Green Belarus

News & Events in Belarus

http://ecoinfo.bas-net.by/ecology-belarus/ecology_news_in_Belarus.html

№ 4 (4), November, 2013 MINSK, BELARUS

THIS ISSUE: CIS IPA meeting highlights environmental legis-

lation ......................................................................... 1

Belarus to seek assistance of RCF in promoting

nuclear safety culture ........................................... 1

FAO to assist Belarus in utilizing old pesticides . 1

Belarus concerned over unequal participation

in Kyoto Protocol ................................................... 1

Belarus helps Venezuela assess environmental

risks in coastal areas ............................................. 2

Belarus to ban import of ozone-depleting sub-

stances .................................................................... 2

Publications ............................................................ 2

Swedish company to build biogas plant near

Grodno.................................................................... 2

Kobrin to open waste sorting plant under EU/

UNDP project ......................................................... 2

Paperless workflow in effect in Belarusian bank-

ing system ............................................................... 2

To Peat Or Not To Peat?........……………………...3

Turkmenistan to bolster cooperation with Belarus

in biotechnology ................................................... 3

Five joint projects of BSU, Vietnamese scientific

institutions awarded grants ................................ 3

Belarus interested in joint production of nano-

materials with S. Korea ........................................ 3

Plans to restore navigation on Neman under

cross-border project ............................................ 4

Belarus studying Russian experience of vehicle

recycling fees ........................................................ 4

Belneftekhim attracted to liquefied natural gas

as engine fuel ....................................................... 4

Belarus, Russia close to consensus on car recy-

cling fee .................................................................. 4

17MW solar power plant for Smorgon District 4

Up-to-date information about Belarusian roads

now online .............................................................. 4

Belarus, Lithuania sign cooperation program in

tourism for 2014-

2015………………………………...5

Belarus, Ukraine mull over cross-border develop-

ment projects ........................................................ 5

African tourists take interest in Belovezhskaya

Pushcha .................................................................. 5

Belarus planning to involve French and Finnish

ecologists to NPP public monitoring project .. 5

Sixth Belarusian Antarctic expedition ready to

start on 5 November ............................................ 6

Commemorative plaque for Belarusian scientist

Nikolai Turbin unveiled in Moscow .................... 6

November 2013 Top News .................................. 6

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Legal groundwork for the internation-

al environmental safety system in the CIS was one of the key issues dis-

cussed at the 39th plenary session of

the CIS Inter-Parliamentary Assembly

(IPA), BelTA learnt from Chairman of the House of Representatives’ perma-nent commission for international

affairs Nikolai Samoseiko.

In its activity the CIS IPA focuses on the legal ground-work of environmental protection among other things. Model

laws have been developed in the area, which regulate the basics

of the international environmental safety system. Among them

are Model Environment, Land, Water, and Forestry Codes, the model law on environmental impact assessment, prevention of

big accidents related to emissions of hazardous substances to

the environment, others.

According to the MP, the year 2013, the year of Bela-

rus’ chairmanship in the CIS, is held under motto of ecological culture and environmental protection. It demonstrates a respon-

sible attitude of the CIS member states towards nature-oriented

issues.

At the 39th plenary session the CIS model legislation was added up by laws in motor vehicle safety, environmental

audit and others. The CIS IPA also approved draft convention on

agricultural biodiversity in the CIS states, an interstate agree-

ment on the CIS united information system for protection against biohazards. According to Deputy Minister of Natural

Resources and Environment of Belarus Galina Volchuga, the law-

making process in the environmental area has been vigorous in

the recent years. In this respect the CIS common goal is in

reducing man-made burden on the environment from the per-spective of sustainable economic growth and enhancement of

the quality of life of the population.

Assessing the results of the CIS inter-parliamentary

events at the St. Petersburg meeting on 29 November, Nikolai Samoseiko stressed the importance of developing the inter-

parliamentary dialogue as one of the ways to strengthen con-

tacts between the CIS countries. belta.by,

29.11.2013

CIS IPA MEETING HIGHLIGHTS ENVIRONMENTAL

LEGISLATION

SUPPLEMENT

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ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION CENTER

"ECO-INFO"

CENTRAL SCIENTIFIC LIBRARY NAS BELARUS

Belarus needs to develop additional measures to

adapt toThe Council of the Republic has approved a bill on the ratification of the agreement on technical assistance

between the Belarusian government and the UN Food and

Agriculture Organization (FAO), BelTA has learnt.

Addressing the senators on 27 November, Agriculture and Food Minister of Belarus Leonid Zayats said that FAO will

provide technical assistance to Belarus in utilizing pesticides

which “use by” date has expired and which are currently stored in warehouses. In order to get rid of them the Belarusian side may purchase utilization equipment. The second option is to take

the pesticides out to other country.

The FAO will also provide assistance in the production of

rape seeds on the territories polluted by radioactive nuclides. BelTA reported earlier that the agreement was conclud-

ed on 8 May 2013. The technical assistance for the Belarusian

side is expected to total over $650,000. Belarus acceded to the

FAO in 2005, which granted the country access to international

experience in the field of agriculture. The Belarus-FAO dialogue intensified in 2007 when Russian became an official language of

the organization. belta.by,

27.11.2013

Also on:

Agreement on UN FAO technical aid to Belarus ratified

Belarus to seek assistance of RCF in promoting

nuclear safety culture Belarus is going to focus on the development

of nuclear safety culture. The issue was discussed dur-ing a working visit of Head of the Regulatory Coopera-

tion Forum (RCF) Russell Gibbs, BelTA has learnt from

the Department for Nuclear and Radiation Safety of the

Emergencies Ministry of Belarus (Gosatomnadzor). Russell Gibbs met with Belarusian specialists in

Minsk and helped compile a request to the RCF for assistance

in the development of nuclear safety culture.

He made a presentation of the RCF activities for Gosatomnadzor and noted that nuclear and radiation safety

regulatory bodies of all countries face challenges. The devel-

opment of nuclear safety culture is one of them. According to

Russell Gibbs, the culture should be “in the hearts and minds of all people, involved in the nuclear and radiation safety”.

Speaking about the assistance request, Gosatom-

nadzor chief Olga Lugovskaya noted that Belarus is primarily

interested in RCF’s assistance in promoting nuclear safety culture. Other points of the request will include the improve-ment of the regulatory system and the staffing of the Belarus-

ian regulatory body.

The Regulatory Cooperation Forum was established

in June 2010 as a response to the request of the IAEA mem-ber states for the creation of an organization that would

improve the coordination of assistance provided by countries

with developed nuclear power engineering to countries that

are starting their nuclear programs. Today 26 countries including Belarus are members

of the RCF.

