In 2013, the expert community has noticeably shifted its focus on the perspectives for the Arctic development, with two major conferences in Russia within one week, i.e. RIAC’s “The Arctic: Region of Cooperation and Development” in Moscow and “The Arctic: Now and Then” in St. Petersburg.
The latter was held on December 5-6 under the auspices of the Association of Polar Explorers with support of the Russian Ministry for Regional Development and St. Petersburg Government, and gathered almost 400 polar explorers, experts on Arctic infrastructure, representatives of federal and local authorities, businesses, universities and NGOs.
In 2013, the expert community has noticeably shifted its focus on the perspectives for the Arctic development, with two major conferences in Russia within one week, i.e. RIAC’s “The Arctic: Region of Cooperation and Development” in Moscow and “The Arctic: Now and Then” in St. Petersburg.
The latter was held on December 5-6 under the auspices of the Association of Polar Explorers with support of the Russian Ministry for Regional Development and St. Petersburg Government, and gathered almost 400 polar explorers, experts on Arctic infrastructure, representatives of federal and local authorities, businesses, universities and NGOs.
The St. Petersburg forum focused on problems and prospects for developing Russian Arctic territories, with special attention on improvement of transportation for the Far North, modern technologies for preservation of the unique Arctic environment, oil and gas production, electric power supply, personnel training and integrated socio-economic solutions.
Opening remarks were made by Special Representative of the President for International Cooperation in the Arctic and Antarctic and RAS Corresponding Member Arthur Chilingarov, Deputy Minister for Regional Development Sergey Nazarov, governors and their envoys from the Russian North (St. Petersburg; Komi and Sakha republics; Kamchatka and Krasnoyarsk regions; Archangelsk, Murmansk and Omsk regions; Nenets and Yamalo-Nenets autonomous territories). The speakers’ list also included heads of several federal agencies.
At the plenary session, RIAC Deputy Program Director Timur Makhmutov dwelled upon the RIAC’s Arctic program, underlining that it is aimed at bolstering international basis for protection and advancement of Russia’s interests in the Arctic. There also seems to be substantial potential in joining efforts of key Russian Arctic forum organizers. RIAC possesses significant reserves for preparation of analytical papers with practical recommendations and proposals. In 2013, RIAC issued its report “International Cooperation in the Arctic” in Russian and in English.
Key results of this work were presented at the forum by Andrey Zagorsky, Director of IMEMO Department of Disarmament and Conflict Resolution, RIAC expert.
The session chairman Academician Chilingarov pointed out the importance of cooperation between the forum and RIAC on strengthening Russia’s positions in the Arctic vis-à-vis foreign states operating in the North.
Conference "The Arctic: Now and Then", SPb, December 5-6, 2013
