On October 3 and 4, the Baikal International Ecological Forum Clean Planet was held in Irkutsk, bringing together scientists and activists from Russia, China, Mongolia, Serbia and France. Participants discussed global water and environmental issues using Lake Baikal as an example, natural resource use, development of protected areas and environmental education. The program also included reports on water problems in different countries and a documentary film about Baikal.

On October 3 and 4, the Baikal International Environmental Forum “Clean Planet” was held in Irkutsk as part of the Nationwide Program “In the Circle of Family.” The event was held with the support of the Government of the Irkutsk Region, the administration of Irkutsk, the Agency for Strategic Initiatives, the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, and the State Corporation Rostec. The forum was attended by delegations of leading scientists in the field of ecology and environmental protection from China, Mongolia, Serbia, and France, as well as scientists and representatives of public organizations from various regions of Russia.
The city was chosen as the venue for the international forum not by chance: Irkutsk is located near Lake Baikal. Twelve specially protected natural areas adjoin the lake’s coastline, including 3 nature reserves, 2 national parks, and 6 wildlife sanctuaries. In addition to them, there are 23 more specially protected natural areas on the Baikal natural territory, and more than 400 natural monuments are located there.
Mayor Dmitry Berdnikov, Acting Head of the Ecology Department of the Urban Development Committee of the Irkutsk City Administration Natalya Stupina, and Head of the Protocol and International Activities Department of the Irkutsk City Administration Olga Seredkina attended the opening of the forum.
The city head welcomed the forum participants to Irkutsk land, noting the great importance of the event and the invaluable work of environmental scientists who have joined forces in the fight for environmental safety: “Dear forum participants! I sincerely welcome you to Irkutsk land! This forum is another step toward uniting environmental scientists, public organizations, and concerned citizens gathered here to address priority environmental tasks. As the mayor of the city, I want to say that we, the residents of Irkutsk, are of course very interested in preserving the world’s pearl—Baikal. I am convinced that the exchange of experience and opinions, and the holding of thematic round tables at this forum, will make it possible to develop a consolidated position on key issues related to environmental safety.”
One of the main events of the Baikal International Environmental Forum was the plenary session on the topic “Global Water and Environmental Problems of Transboundary Territories Using Lake Baikal as an Example.” No less significant issues were discussed at the forum’s round tables: “Nature Management in the Context of the Economic Interests of Territories,” “Specially Protected Natural Areas: Opportunities and Prospects for the Development of Natural Parks,” and “Environmental Education and the Formation of Environmental Consciousness.” Also within the framework of the forum, reports related to water and environmental problems in different countries of the world were heard, and a documentary film on the problems of Baikal was screened.