Jordan was the first country to get assistance from

the organization, Vietnam – the second. At the moment Bela-

rus and Poland are candidates for the assistance. belta.by,

29.11.2013

Also on:

Belarus, Japan to expand interregional contacts

FAO TO ASSIST BELARUS IN UTILIZING OLD PESTICIDES

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Belarus concerned over unequal participation

in Kyoto Protocol

Belarus is concerned over unequal participa-

tion terms in the second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol, head of the Belarusian delegation,

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of

Belarus to Poland Viktor Gaisenok said as he spoke at

the Warsaw Climate Change Conference, BelTA learnt from the press service of the Belarusian Foreign Minis-

try.

Belarus’ representative deems it necessary to work out transparent and clear-cut decision-making procedures to be used at climate change negotiations.

He urged to step up joint efforts to elaborate a new

agreement by the signatories to the United Nations Frame-

work Convention on Climate Change. Viktor Gaisenok informed the attendees about

Belarus’ efforts to reduce climate change impact. belta.by,

22.11.2013

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GREEN BELARUS

P. 2 NEWS & EVENTS IN BELARUS

Belarus assists Venezuela with studying environmental risks in strategically important coastal areas, including islands, Director of the Venezuelan Institute for Scientific Research Eloy Sira said at the 2nd forum “Venezuela-Belarus: achievements and prospects of bilateral rela-tions” on 27 November, BelTA has learnt.

With the help of Belarus and modern technol-ogies, Venezuela is compiling maps of islands and the coastal area. The work is part of Belarus-Venezuela project to develop geoinformation technologies to assess environmental risks and climate change in coastal areas.

“The work allowed us to update information about underexplored areas that are strategically im-portant for the country’s social and economic develop-ment,” Eloy Sira said. He emphasized the importance of these projects for Venezuela.

“This is an exemplary Belarus-Venezuela project in terms of technologies, results and team-work,” the Director of the Venezuelan Institute for Scientific Research said.

belta.by, 27.11.2013

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SWEDISH COMPANY TO BUILD BIOGAS PLANT

NEAR GRODNO

Belarus helps Venezuela Belarus helps Venezuela assess environmental assess environmental risks in coastal areasrisks in coastal areas

A Swedish company intends to build a biogas plant at a solid domestic waste landfill near Grodno, BelTA learned from Andrei Sviri-dov, Head of the Investment Office of the Economy Committee of the Grodno Oblast Executive Committee.

Next year Vireo Energy Company intends to implement the project to extract biogas from the solid domestic waste landfill and use the gas to generate electricity. The installation will be placed in the largest solid domestic waste landfill in the oblast (Rogachi-Vyselki). The plant will generate about 1MW of electricity by extracting biogas from the landfill and burning it.

The Swedish project takes into account environmental considerations. After biogas is ex-tracted, grass will cover the landfill, ruling out the

negative impact of volatile methane. About $2 mil-lion will be invested in the project. The biogas plant’s service life will be at least ten years.

The Swedish investor is part of Kinnevik Group, Sweden’s leading investment company that has been operating for over 70 years. Vireo Energy has a long record of setting up and operating elec-tricity and heat generating plants powered by bio-gas, installations, which are similar to compact cogeneration plants and are designed to utilize solid biomass, as well as systems to degas solid domestic waste landfills. According to the official, the compa-ny has already implemented similar projects in Vitebsk and Orsha.

belta.by, 22.11.2013

Environment and Health Performance Review. BELARUS

This report describes and evaluates the current environment and health situation in Belarus. It evaluates strong and weak points of the national environmental and health status and brings rec-ommendations from independent experts. The conclusions and recommendations are based on the detailed Environment and Health Performance Review (EHPR) carried out in the country. The review identified the most important environment and health problems, evaluated the public health impact of environmental exposures and reviewed the policy and institutional framework taking into account the institutional set-up, the policy setting

and legal framework, the degree and structural functioning of intersec-toral collaboration and the available tools for action.

READ >>

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PUBLICATIONS

KOBRIN TO OPEN WASTE SORTING PLANT UNDER EU/UNDP PROJECT

The official ceremony of opening the Kobrin solid waste sorting plant (Brest Oblast) is scheduled for 22 November, BelTA learnt from Director of the Kobrin Utility Company Sergei Yelets.

All the equipment for the new plant was purchased under the EU/UNDP project “Support to the development of a comprehensive framework for international environmental cooperation in the Re-public of Belarus”. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment is the executive agency of the project.

The plant is fitted with a recyclable materi-als sorting line, which has already been running in a testing regime, a 50-tonne press, and a PET perfora-tor. Kobrin utility workers have also received a com-pact telehandler with attachments and four dump-trucks. Besides, the city continues designing a new eco-friendly landfill.

This is the second phase of the delivery of equipment under the EU/UNDP project in Kobrin. The first batch of equipment for separate waste collection was delivered in November 2012. The local utility service received then more than 600 waste bins for separate plastic, paper and glass collection, 40 containers for large-size and mixed waste, four

dumptrucks and a bulldozer to the total tune of nearly $590,000.

According to regional representative of the project Inna Yermakovich, new elements in the separate waste collection system and awareness-building efforts among the population have helped almost double the collection of recyclable materials in the city of Kobrin and Kobrin District in 2013. On the whole, an estimated €2 million worth of events are envisaged to improve the management of solid domestic waste disposal in the pilot projects in the towns of Mosty (Grodno Oblast) and Kobrin (Brest Oblast).

The joint EU/UNDP project “Support to the development of a comprehensive framework for international environmental cooperation in the Re-public of Belarus” was launched in August 2011. The project provides for the improvement of the existing system for solid domestic waste disposal, implemen-tation of the world’s best practices.

belta.by, 20.11.2013

The World Social Science Report 2013 issued

On November 15, the World Social Science Report 2013, entitled Changing Global Environments, launched at a special event during the 37th ses-sion of the UNESCO General Conference in Paris. This is the third edition of the World Social Sci-ence Report. Based on a call for proposals, over 150 authors from all over the world have contrib-uted articles. The Report issues an urgent call to action to the international social science commu-nity. Social scientists need to collaborate more effectively with colleagues from the natural, hu-man and engineering sciences to deliver relevant, credible knowledge that can help to address the

most pressing of today’s environmental problems and sustainability challenges. And they need to do so in close collaboration with decision-makers, practitioners and the other users of their research. The World Social Science Report 2013 was prepared and edited by the Interna-tional Social Science Council (ISSC), and is co-published by the ISSC, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and UNESCO.

READ >>

Belarusian Scientific Diaspora: a Step Forward

This is how the new publication by the State Committee on Science and Technology of Belarus is entitled. It's devoted to the current opportuni-ties of cooperation with the Belarusian scientific diaspora and some views on how it could be developed in future basing on international expe-rience and several local success stories. The publication presents one of the deliverables of the research project “Analysis of opportunities and development of measures and mechanisms for expanding the international cooperation in science, technology and innovation engaging Belarusian researchers working abroad” funded

by the SCST in 2011-2012 and implemented by the Belarusian Insti-tute of System Analysis and Information Support of Scientific and Technical Sphere.

