Expert opinion

	03.12.06 Victoria Panova G8 research group, University of Toronto, Director for Russia
	03.12.06 Mona Bricke German NGO Forum Environment and Development
	03.12.06 Nigel Martin Montreal International Rorum (FIM)
	02.12.06 John Kirton Head of G8 Research Group, University of Toronto
	02.12.06 Regina Gunter Head of the WWF Germany

News

Russia to promote international development

RBC, 06.04.2006, Moscow 19:20:59.Russia intends to boost its contribution to international development against the recent positive economic background, Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin said at an international conference prior to Russia's coming G8 presidency. He noted that Russia's assistance included debt relief for the poorest countries, particularly the debt write-off for African countries worth USD11.3bn. It has been resolved to write off debt of 16 HIPC countries, and at the moment the procedure for this is being determined.

Key issues that Russia is addressing in view of its G8 presidency include fighting infectious diseases and education development. Russia has already started providing support through grants and participation in international programs, and plans to enhance its assistance as it seeks to make an independent contribution to the international development, Kudrin said.

Expert opinion

	02.12.06 Halter Marek Le College de France
	02.12.06 Olivier Giscard d’Estaing COPAM, France
	02.12.06 Mika Ohbayashi Institute for Sustainable Energy Poliсy
	02.12.06 Bill Pace World Federalist Movement - Institute for Global Policy
	01.12.06 Peter I. Hajnal Toronto University, G8 Research Group