Omsk to host international environmental conference in August

An international conference on implementing the Kyoto Protocol is to be held in Omsk on August 12-13. Countries signed up to the agreement have to invest money in environmental protection measures in proportion to any increases in manufacturing output. However, a number of European countries do not currently need any extra environmental measures. Foreign companies are therefore prepared to finance environmental projects in the Russian regions.

The Omsk Region is an attractive target because it is currently carrying out an experimental modernisation of its housing and utilities sector. According to the regional administration, 'visible progress' has already been made.