READ >>

The Belarusian banking system has switched to paperless workflow practices. The statement was made by Deputy Chairman of the Board of the National Bank of the Republic of Belarus Sergei Dubkov at the 10th interna-tional forum on information technologies used in banking BankIT on 19 November, BelTA has learned.

“The National Bank has been recently paying close attention to the matter. We have fin-ished forming the system that allows us to say that the Belarusian banking system has switched to paperless document flow,” said Sergei Dubkov.

There are still some technical issues re-garding the functionality, including different technol-ogy implementations and the readiness of banks to spend money on it. But the decisions have been made, formalized, and executed, stressed the NBRB

representative. According to the source, the reduc-tion of the paper workflow has produced a tangible economic effect.

The use of information technologies in everyday life is one of the topical tasks, said the source. Modern trends indicate that matters con-cerning the optimization of business processes, their transparency, security get more and more topical for the Belarus economy, he remarked.

The BankIT forum allows discussing the development of information technologies in payment systems and banking ones in addition to the con-struction of automated systems for data processing on the country scale, pointed out Sergei Dubkov.

belta.by, 19.11.2013

Also on: Belarus’ export of forest products up 25%

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Paperless workflow in effect Paperless workflow in effect in Belarusian banking systemin Belarusian banking system

Belarus is getting ready to impose a ban on the import of ozone-depleting substances (ODS), BelTA learnt from head of the department for atmosphere and ozone layer of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environ-mental Protection of Belarus An-drei Pilipchuk.

The move will be enforced by the new version of the law “Concerning the protection of the ozone layer” that passed the first reading at the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of Belarus on 13 November.

Belarus passed the draft law in order to fulfill its obligations as part the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. The document obliges developed countries and countries in transition, including Belarus, to stop using ozone-depleting substances by 1 January 2020. Belarus will stop importing ODS; however, it will be allowed to keep using the existing equipment containing ODS.

The draft law provides that all owners of equip-ment containing ODS should switch to ozone-friendly tech-nologies or conduct recirculation (restoration) of used ODS.

Andrei Pilipchuk explained that technical properties of ozone-depleting substances deteriorate during the oper-ating life of equipment. The efficiency of equipment decreas-es, energy consumption increases and equipment breaks down faster. Meanwhile, all ozone-depleting substances are

released into the atmosphere. “In line with the new law, the users of equip-ment containing ozone-depleting sub-stances will be required to remove these substances from the system, restore them and put into the equip-ment again. As a result, the equipment will last longer and Belarusian compa-nies will be able to switch to ozone-friendly technologies whenever they can,” the expert said. Belarus was the first country among the former USSR republics to draft and

pass the law “Concerning the protection of the ozone lay-er” (November 2001). Belarus also joined the Vienna Con-vention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer and the Mon-treal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer.

In 2013 Belarus elaborated and adopted the strat-egy to gradually withdraw hydrochlorofluorocarbons from circulation by 2020. The major objectives of the strategy include enhanced control over the import of equipment containing ODS, restrictions on the use of ODS, and strengthening of the technical, educational and institutional potential of the country.

The ozone layer is a natural shield protecting the earth from ultraviolet light. The depletion of the ozone layer is linked to higher incidence of skin cancer, eye damage and immune system diseases in human beings.

belta.by, 15.11.2013

BELARUS TO BAN IMPORT OF OZONE-DEPLETING SUBSTANCES

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МЕЖДУНАРОДНЫЙ

P. 3

Five joint projects of the Belarusian State University (BSU) and Vietnamese scientific organizations and companies have received grants of the Belarusian-Vietnamese innovation, education and sci-tech center, BelTA learnt from the BSU’s press service.

Financial support for scientific research projects was granted to the follow-ing institutions: the BSU’s Physics Faculty and the Physics Institute of the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST) (the topology of structural deficiencies in gra-phene); the BSU’s Faculty of Applied Mathematics and Computer Science and Binh Duong University (the development of algorithms and computer technologies for solutions in the field of medical informatics); the BSU’s Faculty of Pre-University Education and Binh Duong University (the intro-duction of Russian language teaching materials for Vietnamese students in the curriculum of Binh Duong University); the BSU’s Faculty of Biology and the Institute of Agricultural Genetics (a research into systemic resistance of plants to environmental stress factors under the influ-ence of elicitors of rhizosphere bacteria); the BSU’s Faculty of Biology and VAST’s Institute of Chemistry of Natural Com-pounds (obtaining complexes of essential oils and other biologically active com-pounds containing cyclodextrins and a research into its physical and chemical prop-erties and the possibility of using these nanostructures for agricultural and industrial purposes).

The contest for grants was announced by the BSU in early October 2013. The applications could include joint projects or projects agreed with the Vietnamese side concerning priority areas of R&D activities and fundamental research along with works, due for completion in 2014, aimed at expanding scientific knowledge which are considered novelties and have scientific and practical importance.

Bilateral cooperation with the BSU develops every year. In 2012, such collaboration resulted in a 1.5-time increase in the number of Vietnamese students who get university education at the BSU. That year was also marked by the signing of a cooperation agreement between the BSU, the Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, the Central Botanical Garden of Belarus and VAST’s Institute of Chemistry of Natural Compounds. The agreement stipulated the creation of the scientific research laboratory named “Biotechnologies of natural and synthetic biologically active substances.” Four long-term R&D projects of the BSU have received support from the Vietnamese partners within the frame-work of the Belarusian-Vietnamese innovation, education and sci-tech center.

The center, set up on 1 August 2012, aims at the development of educa-tional, scientific and cultural ties between the BSU, Belarus’ higher education institu-tions and scientific and educational institutions and companies in Vietnam.

belta.by, 25.11.2013

Belarus would like to set up a joint venture in the field of nano-

materials together with the Republic of Korea, Chairman of the State Com-mittee for Science and Technology of Belarus Alexander Shumilin told re-porters answering a question of a BelTA journalist on 20 November.

According to Alexander Shumilin, Belarus and the Republic of Korea al-ready have joint solutions in nanomaterials and would like to keep working on them. The Republic of Korea has expertise and knowledge in commercializing scientific solutions.

Alexander Shumilin informed that research facilities and universities of the two countries are running five R&D projects, including “Formation and study of ferromagnetic semiconducting thin films to be used in spintronics”, “Mesomechanical principles of creating stable composite materials by means of nano-precipitation hardening of metal and polymers”, “Development of new plastic materials, elasto-mers and drug delivery management systems from renewable sources”.

