RIAC Holds Discussion on Integrated Management of Arctic Marine Space
Short version
On October 11, 2018, RIAC held a discussion focusing on integrated management of marine spaces in the Arctic Ocean beyond national jurisdictions. The meeting started with the presentation of a draft report on this issue moderated by Andrey Zagorsky, RIAC Member, Director of IMEMO RAS Department of Disarmament and Conflict Resolution, following the discussions at the round table organized by RIAC on May 16, 2018.
Full version
On October 11, 2018, RIAC held a discussion focusing on integrated management of marine spaces in the Arctic Ocean beyond national jurisdictions. The meeting started with the presentation of a draft report on this issue moderated by Andrey Zagorsky, RIAC Member, Director of IMEMO RAS Department of Disarmament and Conflict Resolution, following the discussions at the round table organized by RIAC on May 16, 2018.
The following key issues were addressed:
— options for the formation of a regional mechanism (mechanisms) for integrated marine environmental management in the Arctic,
— assessment, ranking, and alternatives to the proposed mechanisms for integrated marine environmental management,
— research in order to support the spatial planning in the marine Arctic.
The participants of the discussion noted the importance of the topic stated for discussion, underscoring the need to develop approaches to protect Russia’s interests in the Arctic at all levels of regional interaction. Systematic and continuous work should be performed to clarify the conceptual framework to determine the formats and quality of international cooperation in the area of ecology and environmental protection. Experts noted, there are frequent cases when measures limiting the sovereign rights of states are carried out under the environmental flag. Special attention should be paid to strengthening the existing mechanisms and regimes regulating international activities in the Arctic, protecting the regional interests of coastal states, and preventing the activities that ruin such mechanisms.
Representatives of relevant ministries (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Natural Resources), experts and researchers from academic institutions and analytical centers (IMEMO, Institute of State and Law, Regional Consulting Institute, Institute of Legislation and Comparative Law under the Government of the Russian Federation, Scientific and Research institute of motor transport (NIIAT, Ministry of Transport), leading universities (MGIMO, RANEPA, Moscow State University, Military Academy of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Russia), NGOs (WWF Russia), media and business communities (Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs, Arctic Herald journal, OOO Gekon) took part in the discussion.
Timur Makhmutov, RIAC Deputy Director of Programs, moderated the discussion.