Murmansk to hold International Arctic Forum on 26–27 March
“The sixth International Arctic Forum ‘Arctic: Territory of Dialogue’ will be held in Murmansk on 26–27 March, marking the first time the city has hosted the event. The choice of venue is no coincidence: Murmansk Region is one of the few Russian regions that is located entirely in the Arctic zone, as well as the largest economic zone in the world with a single set of tax and administrative preferences. I am confident that the event will unite the efforts of government bodies, international organizations, and representatives of the scientific and business communities of Russia and the rest of the world for an open discussion of the most pressing issues of the sustainable growth of the Arctic region, which is especially important given the geopolitical changes that are taking place in the world today,” said Adviser to the President of the Russian Federation and Executive Secretary of the Organizing Committee of the International Arctic Forum Anton Kobyakov.
The International Arctic Forum is a key platform for discussing current issues relating to the socioeconomic development of Arctic regions and for developing multi-level, multilateral mechanisms for joint discovery and effective exploitation of the Arctic’s rich natural resource potential.
“The discussion of issues of sustainable development of Arctic territories at the International Arctic Forum will attract additional attention to the challenges and prospects facing Russia in the region. Key discussion topics right now include the development and implementation of advanced, innovative solutions, the development of the Northern Sea Route, the creation of new logistics chains, the preservation of the unique nature of the Arctic region, tourism support, job creation, and improving state support for investment projects in the Arctic. The International Arctic Forum has become an effective tool for the development of Russia’s northern territories,” stressed Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy to the Far Eastern Federal District, and Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the International Arctic Forum Yury Trutnev.
The last International Arctic Forum, held in St. Petersburg in 2019, brought together more than 3,600 participants from 52 countries – representatives of Russian and international political, scientific, and business circles, as well as leading media outlets and members of the public. Forty five agreements were signed at the Forum worth a total of 69.8 billion roubles (including agreements where the figures were not classified as a commercial secret).
The Russian Federation served as Chair of the Arctic Council in 2021–2023. Its programme of activities as Chair included more than one hundred events in ten main areas, such as economics, environment, human capital development, support for the indigenous peoples of the Arctic, and others.
The International Arctic Forum is organized by the Roscongress Foundation.