More than that, research centers of Belarus and the Republic of Korea run joint projects to get ingots from aluminum alloys with superfine microstructure using genetic modification, fluidic crystallizers and other devices avoiding extrinsic condi-tioning agents. They are also working on metallurgy technologies and technologies to produce, steel, cast iron, non-ferrous metals and alloys, as well as new solutions in energy- and resource-saving. “All these projects can be attributed to the sixth technological paradigm and are very promising for the two countries,” Alexander Shumilin said. In his words, scientists will keep collaborating in the field of nano-materials, biotechnologies and optics.

belta.by, 20.11.2013

NEWS & EVENTS IN BELARUS

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TURKMENISTAN TO BOLSTER COOPERATION WITH BELARUS

IN BIOTECHNOLOGY Turkmenistan is interested in cooperation with Belarus in the field

of biotechnology, BelTA learned from the press service of the State Commit-tee for Science and Technology (SCST) of Belarus.

On 27 November Minsk played host to the first meeting of the intergovern-mental Belarusian-Turkmen commission on cooperation in the field of science and technology. The parties discussed the prospects of cooperation and shared infor-mation on the status and prospects of the development of science, technology and innovation sectors in the two countries. According to the State Committee for Sci-ence and Technology, Turkmenistan would like to cooperate in such areas as agri-culture, biotechnology, chemical science, energy-saving technologies, and would like to establish regular exchange of statistical publications in science, technology and innovation, and arrange scientific seminars in these areas.

The parties also considered the list of priority areas for further develop-ment of cooperation: agriculture; energy-saving technologies; physics and mathe-matics; biotechnology; chemical technology; ecology and environmental protection. A decision was made to devise an executive program of the Belarusian-Turkmen scientific and technical and innovation cooperation in 2014-2015. The program will include a cooperation plan between the National Academy of Sciences and the Acad-emy of Sciences of Turkmenistan and the proposals for joint projects of the Educa-tion Ministry of Belarus.

The second meeting of the intergovernmental Belarusian-Turkmen com-mission on cooperation in science and technology will be held in Ashgabat in 2015.

belta.by, 27.11.2013

Also on:

Minsk to host international conference on energy-efficient construction 18-19 December

Russian space agency prioritizes cooperation with NASB

Belarus can carry on Belarusian-Russian lactoferrin project alone

CIS council to sit in Minsk to discuss project to study foreshocks

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TO PEAT OR NOT TO PEAT? An official myth describes Belarus as a country of mires and swamps. Indeed,

Belarus has one of the largest wetlands on the continent, often the lungs of Europe.

But peat extraction on an industrial scale in 1960s – 1980s led to the drainage of 51.2 % of its peatlands. Peat has been used mostly as a fuel for boilers for many years. As a result, just one third of Belarusian peatlands remains untouched.

Nevertheless several years ago Deputy Prime minister of Belarus Uladzimir Siamashka declared that the golden era of peat briquette plants was coming and pointed out that govern-ment will make a huge investment into peat enterprises. To defend the last Belarus-ian mire public campaign In Defense of Belarusian Wetlands emerged.

Activists started the campaign one year ago. Over this short period of time they spread information about the plans of the Belarusian government to start peat extraction in the areas of eight natural mires included in the list of protected territories of national importance and they managed to collect 17,000 signatures to prevent peat mining.

Last summer the environmentalists had their first success. The rosecutor’s office de-clared the decision of Pukhavichy regional Executive Committee for the re-organisation of natu-ral reserve Vetrevichsky as a wrongful act and, thereby, prevented the peat extraction in the protected area near Minsk.

Peat as a cheap energy resource

The main lobbyist of the peat extraction expansion became the Ministry of Energy which considers domestic peat an alternative to imported natural gas. According to the state program called Peat, established in 2008, peat extraction must be increased twofold by 2020. The catch is that most of the peat fields located throughout the country belong to the nation's land fund and its nature protection fund where extraction activities are forbidden, leav-ing only 7% of total its reserves open for extraction.

The campaign In Defense of Belarusian Wetlands started after the issuance of The Government Decision from 17 June 2011. The document listed prospective areas for peat extrac-tion and introduced changes to the allocation scheme of protected areas of national importance. The document allows for peat extraction to begin in the peatlands which belong to the nature protection fund.

Proponents of peat extraction in protected areas argue that in 1960s–1970s these territories were a source of raw materials. According to their reasoning, if the country has eco-nomic problems and lacks its own energy resources, peat extraction in protected territories justified.

Environmental NGOs experts disagreed with this reasoning. They claim that the exten-sion of peat extraction in protected territories will have a negative influence on the climate, biodiversity preservation and lead to the depletion of water resources. In turn Belarus' ministry of environment officials have often reminded the public that an ecological evaluation should precede any mining. In cases of Vetrevichsky and Aziory natural reserves the expertise proved inexpediency of peat extraction.

Moreover, the promotion of short-term profits for a few companies which leads to the destruction of wetlands ecosystem attracted the attention of foreign donors. For example, it caught the attention of United Nation Development Program which provides financial support for the "re-wetting" of Belarusian mires. That negatively influenced an already broken image of Belarusian authorities.

In Defense of Belarusian Wetlands campaign

The idea of the campaign belongs to participants of the Green Alliance association. A very young team that came up with an idea of the campaign In Defense of Belarusian Wetlands have never taken part in any opposition political movements, nor did they have nay experience with public campaigns. For that reason, the activists were able to successfully cooperate with officials and state media.

The campaign caught the attention of independent media as well as official TV, which resulted in a TV report criticising peat extraction in protected territories. According to journalists mining activity can result in water resource depletion and a decrease in biodiversity.

Many international environmentalist organisations also supported the activists. Surpris-ingly, together with Finnish Association for Nature Conservation and Czech Green Party, Marea Socialista movement supported the campaign. Marea Socialista belongs to The United Socialist Party of Venezuela whose ex-leader Hugo Chavez was a close friend and ally of Alexander Lukashenka.

In Defense of Belarusian Wetlands activists travelled to wetlands areas, teamed with residents of local villages and provided legal assistance for local people to prevent peat extrac-tion in those areas.

The peat extraction issue did not have any political connotations and for that reason lawsuits from local residents had good chances for succeeding. It proved that the decision of the prosecutor’s office, which declared the decision of Pukhavichy regional Executive Committee for reorganisation of zakaznik Vetrevichsky as an illegal act and, further on, prevented peat extrac-tion in the protected area near Minsk.

In addition, activists collected 17,000 signatures for the abandonment of plans for the destruction of 8 natural mires included in the list of protected territories of national im-portance. They also organised dozens of activities such as exhibitions, art performances and lectures aiming to make people aware about threats to the wetlands.

Despite the successes of the campaign, the probability of peat extraction in protected territories persists. Celebrating the one year anniversary of the campaign, the activists’ coordi-nator Ola Kaskevich mentioned that the current situation with four wetlands situated in protect-ed areas is still unclear and a huge work has to be done to prevent peat extraction in these territories.

Wetlands campaign - exception to the rule

The struggle in defense of wetlands continues and it is difficult to predict its outcome. The obvious fact, however, that the wetlands campaign is unique for Belarus. The activists of the campaign have avoided any repressive measures. Moreover, they were able to cooperate with officials and effectively use legislation and courts to achieve their goals.

