International Arctic Forum 2019 Organizing Committee Session Took Place

On 6 December members of the Organizing Committee for the ‘Arctic: Territory of Dialogue’ 5th International Arctic Forum, which is to take place in Arkhangelsk 9–10 April at the Lomonosov Northern (Arctic) Federal University (NArFU), gathered in Moscow. Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation and Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy to the Far Eastern Federal District Yuri Trutnev chaired the meeting.

The meeting focused on the preparation issues for the Forum, such as business programme structure, participants’ list, and technical aspects of venue’s functioning.

“Arctic can become a foundation for the Russian economy and our primary task is defining what is it that we can do for the country”, said Mr. Trutnev. “We must create an efficient platform to discuss international business projects, improvement of the environmental situation, and economic development of the region. Transportation infrastructure and technical supply questions are of utmost importance here. Yet, our number one goal is to define how is this Forum going to improve the life in the region and in the Arctic as a whole”, he concluded.

Large international companies, related ministries and expert communities contributed over 60 suggestions that laid the foundation for the business programme. Preliminary plan for cultural and sporting programmes has been outlined.

“Apart from economic potential, Arctic has unique cultural heritage. The region has immense possibilities for ecological and ethnic tourism. Thus, at the threshold of the Forum we need to focus on Arkhangelsk’s infrastructure and improvement of service”, said Advisor to the President of the Russian Federation, Deputy Chairman – Executive Secretary of the Organizing Committee Anton Kobyakov. “We expect 2,500 guests and participants, including 500 media representatives from some of the world’s leading countries”, he added.

Igor Orlov, Governor of the Arkhangelsk Region reported on the implementation of the infrastructure improvement plan. “We’re executing transportation and residential improvement plans according to the outlined timeframe. On the whole, the city is ready to host the forum”, said Mr. Orlov. A meeting between the Chairman of the Organizing Committee Mr. Trutnev and the Governor of Arkhangelsk Region Mr. Orlov will follow in Arkhangelsk shortly. A working trip of the Chairman of the Organizing Committee Mr. Trutnev to Arkhangelsk will be held before the New year.

To recap, in 2017 International Arctic Forum gathered over 2,400 participants including over 400 media representatives.

The International Arctic Forum 2019 is organized by the Roscongress Foundation.