Under the conditions of the increasing economic and political openness of Russia, tasks of preservation unique ecosystems and natural resources of mankind become more important and make a new step in the development. The international recognition of lake Baikal as the object of the World nature legacy by UNESCO reflects the special attitude of the world community to this pearl of the planet.
Solving the problem of state importance and world value on protection the unique property of the Russian Federation, the Republic of Buryatia which territory possesses 80 % of the water area of lake Baikal, has to bear additional direct and indirect expenses caused by a special regime of economic activities and restrictions of ecological and economic character which annually make up more than 1,6 billion roubles.
These restrictions are both well founded and necessary because of strategic stocks of fresh potable water, which are concentrated here, besides, there are unique recreational places, health-improving springs and resorts on its coast and non-polluting food stuffs are made here. For effective preservation of ecosystem of Lake Baikal, efforts and financial resources of the regions, included in the Baikal wildlife territory are obviously not enough. They need in help and assistance of both federal authorities, Russian and foreign business, international organizations, specialized institutions of the United Nations.
Now the Republic of Buryatia proposes to undertake joint efforts on creation the International fund of steady development of the Baikal wildlife territory on the basis of available competitive advantages. The main aims of the fund should be:
- Realization and development of the Baikal project of steady development under the aegis of the United Nations;
- Financing national and international projects, including development and introduction new energy-effective and resource-saving technologies, rational use of natural resources of the region, preservation of a biological variety;
- Addressed support of the priority republican ecological projects directed to the development of manufactures of non-polluting production, reconstruction / modernization of working manufactures and development of ecologically safe manufactures;
- Support and development of small and average business in the sphere of tourism and use of local resources, processing of waste products;
- Development of education for steady development.


The solution of these questions is especially acute now, as there is a discussion about creation on the territory of the republic special economic zone of tourist-recreational type capable annually to receive up to 1,5-2 million of tourists per year.
Expenses of the capital character for realization of investment tourist projects and creation and development of infrastructure of the zone are estimated in 31,5 billion roubles. The volume of paid tourist services by 2015 will increase more than in 10 times in comparison with 2005, and the multiplicate effect in allied industries will make not less than 15 billion roubles.
Creation of such zone will allow to lower volume of the missed benefits because of ecological restrictions in 3,2 times, and the ratio of the missed benefits to GRO will decrease from 11,1 to 2,5 %. It will take place for the account of more dynamical development of ecologically safe kinds of activity, carrying out dangerous manufactures from the central ecological zone.

In the meeting between the President of the Republic of Buryatia, L.V.Potapov and the Chairman of the Russian Association of Assistance of the United Nations A.V. ðÍrkunov in 2004 it was decided to conduct the meeting together with structures of the United Nations devoted to the "Baikal" problem. The general director of UNEP, the assistant of the general secretary of United Nations Klaus Topfer wrote expressed his support to carrying out the Consultative meeting in his letter to the President of RB L.V.Potapov.
The preliminary discussions on this question resulted in carrying out the Consultative meeting ?The Baikal wildlife territory: partnership with the aim of steady development? on June, 25-27, 2005 in the capital of the Republic of Buryatia, Ulan-Ude with participation of 50 representatives from specialized institutions of the United Nations (PROON, UNEP, UNESCO), Mongolia, federal ministries and departments, administrations of the subjects of the Russian Federation, included in the Baikal wildlife territory, scientific institutes, Russian business and public organizations.
The participants of the Consultative meeting adopted in the session recommendations and the joint appeal of Co-chairmen of the meeting ? the Chairman of the Russian Association of Assistance of United Nations A.V. ðÍrkunov and the President of the Republic of Buryatia, L.V.Potapov - to the President of the Russian Federation V.V.Putin, the Chairman of the Council of Federation of Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation S.M.Mironov, the General secretary of United Nations Kofi Annan, heads of UNEP, UNESCO, directors of the Representation ?MSOP - the World union of wildlife protection? for Russia and the countries of CIS.