But, such “liberalism” would impossible if wetlands issue concerned politics or ruling business elites. For example, activists of campaign against Belarusian nuclear station construc-tion are constantly subjected to repression. Exactly the same way environmentalists are not able to influence the decisions on real estate construction in places originally used for recreation.

Nevertheless, the wetlands campaign demonstrates that the Belarusian environmental-ist movement has potential. It also serves as a positive example that local people in cooperation with NGO activists can influence the cloudy decision making process of authoritarian state insti-tutions.

BelarusDigest, 31.10.2013

Five joint projects of BSU, Vietnamese scientific institutions awarded grants

Belarus interested in joint production of nanomaterials with S. Korea

GREEN BELARUS

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Belarus is now studying the Russian experience of collecting vehicle recycling fees, said Sergei Gladky, Deputy Director General of the Belarusian metal recycling company OAO Bel-vtorchermet, when asked by BelTA whether Bela-rus was close to introducing similar measures.

“As far as I can understand no decisions have been made yet. Russia’s experience will be evaluated first because our economies are similar in their struc-ture,” said the executive. He added that the two coun-tries cooperate in the Customs Union with regard to setting a positive example, including in legislation.

On the whole, it is difficult to build a recycling scheme because there are many kinds of waste and time is needed, said Sergei Gladky. “The introduction of the fee is not the point. The fee has to get secondary resources back into the economy and prevent the nega-tive impact on the environment. By the way we cannot say that the fee will solve all the prob-lems,” noted the executive. He mentioned Western companies, which try to raise the share of recycled materials in vehicle production up to 95%. “As they introduce new models, they track and think about the entire cycle that their products go through from designing till the end of the service life,” said Sergei Gladky.

He also pointed out that Russia is now only testing the scheme. “It may look simple: you introduce the recycling fee and get manufacturers or sellers to pay up but the money has to be distributed somehow. In order to make it effective, an entire system made of multiple companies with designated functions is need-ed,” said Sergei Gladky.

According to Internet media, in Russia the vehicle recycling fee was RUB3,000 when the program for utilizing vehicles was in effect in 2011-2011. The owner of the vehicle had to pay the fee when the recy-cling contract was signed. As from 1 September 2012 the recycling fee is collected during customs clearance (the basic rate for cars is RUB20,000, for trucks and buses it is RUB150,000). Manufacturers and major importers of automobiles really feel the financial bur-den. End consumers will be hit by the higher cost of new automobiles regardless of the country where the

vehicle has been manufactured.

In the European Union the recy-cling fee for cars is about €100 and has to be paid when the vehicle is purchased.

belta.by, 20.11.2013

Also on:

Estonian business ready to invest in waste processing projects in Belarus

Belarus and Russia will soon come to a con-sensus regarding the car recycling fee, Deputy Finance Minister Maxim Yermolovich said at the joint meeting of the permanent commis-sions on economic policy and on budget and finance of the House of Representatives, Bel-TA learned.

“There are positive developments in our negotiations with the Russian Federation. We are close to some final decision: how the fee will be collected and administered. We want to make sure that this issue does not affect the volume of deliveries of Belarusian trucks to Russia and Russian vehicles to Belarus. I think this issue will be resolved within a month,” said Maxim Yermolovich.

The Deputy Minister also noted that producers will feel no negative consequences.

belta.by, 14.11.2013

Belneftekhim attracted to liquefied natural gas as engine fuel

BELARUS STUDYING RUSSIAN EXPERIENCE OF VEHICLE RECYCLING FEES

The Belarusian state petrochemical industry concern Belneftekhim believes that the promotion of liquefied natural gas as an engine fuel has a future in Belarus. Belneftekhim Chairman Igor Zhilin made the relevant statement at the business meeting held on 21 November to discuss the use of liquefied natural gas as an engine fuel, BelTA has learned.

Representatives of the State Duma of Russia, interested companies, and researchers took part in the business meeting. The ex-perts discussed topical as-pects of the use of gas engine fuel, its production, application, and storage as well as advantages of liquefied natural gas in comparison with compressed natural gas.

The Belneftekhim head pointed out that using natural gas, in particular, methane, as an internal combustion engine fuel is not a new idea. Compressed and liquefied natural gases have been in use for a long time. However, while compressed natural gas is already used in Belarusian vehicles, the work to start using liquefied natural gas for the same purpose has just begun. Meanwhile, the liquefied variety is more effective than the compressed one in several parameters. The matter has yet to be thoroughly discussed, several decisions at the top level have to be made, and, what is important, vehicles have to be adjusted to use liquefied natural gas, a mar-ket to sell the fuel has to be created, noted Igor Zhilin. Belneftekhim has factories capable of liquefying natural gas. According to the official, small business can get the ball rolling as far as the use of liquefied natural gas in automobiles in Belarus is concerned. Small businesses can use small plants to liquefy natural gas, thus setting an example that proves the effectiveness of the fuel.

Vladimir Dementyev, Director General of the non-commercial partnership Gas Engine Fuel Industry Council of Russia, remarked that at present the production of liquefied natural gas is one of the most rapidly developing sectors of the global market of energy resources. Specialists believe that in 2020 liquefied natural gas deliveries will nearly double to account for about 45% of the international trade in natural gas. Liquefied natural gas (LNG) is actively used abroad as an engine fuel for internal combustion engines, marine vessels, agricultural machines and aircraft. Liquefied natural gas has several advantages in comparison with compressed natural gas. For instance, the trucking distance of CNG-fueled vehicles is half of that of LNG-fueled vehicles unless the owner opts to install more CNG bottles. Therefore, it is quite logical that Russia has started working on the idea to expand the use of lique-fied natural gas for transport and machines.

First Deputy Chairman of the Natural Resources, Nature Management and Ecology Committee of the State Duma Valery Yazev pointed out the state support methods used to encourage the conversion of vehicles to gas engine fuel. “In my opinion, today’s meeting reflects the trends going on in the world because the grand project for the transition of automobiles to natural gas requires the combination of all the potentials and the creation of a vast market with common standards, unified regulations, and universal equipment. Only then the effectiveness and viability of the fuel will be secured. Serious state support is needed to implement the project,” he remarked.

Foreign experience confirms that natural gas is the leading kind of alterna-tive fuel. According to some data, as many as 18 million vehicles use over 30 billion m3 of natural gas as fuel across the globe. By 2030 the potential of the European gas engine fuel market is expected to reach 40-45 billion m3 of natural gas per annum. The application of natural gas as engine fuel has reached a new stage in its development, pointed out Valery Yazev. It is explained by the ecological and eco-nomic effect of gas engine fuel in comparison with conventional kinds of automobile fuel. The cost of refitting a vehicle or buying a vehicle designed to burn natural gas can be recouped within 8-24 months. However, a network of refueling stations has to be developed in order to make gas engine fuel as accessible as conventional fuels.

