Practical Geography and XXI Century Challenges

The Practical Geography and XXI Century Challenges conference started its work in the Central House of Scientists of the Russian Academy of Sciences on June 4. The conference is dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Institute of Geography of the Russian Academy of Sciences. 

The event is organized by the International Geographical Union and the Institute of Geography of Russian Academy of Sciences. The conference is supported by the Russian Geographical Society.

During three days from 4-6 June leading scientists from 40 countries will discuss global geopolitical challenges, the climate change problems, urban development, the development of Arctic territories, migration, preservation of biological diversity, geographical education at school and other questions.

President of the Russian Geographical Society, Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation Sergei Shoigu sent a welcoming letter to the participants of the conference: "Outstanding Russian geographer Petr Semenov-Tian-Shansky used to say that the main aim of the Russian Geographical Society is to attract attention to the study of the native land. I would like to add that the study of geography on a planetary scale requires the involvement of the best scientists from around the world. The Institute of Geography of the Russian Academy of Sciences, celebrating its 100th anniversary, and the Russian Geographical Society have had relations of friendship and cooperation for many years. And, of course, they will continue."

Olga Solomina, Director of the Institute of Geography of the Russian Academy of Sciences, stressed that today the Institute of Geography is the country's largest scientific center for physical, social and economic geography. "Today, huge amounts of information are received from orbital stations, laboratories and field research. One of the main tasks of a modern scientist is to learn how to systematize this information and use it correctly."

Representatives of foreign organizations also congratulated the Institute of Geography on the anniversary. Thus, Andrey Petrov, President of the international Association of Arctic Social Sciences, Director of the Arctic Center of University of Northern Iowa (USA), stressed that the organization had always contributed to the development of the Arctic and Antarctic.

In turn, the leading Professor of Natural Resources Institute of China’s Academy of Sciences Dong Sochan noted that geographers from different countries of the world could find solutions to global conflicts together and respond to the challenges of modernity.

The conference will continue its work till June 6 in the building of the Russian Academy of Sciences in Moscow.