issues. UNDP is already training and providing re-training for highly-skilled professionals in order to make the labour market in Russia more flexible.

Mr. Malloch Brown announced that UNDP is planning to launch some small income-generating projects in the North Caucasus. He indicated that UNDP’s role in Chechnya could be to provide support to job-creation and income-generating activities in the post-conflict period. The Administrator also had talks with Mr. Sergei Ordzhonikidze, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Mr. Ivan Materov, First Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Trade.

"I see the Country Office is following right strategy. Starting with "Democratic Governance" only three years ago you have reached a lot. One of the most important roles of UNDP is to help to improve governance in a democratic way, to address environment problems, such as pollution, safe drinking water and so on. Extraordinarily ambitious are the public-private partnerships. What you are doing in Russia is very important for the future of Russia and UNDP", he stressed.

During his visit to Russia Malloch Brown constantly stressed the role of UNDP in several targeted areas: strengthening civil society participation, democratic governance and local governance; promoting investment and providing sound policy and legistation advice. "We are not necessarily the biggest provider of finance, but we are a trusted promoter of smart policies, articulate advocacy and powerful partnerships", said Mr. Malloch Brown.

Later, a reception was arranged. It gathered editors-in-chief of leading Russian media, prominent journalists, representatives of Russian NGOs and members from the business community. Mr. Malloch Brown had an opportunity to talk with journalists from Sevodnya, Itogi, Radio Ekho Moskvy and stressed the need for a free press in a democratic society.

At a modest ceremony during the dinner, the UNDP Administrator was awarded the Medal of Honor of the International Information Academy in recognition of his merits in international journalism and the promotion of information technologies. During last visit to Russia the UN Secretary General had been awarded the same Medal of Honor.

The UNDP Administrator was cordially welcomed by the project Manager Mrs. Irina Leonova and her staff and was given a traditional bread-and-salt welcome. In Russia this custom implies great respect and esteem for the visitor.

At a lunch held at the Center, in honor of Mr. Malloch Brown, members of the Moscow City Government were present, including First Vice Mayor Mrs. Liudmila Shvetsova. Upon leaving the Center, the UNDP Administrator was offered a souvenir, a doll made by a local artisan, which he promised he will put under his pillow in New York to remember the days spent in Russia.