At present the number of companies that start manufacturing high-pressure bottles, cryogenic tanks, and compressor equipment is rising. The choice of gas-powered vehicles is expanding, including cars, trucks, and buses. More and more customers are inclined to buy vehicles powered by liquefied natural gas. Refueling stations get more and more compact taking into account their integration into exist-ing refueling compressor stations. More efforts are put into harmonizing the national regulations on manufacturing and using natural gas as engine fuel.

In May 2013 Belarus launched a state action plan to switch mass transit and municipal vehicles to gas engine fuel. A network of refueling and service stations will be set up. Plans have been made to start manufacturing automobiles and buses powered by natural gas as well as special fuel equipment for refitting vehicles. In early September 2013 the gas-powered bus MAZ-203965 went into service in Minsk streets. It was designed by Minsk Automobile Plant (MAZ) and Gazprom Transgaz Belarus.

belta.by, 21.11.2013

Belarus, Russia close to consensus on car recycling fee

Plans have been made to build a solar power plant in Smorgon District, Grodno Oblast with the total capacity of 17MW, BelTA learned from Andrei Sviridov, Head of the Investment Office of the Econ-omy Committee of the Grodno Oblast Executive Com-mittee.

The project to use renewable sources of energy will be implemented by OOO Ecological Energy, a company with Belarusian-Lithuanian-Russian capital.

An area as large as 36ha in an industrial zone of the district will be used for deploying the solar power generators. The power plant’s efficiency factor may reach 20%. The energy it will generate will be fed into the public power grid.

About $40 million will be invested in the project that will be implemented in three stages. The first one is supposed to be ready as early as late 2015.

A solar power plant with the total capacity of 1.26MW already operates in test mode in Shchuchin District, Grodno Oblast. This project has been implemented by OOO Agro-himsvet (AHS) at the expense of $1.5 million. Investment proposals filed by a Lithuanian company to build several more power plants of the kind in Zelva District, Lida District, and Svisloch District are going through the approval procedure. Projects to use solar energy are being implemented by several enterprises and organizations of the oblast. Apart from that, solar-powered water heaters are installed in recreation camps and at individual enterprises of the oblast. Plans have been made to raise their number over 20 by 2015. The production of solar panels by OAO Grodno Glassworks is under consideration.

belta.by, 11.11.2013

Plans to restore navigation on Neman

under cross-border project There are plans to restore navigation traffic on the

river Neman as part of a cross-border project, BelTA learnt from Deputy Head of the Free Economic Zone Grodnoinvest Dmitry Rozhkov.

Grodno District plans to take part in a cross-border cultural and educational project, which aim is to create a new international cultural route based on the history of inland naviga-tion.

The project has been initiated by Trakai Culture Center (Lithuania) jointly with the FEZ Grodnoinvest administration.

The main objective of the project is to develop a unique international cultural, historical and tourist route along the terri-tories of Lithuania, Belarus, Poland and Kaliningrad Oblast.

The project envisages historical studies of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania navigation, familiarization with ancient trails and river ports, restoration of ancient vessels, as well as new cultural heritage projects.

According to Dmitry Rozhkov, the project will contribute to the increase in mutual tourist flows. Grodnoinvest plans to launch some infrastructure projects. Among them are improve-ments of piers on the river Neman and the Augustow Channel.

The initiative is also supported by the Trakai History Museum, the National Maritime Museum in Gdansk, Lithuania’s Sea Museum, Lithuanian University of Educational Sciences, Klaipeda Tourist Information Center, the World Ocean Museum in Kaliningrad, Yanka Kupala State University of Grodno.

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17MW SOLAR POWER PLANT FOR SMORGON DISTRICT

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Up-to-date information about Belarusian roads

now online The website of the Belarusian Transport

and Communications Ministry now offers up-to-date information about road conditions in the country, the Ministry’s press service told BelTA.

The data is fed by 82 instrumentation sta-tions installed along Belarusian roads. Now drivers can access the website to learn the temperature of the air and the road surface, the type of precipitation in addition to evaluating the visibility and having a look at relevant photos.

The press service reminded that the short phone number 125 has been available since 1 February 2013. The short number allows Belarusian road construction and maintenance ser-vices to promptly respond to the situation and secure safe conditions for traffic.

The total length of Belarusian public roads exceeds 86,000km, including about 15,700km of primary motorways that handle the bulk of the cargo and passenger traffic.

belta.by,

22.11.2013

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МЕЖДУНАРОДНЫЙ ЭКОЛОГИЧЕСКИЙ БЮЛЛЕТЕНЬ

BELARUS PLANNING TO INVOLVE FRENCH AND FINNISH ECOLOGISTS TO

NPP PUBLIC MONITORING PROJECT

P. 5

BELARUS, UKRAINE MULL OVER CROSS-BORDER DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS

NEWS & EVENTS IN BELARUS

Tourists from Africa take interest in visiting Belovezhskaya

Pushcha, Mikhail Chichko, chief forest warden of the national park

Belovezhskaya Pushcha, told media on 20 November, BelTA has

learnt.

“Most of our guests, of course, come from Russia. Many tourists come from Poland. There are some from Germany, France and Canada, too.

We have recently seen the increasing number of tourists from Africa and Arab

countries,” Mikhail Chichko noted.

The ratio between the number of Belarusian and foreign tourists

who visit Belovezhskaya Pushcha varies from month to month. New Year holidays influence these figures in a great way as on these days over 50% of

tourists come from Russia, Mikhail Chichko added.

Mikhail Chichko said that in the last ten years the Belovezhskaya

Pushcha estate of Father Frost, the Belarusian Santa Claus, has been visited

by over one million tourists from 120 countries. “The estate of Father Frost is widely known both in this country and abroad. This place of interest has become one of major tourist brands in Belarus,” he underlined. The estate of Father Frost is visited by almost 70% of all tourists who come to Belovezh-

skaya Pushcha.

The national park attracts tourists with the help of eco-tourism.

Green paths are being developed in the park and tourists can make a trip

along these picturesque places on foot, by bicycle or by bus. “The southern part of the pushcha [virgin forest] which is situated in Brest Oblast, is more

developed in terms of tourism. We are now working to develop the Grodno

Oblast part of the forest, too. Belovezhskaya Pushcha is a unique forest and

many tourists come here to see the untouched nature of this reserve,” Mi-khail Chichko said.

The national park Belovezhskaya Pushcha is one of the oldest forest

reserves in the world. It became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1992. In 1993, the park was granted the status of a UNESCO biosphere reserve. In

1997 Belovezhskaya Pushcha was awarded the diploma of the Council of

Europe for outstanding achievements in the conservation of wildlife.

