Organizing Committee of 6th ‘Arctic: Territory of Dialogue’ International Arctic Forum Holds First Meeting
The Organizing Committee of the 6th ‘Arctic: Territory of Dialogue’ International Arctic Forum, which will take place at the Expoforum Convention and Exhibition Centre in St. Petersburg on 11–13 April 2022, discussed the main aspects of preparations for the Forum, such as the creation of business, cultural, and sports programmes and the preparation of the venue and St. Petersburg to host this international event, including with regard to the requirements of the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing.
“On 20 May 2021, Russia took over as chair of the Arctic Council. The main goal of this chairmanship is to ensure the sustainable socioeconomic development of the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation as well as strengthen Russia’s position in the international arena. The chairmanship programme includes more than a hundred events in ten key areas, including on issues concerning the economy, environment, human capital development, support for the indigenous minorities of the Arctic, and others. The central event of the chairmanship will be the International Arctic Forum, to which 2,500 guests from more than 50 countries will be invited,” said Yury Trutnev, the Chairman of the Organizing Committee, Russian Deputy Prime Minister, and Plenipotentiary of the Russian President in the Far Eastern Federal District.
Adviser to the Russian President Anton Kobyakov, who serves as executive secretary of the IAF Organizing Committee, stressed that the Forum is a communication platform for the international community to discuss important issues related to the development of the economic potential of the Arctic territories in compliance with all environmental standards and respect for the unique nature of the Arctic.
“The Forum’s business programme will be all-encompassing and universal. The agenda of the first day is expected to be bolstered by the themes of Russia’s chairmanship of the Arctic Council in 2021–2023. It’s also important to tie in the domestic and international Arctic policies of each member state of the Arctic Council with the UN sustainable development goals for the period until 2030. In addition, social and youth-oriented events are planned, as are creative business [events], which have become an integral part of the Forum’s activity,” Kobyakov said.
Minister for the Development of the Russian Far East and Arctic Alexey Chekunkov reported on the progress that has been made to prepare the architecture of the Forum programme, which consists of eight thematic blocks: ‘Sustainable Economic Growth’, ‘Human Capital Development’, ‘Ecology and Climate Change’, ‘The Northern Sea Route – Sustainable Shipping and Transport’, ‘Priority Sectors of the Arctic’, ‘Post-COVID Healthcare in the Arctic Zone’, ‘Science and Technology’, and ‘Arctic Tourism’. Chekunkov also said that the Forum will feature an Arctic Youth Forum, which could be held at a new site in Arkhangelsk.
St. Petersburg Governor Alexander Beglov spoke about the city’s preparations for the Forum. He noted that St. Petersburg has extensive experience in hosting major international events and also said the city’s scientific organizations and industries are ready to present their latest developments and projects for the Arctic zone at the Forum.
Upon conclusion of the meeting, the Organizing Committee gave instructions regarding the preparation of the city’s infrastructure, hotels, and the Forum venue, while also taking into account the need to observe the sanitary and epidemiological requirements of the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing.