The 6th‘Arctic: Territory of Dialogue’ International Arctic Forum is set to take place on 11–13 April 2022 in St. Petersburg.
“On 20 May 2021 Russia took over the Chairmanship in the Arctic Council. We aim to balance the economic, environmental and social development of the region. With this in mind, we have picked “Responsible Management for a Sustainable Arctic” as the motto of this Chairmanship. The agenda includes over a hundred different events dedicated to ten main topics, including economic, environmental and human capital development, as well as support for indigenous Arctic peoples. The biggest platform of the Chairmanship will be the ‘Arctic: Territory of Dialogue’ International Arctic Forum, with 2.5 thousand guests from over 50 countries invited to attend the event,” noted Yuri Trutnev, Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation and Presidential Envoy to the Far Eastern Federal District, Chairman on the Organizing Committee for the ‘Arctic: Territory of Dialogue’ International Arctic Forum.
“The Forum business programme takes into account the priorities of the Russian Chairmanship. Those priorities include socio-economic development of the region, population of the Arctic, environmental protection, and strengthening the role of the Arctic Council as the main platform for multilateral cooperation in the high latitudes. I am confident that the wide range of topics and formats within the business programme will provide ample opportunities to develop new partnerships with the Arctic countries in the area of sustainable development of the region,” said Anton Kobyakov, Advisor to the President of the Russian Federation, Executive Secretary on the Organizing Committee for the ‘Arctic: Territory of Dialogue’ International Arctic Forum.
Economic Development
Business programme architecture includes six thematic tracks.
The Economic Development track will summarize the two years of preferential regime in the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation (AZRF). Participants will discuss issues such as attracting financing for sustainable development projects in the AZRF, best practices for small and medium-sized businesses in the Arctic, green energy, prospects for mineral resources development, and the development of the fishing sector.
Living Conditions in the Arctic
Improving Living Conditions in the Arctic track includes such topics as the growth of cities in the region, the future of the Arctic Hectare programme, the priorities for healthcare in the Far North, the Children of the Arctic education project, as well as the development of Arctic tourism.
Logistics Development in the Arctic track will examine the development of transport opportunities and infrastructure along the Northern Sea Route, sustainable and safe navigation, as well as the prospects for polar aviation. An international seminar on shipbuilding and ship repair in the Arctic is also in the works.
Environmental and Climate-Related Issues in the Arctic track will discuss the role of the Arctic in decarbonization, new approaches and technologies for careful waste management, as well as environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) in the Arctic.
Science and Education
The main topics of the Science and Education in the Arctic track include the development of advanced technologies and digital transformation of the region, energy modernization in the remote areas, new technologies of Arctic transport, as well as international educational cooperation by the Arctic Council member states.
“Living in the Arctic, investing in the region, and building new enterprises here has always been a challenge because of the climate in the Russian north. The development dynamic of this unique territory directly depends on the effectiveness of government support mechanisms, modern technologies, and social programmes. The Russian Arctic is already the world's largest economic zone, a region where breakthrough technologies are used, unique scientific research is conducted, and social infrastructure construction and city reconstruction projects are implemented. At the Forum, we will discuss the results of our work and talk about new, breakthrough solutions aimed at accelerating economic development and creating conditions for people to live and work in comfort,” said Alexey Chekunkov, Minister for the Development of the Russian Far East and Arctic.
International Cooperation
International Cooperation in the Arctic track will include a meeting of the Arctic Economic Council, 1st Franco-Russian Forum on Sustainable Development of the Arctic, 3rd Governors’ Summit of the Northern Forum, as well as country-specific business dialogues that will bring together entrepreneurs from Russia and the Arctic states.
“The Forum architecture reflects many of the key issues on the agenda of the Arctic Council, which Russia chairs in 2021–2023. We invite all our partners to discuss areas of cooperation that are fundamental for the Polar region and its inhabitants, including the indigenous population. We expect that the results of the Forum will make a significant contribution to the development and advancement of the international discussion on sustainable development in the high latitudes,” said Nikolay Korchunov, Chair of the Senior Arctic Officials, Ambassador-at-large of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation.
The youth programme will include the Youth Arctic Forum, which will be held in Arkhangelsk.
A meeting of the State Commission for Arctic Development is also scheduled as part of the Forum.
Detailed information about the business programme architecture can be found on the official Forum website: forumarctica.ru.
For more information go to:
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