Flora and fauna of Belovezhskaya Pushcha are diverse. White firs

and other kinds of fir-trees, hornbeams, over a thousand oaks aged from 300

to 700 years, 450-year-old ash trees, 220-year-old pine-trees and 150-year-old junipers grow in the forest. The aurochs, the European red deer, the wolf,

the wild boar, the lynx and other animals are found here. All eco-systems are

preserved in their natural state. This has become possible partially thanks to

the Belarusian state program for the development of specially protected natural areas designed to run in 2008-2014. The international border crossing

Pererov-Belovezha is located in the national park. Tourists can find accommo-

dation in hotels and holiday houses.

The estate of Father Frost, opened in December 2003, is the most

visited tourist attraction in Belovezhskaya Pushcha. The total area of Father

Frost’s residence is 15 hectares. The residence includes houses of Father Frost and his granddaughter Snegurochka [the Snow Maiden] along with a glade of Twelve Months, a treasure house, a magic mill and other buildings

from popular fairy tales.

belta.by, 20.11.2013

Also on:

Cheese festival and chocolate ball to be held in Belarus in 2014

Belarusian youth presents CIS Year of Tourism projects

Buzovsky: 100 Ideas For CIS project can unite CIS youth initiative programs

Minsk Oblast, China’s Guangdong Province to cooperate in tourism

Turkish travel agencies to study Belarus’ tourism potential

The Sports and Tourism Ministry of Belarus and the Minis-

try of Economy of Lithuania have signed a cooperation program in tourism for 2014-2015, BelTA learnt from the press service of the

Belarusian Sports and Tourism Ministry.

The document was signed by Deputy Sports and Tourism Minister

Cheslav Shulga and Lithuania’s Vice-Minister of Economy Kestutis Treci-okas.

The press service informed that the document provides for con-

ducting joint events and campaigns, including tourism business forums,

and sharing statistical information and best practices in tourism legislation. The document also envisages participation in tourism exhibitions in Belarus

and Lithuania, development of a joint calendar of tourist events in border

areas, and arrangement of media tours.

The document was signed following a regular session of Belarus-Lithuania working group on tourism. The participants of the session dis-

cussed the state and prospects of bilateral cooperation in tourism, some

novelties in tourism infrastructure, marketing and promotional events and

cooperation between travel agencies of the two countries.

belta.by, 21.11.2013

Belarus, Lithuania sign cooperation program in tourism

for 2014-2015

AFRICAN TOURISTS TAKE INTEREST IN

BELOVEZHSKAYA PUSHCHA

Over 150 representatives of local authorities and civil organizations of the border

oblasts of Belarus and Ukraine (including Gomel Oblast) took part in the conference, the Way to Strengthening Territorial Cooperation of the Eastern Partnership Member States: Belarus-

Ukraine Territorial Cooperation Program, that took place in Zhytomyr, BelTA learnt from the

press service of the Gomel Oblast Executive Committee.

The participants of the conference considered the regional experience

gained during the implementation of such projects and got familiar

with the provisions of the new program which is to be financed by the

European Union. Under the program Belarus and Russia should devel-op their operational programs with the following thematic priorities:

social and economic development of regions, solutions to common

issues: environment, employment, healthcare, culture, education,

sport. Projects can be developed by local authorities, civil organiza-tions, other associations. All of them should be joint projects. Business

organizations have no right to take part in them.

An estimated amount of financing of the Belarus-Ukraine territorial cooperation programs will make up €4 million. All the internal procedures should be completed in the beginning of the next year.

The call for proposals will be held in mid 2014 and will be followed by a selection of projects. Grant

contracts will be signed in January 2015.

Over the last five years Gomel Oblast has implemented 61 projects within the UNDP and the

European Commission program “Area-Based Development of the Chernobyl-Affected Territories”.

belta.by, 19.11.2013

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Belarusian ecologists are planning to in-

volve representatives of the public organi-zations of France and Finland to the public

monitoring of the NPP environmental im-

pact in Belarus, the head of the Belarusian

public association "Ecological Initiative" Yuri Solovyov said during the roundtable

discussion dedicated to the presentation of

the project "Public monitoring of the envi-

ronmental impact of the Belarusian nuclear power plant”, BelTA has learnt.

“We are in negotiations with the French and Finnish partners who are trendsetters in the field of environmental monitoring. I would em-

phasize that in our work we use the best prac-

tices and the latest techniques. We want the information on the results of sampling and analysis to be

objective. In Belarus this issue is being handled by one of the country’s major scientific institutions -the Republican Center of Radiation Control and Monitoring at the Ministry of Natural Resources and Envi-

ronmental Protection. Yet we will enlist the additional help of foreign colleagues: the results of analyses

will be separately verified by independent foreign laboratories to eliminate any speculation that the

tests do not correspond to the intenraitonal standards. Thus, all the information will be absolutely

objective and reliable,” Yuri Solovyov said.

According to him, the implementation of the public monitoring project in cooperation with

international environmental organizations demonstrates that Belarus has created real conditions for the society to get complete information on the NPP construction, on the security measures, the impact on

human health and the environment. "This information will be available for all," said the ecologist.

“Ensuring independent public control over the compliance with security measures during the construction and operation of a nuclear power plant is an important factor for the development of nu-

clear energy in any country. Projects to monitor the impact of a nuclear power plant on human health

and the environment by environmental organizations have been successfully implemented in many

countries, including France, the United States, Russia, and Ukraine. For Belarus, the country most

affected by the Chernobyl accident, the public participation in the monitoring process is very important. We need to form an adequate public attitude toward the development of nuclear energy in the coun-

try,” said Yuri Solovyov

He noted that among the goals is to conduct a comprehensive radiation survey of the environ-

ment (soil, air, water) in the vicinity of the NPP construction site, to inform the public of the results of

the monitoring, the problems identified and steps taken to address them, strengthen the international

cooperation in the monitoring of the plant’s environment impact.

“Our task is to create an information databank which is necessary for regular independent monitoring of the impact of the Belarusian nuclear power plant on the environment after its commis-

sioning, and to develop a system of public control over the construction and operation of the nuclear

power plant in Belarus. We intend to conduct annual monitoring, to carefully monitor fluctuations in indicators, and if there are any deviations from the standards established in Belarus, we will communi-

cate the information to all stakeholders,” said Yuri Solovyov.

