Anton Kobyakov at the International Arctic Forum 2025: The Arctic is the main geopolitical and geoeconomic pole of the future

The world is currently expressing unprecedented interest in the Arctic, which is the main geopolitical and geoeconomic pole of today and tomorrow, Adviser to the Russian President and Executive Secretary of the 6th ‘Arctic: Territory of Dialogue’ International Arctic Forum’s Organizing Committee Anton Kobyakov said during a press conference.

“Representatives of 21 countries – roughly 1,300 people, including delegates from the United States, as well as our European and Asian colleagues – have already taken part in the Forum events. It is symbolic that the main Arctic forum is being held in conjunction with the 500th anniversary of the most important event in the history of the Russian Arctic’s development, which is being celebrated this year: the drafting of the first design of the Northern Sea Route and the first map of the Arctic Ocean’s shores. And just a few days ago, on 10 March, the Russian president signed a decree on the creation of an Organizing committee in charge of preparing for and holding the celebration of this significant date,” Anton Kobyakov said.

The Arctic is of strategic importance for Russia and generates more than 15% of the country’s GDP, he said. The region contains reserves of fresh water, energy resources, and minerals, including rare earth metals. In addition, high-latitude territories play a key role in the establishment of trade chains using the Northern Sea Route and also help ensure the country’s defence capabilities. The future development of the Arctic should be based on improving people’s quality of life by modernizing infrastructure and social facilities, ensuring transport accessibility, and diversifying the economy.

“The Arctic is becoming a territory of opportunities for the entire country at this very moment. Considering the changes in traditional technological chains and taking into account involvement in major Arctic projects, huge prospects are opening up for enterprises and creative people across the country. The development of the Northern Sea Route as the main transport artery in the Arctic and the construction of new railway approaches to northern ports will also have a multiplier effect for the entire country,” Anton Kobyakov said.

Russia’s achievements in developing the Arctic must be promoted on globally, he said.

“As part upcoming major international forums, including the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum and the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, the Arctic theme will be taken into account and given a separate block in the business event programme,” he said.

            The 6th ‘Arctic: Territory of Dialogue’ International Arctic Forum is a key platform to discuss topical issues concerning the socioeconomic development of the Arctic territories and the creation of multi-faceted, multilateral mechanisms that can both unleash and effectively develop the Arctic region’s powerful resource potential. The Forum events were managed by the Roscongress Foundation with the support of the Russian government.

For more about the Forum, please visit the website forumarctica.ru.