22 October 2025
On October 22, 2025, within the framework of the XXVI International Conference “Problems of Forecasting and State Regulation of Socio-economic Development”, the Workshop of the Future “Cultural Heritage as a Strategic Resource and Driver of Sustainable Development of Regions and Megacities of the 21st century” was held.
The event was held at the site of the Grand Duchy of Sula History Park and brought together representatives of government, science and business from the Republic of Belarus and the Russian Federation to share experiences on the revitalization of historical and cultural sites with potential for the development of tourism and the preservation of cultural heritage.
During the master session, the Special Representative of the Governor of St. Petersburg for Economic Development Anatoly Kotov introduced the participants to the experience of St. Petersburg in implementing the city’s development strategy. The General Director of General Director of the Autonomous Non-profit Organization Ostrov Fortov Konstantin Chamilovich presented a successful case of the revitalization of Kronstadt, which is being transformed “from a territory of limitations to a space of opportunities,” demonstrating how cultural heritage can become the basis for modern development. The Deputy Chairperson of the Government of the Leningrad Region — Chairperson of the Committee for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage Vladimir Tsoi presented a master plan for the development of Staraya Ladoga, which contributed to the active development of tourism and the economic recovery of the territory. The Deputy Director of the St. Petersburg State Budgetary Institution of Additional Professional Education “Institute of Cultural Programs” Irina Kizilova emphasized the importance of joint initiatives in her report, suggesting the idea of organizing a Cultural Forum of the regions of Russia and Belarus as a promising platform for exchanging experiences and promoting best practices in the creative industries.
The Deputy Director of the Museum-reserve “Nesvizh” Natalia Zherko shared her experience in the development of one of the largest tourist sites in Belarus, the Nesvizh Castle. Co-Chairperson of the Republican Confederation of Entrepreneurship Ivan Gordievsky presented the experience of project activity and the initiative “Cultural heritage of Belarus — world heritage”.
The event also highlighted the cluster approach as a driving factor in the economy and the introduction of environmentally friendly technologies. The Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the International Consortium “St. Petersburg Cluster of Clean Technologies for the Urban Environment” and the Association of Business Clusters of the Russian Federation” Nikolai Pitirimov put forward a proposal to create a Russian-Belarusian forum on the closed-loop economy, which can become a powerful driver for promoting environmental responsibility, sustainable development and economic growth in both countries.
The Head of the expert group “Belarus–Russia: creating the future together” Alexey Ignatiev reported on the mechanisms of cross-border interregional cooperation using the example of the Kaliningrad and Grodno regions. He familiarized with the achieved results of cooperation in the field of “people’s diplomacy”, culture, preservation of historical memory, and social projects.
As part of the Workshop of the Future, the experience of implementing the Joint Project “Support to the Efforts of the Republic of Belarus in Nationalization and Localization of SDGs”, funded by the Government of the Russian Federation, was presented.
Special attention was also paid to the discussion of the draft Program of cooperation between the regions of Belarus and Russia in the field of interregional cooperation in culture, tourism, and sustainable development. Their vision of further cooperation in this area was presented by the Head of the Department for Relations with the Subjects of the Northwestern Federal District, Parliament and Public Associations of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Astakhova, Director General of the NGO “Center for Sustainable Development of the regions “Norden” (“Big North”)” Daria Akhutina, Scientific Secretary of the ICSEI Leontief Center CJSC Elena Belova, Head of the International Technical Assistance Department at the Scientific Research Economic Institute of the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Vlaskin.
The Workshop of the Future “Cultural Heritage as a Strategic Resource and Driver of Sustainable Development of Regions and Megacities of the 21st century” was organized with the support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Belarus as part of a Joint Project “Support to the Efforts of the Republic of Belarus in Nationalization and Localization of SDGs”, funded by the Government of the Russian Federation.
SITE MAP
