Moscow - PhosAgro acted as the general partner of the Summer School on Green Chemistry, which was organised by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) and held in Venice (Italy).
This initiative aims to provide support to young scientists working in the field of green chemistry. It creates a platform for promotion of innovative and technologically-advanced projects, discussion of topical issues, sharing best practices and experience, networking and establishing scientific cooperation, and creating a solid theoretical and practical base.
This year the school was attended by 80 young specialists and 20 world class teachers from forty different countries. The academic programme of the summer school focused on 17 UN sustainable development goals. Particular attention was paid to young scientists from developing countries and countries with emerging economies, particularly from Africa. 15 of the 30 young professionals who have been awarded with a scholarship to participate in the event are representatives of the African continent.
One of the main organisers of the Summer School and its current chairman, Pietro Tundo, Professor of Green Chemistry at Università Ca' Foscari Venezia, said: “I see this school as a platform for discussing the implementation of our scientific ideas in the field of green chemistry. It is important not only to discuss theoretical aspects, but also to develop roadmaps which could later help us achieve our main goal - save our planet for future generations.”
During the Summer School opening ceremony PhosAgro Deputy CEO Siroj Loikov talked about the Company’s activities oriented at supporting green initiatives, paying special attention to the Green Chemistry for Life grant programme for young specialists that is being supported by PhosAgro, UNESCO and IUPAC. He also invited all those interested to participate in the grant programme.
Andrey Guryev, a member of the Commission of the Russian Federation for UNESCO Affairs and the CEO of PhosAgro said: “We are very pleased that for the first time in the long history of UNESCO and the entire United Nations system an initiative of this kind is being implemented on an extrabudgetary basis and funded by the Russian company PhosAgro. This September, I would like to invite you to the fifth Green Chemistry for Life grant award ceremony that will take place in Bangkok. I would also like to turn to young scientists from all over the world who are not yet participating in the grant programme. I hope you will use this opportunity to make your dreams come true.”
PhosAgro is one of the world leaders in the production of mineral fertilisers. Its fertilisers are exported to 100 countries worldwide and are distinguished by their high quality and low content of impurities and potentially harmful elements such as cadmium. The Company therefore pays significant attention to the responsible use of natural resources as well as food security and environmental conservation on local and global levels. As a result, the Company is currently implementing its own ecological and social agenda, which is devoted to reducing environmental footprint from its activities and to continuing environmental conservation in those regions, where PhosAgro operates.
Over the last 3 three years PhosAgro Group has spent over RUB 10.5 billion on various environmental projects. At its facilities the Company implemented ecology management systems as well as staff health and safety management systems. Further development of the Company’s facilities through construction of new and modernisation of existing facilities using the best existing technologies remains one of the main priorities of PhosAgro’s strategy. Modernisation and creation of highly technological facilities helps to decrease the Company’s operating expenses and ecological footprint.