Location

The proposed Conference will be held in Saint Petersburg, a city and a federal subject of Russia located on the Neva River at the head of the Gulf of Finland on the Baltic Sea, founded by Emperor Peter the Grate in 1703. It is Russia's second largest and Europe's fourth largest city after Moscow, London, and Paris; 4.6 million people live in the city, and over 6 million people live in the city's vicinity. Saint Petersburg is a major European cultural center, and important Russian port on the Baltic Sea. Saint Petersburg is often described as the most Western European styled city of Russia. Among cities of the world with over one million people, Saint Petersburg is the northernmost. The Historic Centre of Saint Petersburg and Related Groups of Monuments constitute a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Russia's political and cultural center for 200 years, the city is referred to in Russia as “the Northern Capital”.

Saint Petersburg is a major transport hub, the final destination of a web of intercity and suburban railways, served by five different railway terminals. The city has international railway connections to Helsinki, Finland, and Berlin, Germany. Saint Petersburg is served by Pulkovo International Airport and by three smaller commercial and cargo airports in the suburbs.

 
Additional links to sites outlining the amenities of Saint Petersburg can be found at: