Igor Orlov holds press briefing at ‘Arctic: Territory of Dialogue’ International Arctic Forum

Governor of Arkhangelsk Region Igor Orlov held a press briefing on March 29 for Russian and international media as part of the first day of the ‘Arctic: Territory of Dialogue’ International Arctic Forum business programme.

Mr. Orlov thanked journalists for their high level of interest in the Forum, and said he hoped that extensive coverage of Arctic issues by the regional, federal, and international media would take the Arctic dialogue to a new level.

He also underlined the importance of the International Arctic Forum for Arkhangelsk Region, and highlighted noteworthy features of the Forum’s organization.

“The level of mobilization that has taken place in Arkhangelsk and the surrounding area is, I believe, unlike anything that has been seen before. We were originally talking about having 600 participants at the Forum. However, 1,808 people had registered by after dinner yesterday, almost double the number initially anticipated. This is clear confirmation that the both the theme for the Forum, as chosen by the Government of the Russian Federation, and its location were the right choice”, said the Governor.

Arkhangelsk plays a key role in the industrial exploitation of the natural riches of the polar regions, in scientific research, in environmental work, and in ensuring safety in the Arctic, Mr. Orlov said. As an example of successful work in the Arctic, he cited the construction of a mining and enrichment plant at the Grib Diamond Mine, where one of the biggest diamonds in the history of diamond mining in Russia was recently discovered.

Mr. Orlov also pointed to significant projects in the region, such as the Belkomur project, which includes the construction of a major railway line and the deep water Arkhangelsk sea port. The construction of a mining and enrichment plant for the production and processing of lead-zinc ore at the Pavlovskoye deposit on the Novaya Zemlya archipelago is also planned.

The Governor said he hoped that the Forum would provide a new stimulus for city and regional development.

“We have conducted a detailed assessment of the infrastructure which we already have in order to implement these projects. We have already begun preparations for the 2019 International Arctic Forum and launched a number of projects: we plan to open a new hotel and to build a new exhibition centre. Today we will sign an agreement with Russian Railways for the reconstruction of the railway station. We have numerous plans to develop this region and prepare it to meet participants’ needs at the next forum in 2019”, he concluded.