Investments in Sustainable Tourism in Xochimilco, an Area of Opportunities for Cooperation Between Mexico and Russia

In the current international context, environment becomes one of the issues on the global agenda that require priority attention. The aim of this article is to provide an opportunity for cooperation in the area of socially responsible development between Mexico and Russia in the field of sustainable tourism, as well as to define possible actions to strengthen political, economic, and social relations that affect environmental conservation and multiculturalism.
In the unstable geopolitical situation, it is essential to work on factors that influence our common future, such as climate change, conservation of biodiversity and global ecosystems, fair energy transition, and creation of sustainable spaces that improve quality of life. These are just some of the areas.
It is known that at the political level they express willingness to take measures aimed at the resolution of the above challenges, but the biggest issue here is the lack of time to take such measures. Today, the need for investments in the envi- ronment is obvious for the entire world, but it is the countries of the of the Global South that face the greatest challenges.

One of such measures, in addition to the willingness and openness to sustain- able development, are investments in sustainable tourism. In this context, there is vast potential for our countries. According to the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI), Mexico’s tourism industry ensures approximately 8.6% of its GDP (Tourism, 2024)[1] and constitutes one of the most important types of economic activity of our country. Besides, Mexico ranks fihh in the list of megadiverse countries (CONAP, 2018)[2]. There are thirty-five tourist object here that are declared World Heritage Sites (SIC CULTURA, 1993)[3]; in addition, Mexico has at least seven differ- ent climate zones[4] (SEMARNAT, 2003). Due to these factors, Mexico is positioning itself as one of the countries with the largest tourism potential in the world.
In Russia, in its turn, there are thirty-two objects that are declared World Heritage Sites by UNESCO (UNESCO, 2024)[5], and according to the embassy of the Russian Federation in Mexico it has the world’s largest reserves of minerals and natural gas.
Although the Russian Federation has faced various difficulties in course of its integration in the global tourism economy, it is these difficulties that may result in the establishment of new cooperation schemes within the framework of the mul- tipolar world. In order to move to the formulation of the main offer, it is the time to ask questions that encourage action: what initiatives are practically feasible for cooperation between Mexico and Russia in the area of environmental protection? What are the economic and social benefits offered by them?
Schemes of investment in sustainable tourism in Mexico have vast potential. This offer can be implemented in Mexico City, in the Xochimilco area where I live. Its historical, cultural, and biological attractions, as well as high inflow of tourists create suitable conditions for rational investments from ecological, political, eco- nomic, and social points of view.
In 1987, Xochimilco was declared a World Heritage Site, and since then continu- ous efforts have been made to preserve it. At present, it is home to Mexican axolotl[6] (ambystoma mexicanum) that has become the symbol of Mexico all over the world.
It’s time to reassess the territorial position of Xochimilco taking into account not only the main needs in the area of environmental protection, but also the needs of the local population, and to build bridges of mutual understanding through ecolog- ical education and sustainable tourism. Today, local population shows interest and concern regarding saving of the environment, and although Mexican organizations keep on working hard to save the lake area, in my opinion, preservation of the com- plex ecosystem of Xochimilco is a global issue. In this connection, Russia could play the key role in restoration of Xochimilco as an investor via public or private partners that are willing to negotiate and reach mutually beneficial agreements. Besides, Rus- sian investments in the ecological issues will create a historical precedent that will be remembered by the entire humankind, as well as promote increased interest of Mexican population in learning the Russian language and culture.
Targeted actions such as establishment of new learning centers and cultural
spaces on the outskirts of Mexico City will be of high importance and political

weight in the upcoming years. If Russia decides to join efforts with the key Mex- ican organizations to implement this task, there is high probability of increased openness and rapprochement between our countries.
Mexico and the population of Xochimilco, in their turn, can assist in the pro- cesses associated with the work in complex and specific environment, such as chinampas[7] and the lake area of the Valley of Mexico, as well as provide access to learning of the Russian language, thus creating positive effect, the main con- tribution of which consists in the establishment of professional connections and cooperation in solving of new environmental challenges.
To summarize, it shall be mentioned that both Mexican and Russian people are shaped by the past with common, but differentiated knowledge on environmental protection, continuity of generations, and preservation of history and collective memory through nature conservation measures; both of our peoples acknowledge the value of our resources and the importance of sovereign control over them. I am absolutely sure that planning and implementation of the policy and official invest- ment plan in the area of sustainable tourism will become the guiding principle of multilateral cooperation and provide space for mutual understanding in the face of common challenges, as well as enable building of bridges that will strengthen multicultural relations between Mexico and Russia.
Healthy environment is a human right, and being an object of cultural heritage of humanity Xochimilco is a priority issue of common interests and one of the most acute challenges of Mexico.
Xochimilco’s potential is awaiting a strategic partner, such as Russia or BRICS countries, in order to change global prospects in the area of sustainable tourism, create economic benefits, and improve the quality of life of Xochimilco residents.