2️⃣5️⃣0️⃣ years ago, on July 21, 1774, the Treaty of Küçük Kaynarca was signed, marking one of Russia's most significant diplomatic successes in the 18th century.

The document put an end to the six-year Russo-Turkish War (1768–1774) and cemented significant territorial and political gains for Russia as well as ensuring the safety of its southern regions and pacification of the Crimean Khanate, who for centuries raided Russia and engaged in slavery trade. The Treaty laid ground for the future accession of Crimea to the Russian Empire in 1783.

📃 Peace negotiations began in 1772, but it took two years to reach final agreements. The terms of the treaty were extremely favorable for Russia and included the following key provisions:

• Crimea was declared independent from the Ottoman Empire.

• Russia acquired a vast part of the Black Sea coast, including the fortresses of Kerch, Yenikale, Kinburn, and Azov.

• Russian merchant ships were granted free passage through the Bosporus and Dardanelles straits.

• Moldova and Wallachia received autonomy and came under Russian protection.

• Russia obtained the right to protect Christian subjects of the Ottoman Empire.

☝️ The Treaty of Küçük Kaynarca of 1774 was a turning point in the shared history of Russia and Crimea. It effectively stopped the devastation of Russia's southern regions and put an end to the abhorrent slave trade in the Black Sea, confirmed Russia's status as a great power and opened new opportunities for economic development.

#RussianHistory

⚡️46th session of #UNESCO World Heritage Committee #WHC opened in New Delhi under the chairmanship of India оn July 21. The Russian delegation is headed by the Permanent Representative of Russia🇷🇺 to UNESCO H.E. Rinat Alyautdinov.

📍WHC will consider developments under the Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, state of conservation of World Heritage sites, inscription of new nominations on the World Heritage List and cultural heritage of Africa.

📍The Russian nomination “Testament of Kenozero Lake” will be tabled for consideration by WHC. It is an example of a relict cultural landscape of the North-West of Russia with traditional wooden architecture surrounded by picturesque lakes, rivers, forests and fields that have preserved traces of the past.

📍Russian experts will participate in the forums for World Heritage Site's managers and young professionals on the sidelines of the session.

📍The 46th session will last till July 31.

#Announcement

🎙 On July 24, approximately at 10:00 am MSK (7:00 am GMT/ 9:00 am CEST/ 3:00 pm Beijing) Russia's Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova will hold a briefing on current foreign policy issues.

For accreditation inquiries, please contact the Russian Foreign Ministry's Press Centre. Accredited journalists will receive detailed explanations on the technical aspects of submitting questions.

The Foreign Ministry’s Spokeswoman will answer media questions received by the call centre.

❗️ Accreditation is open until 9:00 am on July 23.

⚡️Statement by Permanent Delegate of Russia to #UNESCO H.E. R.Alyautdinov at 46th session of World Heritage Committee #WHC under item "Report of World Heritage Centre on its activities & implementation of WHC’s decisions"

📍As stated by Director-General, Secretariat seems ready to assist WHC in dealing equitably with different sensitive issues. But it is evident that some biased Committee members instead of prioritizing collective action to protect heritage worldwide have again opted for double standards and selective approach.

📍Russia rejects inadmissible allegations & false accusations made by Ukraine & delegations of Western countries. They care less of world heritage & more of pursuing their own short-term political interests thus putting Convention in Danger. They escalate & use this expert forum to spread misinformation & politicized rhetoric, while world majority is endeavouring way out of current situation.

📍Russia is firmly committed to WHC & fulfill vigorously all its international obligations.

🎙 Statement of the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Alexander Pankin at the G20 Development Ministerial Meeting on «Ensuring Access to Water and Sanitation» (Rio de Janeiro, July 22, 2024)

💬 We are thankful to our Brazilian partners for their hospitality and substantive discussions on access to water and sanitation issues, which are of paramount importance for sustainable development and an indispensable condition for overcoming present challenges. Efficient water management creates a solid foundation for eradicating poverty and hunger, addressing inequalities, improving health care and quality of life, and reducing environmental risks.

We share the views of the Brazilian presidency regarding insufficient progress in the implementation of SDG 6. A quarter of the world's population still lacks water. Increasing urbanization and inequality may bring the situation to a critical point. It is important that the G20 reaffirm commitment to constructive changes in the area.

☝️ Naturally, positive dynamics in the water sector will rely on the efforts to expand the economic, scientific and technological potential, including through international exchanges and support. The work should focus, first and foremost, on practical aspects of ensuring access to water and on building up implementation tools that have proved effective in the countries in need. <...>

Existing barriers to achieving SDG 6 include inadequate development funding. Amounts allocated are scarce and pale in comparison to the money and weapons «pumped» into burning conflicts. The Global South is facing persistent credit shortages, high interest rates, and the flow of borrowed funds into the Western sovereign debt.

Another challenge for developing countries is that many technologies from developed countries are patent-protected and come at prohibitive prices, which hampers their adoption where they are most needed.

🌐 This sensitive issue was discussed in detail with African partners at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in June (the Russian-African conference entitled «Water: More Precious than Gold» was held). Russia reaffirmed its readiness to supply affordable modern equipment, share R&D and experience in searching and exploiting groundwater deposits, improving the quality of water supply, and rational water use.

Cooperation in this field has already been established with a number of African states. We are traditionally intensely working with neighbor partners from Central Asia. The BRICS Clean Rivers Programme initiated by Russia, which seeks to ensure cleaner rivers and prevent pollution of water resources in the #BRICS countries, is being successfully implemented.

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🇷🇺 Russia has unique water reserves that offer unrivalled opportunities for numerous economic sectors. <...> We have gained vast experience and practices in improving the quality of water supply. Russian President Vladimir Putin has set the target of constructing and modernizing at least two thousand drinking water supply and water treatment facilities by 2030. A unified digital inventory of the relevant infrastructure is expected to be launched in 2025.

In 2025, Russia will launch a new integrated federal water project. It will be twice as extensive as the previous ones and will improve living conditions for 22 million people by 2030.

🤝 We will actively participate in global efforts, including in the #G20, aimed at providing universal access to water and sanitation infrastructure.

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