In the new social, economic and geopolitical conditions prevailing today St. Petersburg must redefine its role both in Russia and in the world. That is why it needs a strategic plan that will allow it to unite the efforts of the city authorities and of the entire city community so as to decide the issues that will determine the future of the city and the well-being of its citizens.

At the first city conference, held on December 12th 1996, it was decided to prepare a Strategic Plan for the development of St. Petersburg, based on the new idea of involving to the greatest possible extent all stakeholders. The past months of intensive work on the plan have proved the eagerness of St. Petersburg's leading organizations for constructive cooperation in the interests of the prosperity and well-being of our great city. The Strategic Plan defines the city's main goal and strategic objectives as well as specific objectives and specific measures for the realization of the main goal and strategic objectives. We are convinced that implementation of the plan will make it possible to concentrate on achieving high standards of quality of life for all citizens through improvement of St. Petersburg's economic climate and urban environment, and by successful integration of the city into the world economy.

By signing this declaration, we, the members of the General Council for the Strategic Plan for Saint Petersburg, jointly undertake to do the following:

a) do everything possible in order to achieve the main goal of the Strategic Plan, which is sustained improvement of the quality of life of all categories of St. Petersburg citizens. The latter depends upon: 1) St. Petersburg becoming a multifunctional city integrated into the Russian and world economy and providing a favorable environment for life and economic activity; 2) consolidation of St. Petersburg's role as the main Russian transport hub in the Baltic region and the North West of Russia;

b) cooperate in the implementation of measures in support of the four strategic goals identified by the Strategic Plan, i.e.:

establishment of a favorable business climate;

integration of St. Petersburg into the world economy;

improvement of the urban environment;

establishment of a favorable social environment;

c) use the authority and influence of the General Council and each of its members in order to implement the measures identified herein; concentrate the efforts of the General Council for the Strategic Plan on supervising the attainment of the plan's goals and on updating and improving the Strategic Plan.

The process of strategic planning will be continued. It has already united the city's most influential and best qualified forces, and it is open for all new participants who are sincere in their determination to ensure prosperity for St. Petersburg. We are sure that participants in this strategic partnership will, both together and each independently, do all in their power to contribute to the attainment of the Strategic Plan's main goal and to implement the tasks and objectives that it identifies.

This constitutes a pledge of the implementation of the Strategic Plan.

The above declaration was ratified at the Session of the General Council for the Strategic Plan of St. Petersburg on December 1st 1997 and was signed by 143 members of the General Council.