| Donor's column |
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| Finland "cost-shares" DGP programmes in Russia | cost-sharing agreement with the UNDP, Finland participates in funding such projects as Support to Parliaments and Local Administration, Establishment of Ombudsman-like Institutions, including the University Ombudsman for the Moscow Institute of International Relations (MGIMO), Assistance to the High Commissioner for Human Rights of the Russian Federation, and the Establishment of Management Centres for Women NGOs in three cities. In a country as vast as Russia, and in an economic situation as dire as the current one, streamlined and collaborative efforts between the Russian Government and the international community stand the best chance of making things happen and of achieving a truly sustainable impact for Russia and its people. Markus Lyra, Ambassador of Finland in the RF More on cooperation with Finland on page 7. |
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In addition to maintaining well-established political and commercial relations with the Russian Federation, Finland has supported Russia's progress in its transition to a market economy and democracy in the 1990s through bilateral and multilateral assistance. As a member of the European Union, Finland is also actively promoting EU relations with Russia, especially through the initiative for EU Northern Dimension policies. UNDP policies worldwide, and particularly in Russia, fall in line with Finland's strategy of co-operation with Russia, where developing democracy and a market economy, and environmental management are top priorities. Finland supports the UNDP Democracy, Governance and Participation programme in the Russian Federation in two ways. |
Markus Lyra, Ambassador of Finland in the RF First, Finland has strengthened UNDP resources in Moscow by contributing a Junior Professional Officer to foster programme administration and planning. Second, through a |
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| Tyva requires immediate help | |
The External Affairs Ministry of the Russian Federation's Tyvan Republic recently invited UN experts to assess the region's socio-economic conditions. The mission was undertaken by Frederic Claus, Assistant UNDP Resident Representative and Programme Officer, and Mikayel Aleksanyan, Programme Officer at the UNICEF Moscow office. Located in one of the most remote comers of Siberia and bordering Mongolia, Tyva has a very harsh climate (with a 240-day period averaging -19 degrees Celsius), making it difficult for the mainly rural population of 300,000 to pursue traditional cattle-breeding and limiting grain production and berry picking. A lack of industrial development, a poor transportation infrastructure and a low level of medical services create a grim picture that reflects conditions in Tyva. The UN assessment team has proposed a strategy to address the emergency situation in Tyva in the forms of (1) relief support, especially in the health sector, and (2) programmes that will consolidate the communities' efforts to provide general services (in areas such as construction engineering, basic equipment and education) and financial support for local employment-generating initiatives. |
The proposal has also been suggested to establish an inter-agency task force comprised of UNFPA, UNDP, UNICEF, WHO and other bodies to develop and implement concrete projects along the proposed lines of activities. The estimated cost of the emergency phase of the programme is $80,000, and $100,000 for the start-up of preliminary actions with regard to development. Donor organisations interested in participating in the programme should contact: Frederic Claus, UNDP Mikayel Aleksanyan, UNICEF |
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United Nations Development Programme |
| Exploring Russia's tourism potential | |
The UNDP will participate in a conference on the development of tourism in Russia scheduled to be held in the State Duma from March 23 to 25, 1999. In preparation for the meeting, a preliminary study of the country's tourist potential was conducted jointly by the RF State Committee for Sports and Tourism, the State Duma Commission on Sports and Tourism and the UNDP. The study covered the cities of Moscow and St. Petersburg, the famous "Golden Ring" area (north-east of Moscow), the Lower Volga (from Kazan to Astrakhan), Sochi, Mineralnye Vody and Kamchatka. Additional data was collected through a special survey sent out last year to the administrations of all federation subjects. The UNDP has provided $85,000 for the analysis and arranged for a contribution from Iceland, which donated its expertise. In 1999 the project has received additional funding from France ($25,000) and Spain ($5,000). |
During the conference Russian and foreign experts from the World Tourism Organisation, Spain, France, Iceland and several other countries will discuss the step-by-step development of the Russian tourist sector over the next few years. Keeping in mind that limited resources are available in the crisis-stricken economy, local and regional institutions may start with small, low-cost tourism initiatives, which if successful will attract additional federal and foreign investment and increase the scope of activities. Apart from investment schemes, the discussions will also cover topics such as industry regulations and taxation. |