To date, the environmental monitoring project involves the Belarusian environmental organi-

zations "Ecological Initiative", "Development – the 21st Century", "Green Economy", "Intellect. Infor-

mation. Progress ", and also the non-governmental organization "Institute of Regional Development

and Democracy" (Lithuania), the interregional public ecological movement "Oka" (Russia), the Republi-

can Center of Radiation Control and Monitoring of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment Protection of Belarus.

belta.by, 5.11.2013

Also on:

Close watch over safety parameters of Belarusian nuclear station

Belarusian nuclear station design reaffirmed as safe

NGOs from Lithuania, Russia to monitor environmental impact of Belarus’ NPP

Measurements lab to keep Belarusian nuclear station safe

Lithuanian public takes an interest in Belarus’ NPP project

Entire public monitoring system over NPP construction in place in Belarus

MP: Nuclear energy has become one of the safest industries

Construction of power grid linkup for Belarusian nuclear station to begin in January

Bangladesh experts interested in Belarusian nuclear station construction experience

Russian technologies for Bangladesh’s nuclear station Rooppur

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COMMEMORATIVE PLAQUE FOR BELARUSIAN SCIENTIST NIKOLAI TURBIN UNVEILED IN MOSCOW

A commemorative plaque

for Soviet and Belarusian scientist Nikolai Turbin was unveiled in Mos-

cow on 31 November. The plaque is

attached to the house in Tverskaya

Street where the

famous geneticist lived from 1971 to

1998, BelTA learned

from the press ser-

vice of the Belarus-ian Embassy in Rus-

sia.

The event was attend-

ed by relatives, friends, colleagues, representa-

tives of the Belarusian

Embassy in Russia and

the scientific communi-ty.

Nikolai Turbin is the

author of nearly four

hundred research papers. He was at the

forefront of the Belarusian school of genetics, the Institute of Genetics and

Cytology at the National Academy of

Sciences of Belarus, which he was in

charge of for a long time. He mentored

18 doctors of sciences and more than 40 PhDs. Contribution of the scientist to

science was highly appreciated: Acade-

mician Turbin was awarded the Order of

the Red Banner of Labor and the Honor Badge, a number of other awards, the

title "Merited Worker of Science of the

BSSR". He was also awarded the BSSR

State Prize. Nikolai Turbin’s rich scientific

legacy is the common intellectual prop-

erty of Belarus and Russia.

Belarus honors the memory of this outstanding scientist and talented

manager, appreciates his great contri-

bution to the development of the na-

tional agricultural science. belta.by,

1.11.2013

Belarus launched the main phase of its nuclear

power plant construction. President of Belarus Alexan-der Lukashenko signed Decree No.499 “On the con-struction of the Belarusian nuclear power plant” on 2 November. Concrete pouring into the foundation of the

first power-generating unit of the Belarusian nuclear power plant at the Ostrovets site began on 6 Novem-

ber.

Introduction of state duty on road users under consideration in Belarus. Raised funds will be injected into

the development of the country’s transportation infrastruc-ture. It is expected that the size of the duty will depend on

the gross vehicle weight, its type and status of its owner (legal entity or natural person).

First DUI vehicle confiscation on 13 November. The

court of the Pervomaisky District of Minsk decided on confis-cation of a Fiat of a 28-year-old repeat offender. The offender

will serve 1.5 years of community works with a 20% deduc-

tion from his wages to the state revenue (at least one base

amount of Br130,000). His driving license has been suspend-ed for three years. The offender has been also fined at the

total amount of 300 basic amounts, i.e. Br39 million.

BelGee starts mass production of Geely Emgrand X7 crossovers. This is the second Chinese car model produced in

batches by the Borisov enterprise. Earlier the carmaker in

Borisov began producing Geely SC7 sedans. The enterprise to

assemble Chinese cars uses premises rented from the Borisov-based company OAO Avtogydrousilitel. Geely cars assembled

in Belarus are available at dealerships and auto centers in

Minsk, Polotsk and Mogilev, and soon will open in other cities.

Belarus’ educational project, Web All Ages Yield Surrender, wins gold of Ukraine’s PR competition, Pravda Awards. Partaking in the competition in Kyiv were a total of 45 projects from Ukraine, Belarus, Russia, Azerbaijan, and

Kazakhstan. Web All Ages Yield Surrender is a project aimed

at enhancing Internet use skills of elder people. A special

program was developed for the implementation of the pro-

ject. Computer lessons are run by volunteers. The project started in Minsk in October.

Belarus’ entry Ilya Volkov is third best (108 points) at the Junior Eurovision 2013 final. Ilya Volkov with his song Sing with Me and his dance band Maxi Briz took the third

place at the final show of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest

2013 in the Ukrainian capital.

Belarus’ Pilipka wins Grand Prix of Moscow Interna-tional Charity Film Festival Radiant Angel. The plot of the

cartoon is based on a Belarusian fairy-tale about a little boy

named Pilipka who was so kind as to escape the clutches of the evil witch Baba Yaga, who felt mercy for the boy. The

International Charity Film Festival Radiant Angel is one of the

priority projects of the complex targeted program “Spiritual and Moral Culture of Russia’s Growing Generation”. The festival unites everyone who create films about love, loyalty

and human relations. This year the program of the festival

included 160 animated films from 11 countries.

belta.by, 2.12.2013

NOVEMBER 2013 TOP NEWS

The sixth Belarusian Antarctic expedition will begin on 5 November 2013, representatives of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus (NASB) told BelTA.

This year the expedition will comprise three special-ists: head of the expedition, acting head of the national center for polar research Alexei Gaidashov, environmental engineer of the NASB research and practice center for biore-sources Yuri Giginyak, and geophysical engineer of the na-tional research center for ozonosphere monitoring of the Belarusian State University Ilya Bruchkovsky.

Instead of their permanent base (the field base Gora Vechernyaya) this time the Belarusian polar explorers will head to the Russian station Progress in Eastern Antarctica on the shore of the Prydz Bay near the Larsemann Hills. The Belarusian team will arrive on 14 December to return to Minsk on 14 April 2014.

Top administrators of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus met with members of the expedition on 4 November. Chairman of the NASB Presidium Vladimir Gusakov noted that the launch of the sixth Belarusian expedi-tion to Antarctica was an important event. “It is the best confirmation that Belarus is a country that carries out full-scale unique researches of great international importance,”

he stressed.

Expedition head Alexei Gaidashov noted that 2014 will be particularly important for the Belarusian Antarctic expedition. It is the year when the construction of Belarus’ first Antarctic station is supposed to start, he explained. “This is why during the expedition we will take care of preparing a report on assessing the station’s environmental impact. Then we will forward the report to international agencies for the experts to make sure that the construction and operation of the station will not greatly affect the environment of the icy continent in a negative way”.

The Belarusian polar explorers also intend to carry out a series of scientific research. The number includes re-searches into “live sea, fresh water, and surface resources for the sake of determining their quality and quantity parame-ters,” added Alexei Gaidashov. A powder sorbent based on peat will be tested. “The sorbent is supposed to be used for eradicating pollution caused by oil products and as a granu-lated odor absorber in Antarctic conditions,” said the expedi-tion head. Alexei Gaidashov added that innovative products made by Belarusian scientists will be used for carrying out a series of researches.

belta.by, 4.11.2013

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SIXTH BELARUSIAN ANTSIXTH BELARUSIAN ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION ARCTIC EXPEDITION READY TO START ON 5 READY TO START ON 5 NOVEMBERNOVEMBER

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