About the Forum

The 6th ‘Arctic: Territory of Dialogue’ International Arctic Forum

26–27 March 2025, Murmansk

The slogan of the Forum will be ‘To Live in the North’, which not only symbolizes the desire to create a comfortable living environment in the harsh conditions of the North, but also underscores the region’s strategic importance as a key space for economic development and international cooperation..

The International Arctic Forum is a key platform for discussing current issues concerning the socioeconomic development of the Arctic territories and formulating effective mechanisms for the joint use and development of the Arctic region’s vast resources at various levels.

THIS YEAR THE FORUM WILL PROVIDE A PLATFORM FOR AN EXTENSIVE DIALOGUE ABOUT THE FOLLOWING ISSUES CONCERNING THE REGION’S SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT:

Development of the Northern Sea Route

Ways to attract investment and develop the Arctic resource base

International cooperation and the environment

Development of key settlements

Promotion of scientific and cultural initiatives in the region

Infrastructure and technology

Preferences for Arctic business

Creation of comfortable living conditions

Support for Indigenous minorities of the North

WHY SHOULD I ATTEND THE INTERNATIONAL ARCTIC FORUM?

FIND OUT THE LATEST NEWS ABOUT THE ARCTIC REGION

The Forum provides an opportunity to get the latest information about the current state of the Arctic zone’s economy, including its resources, infrastructure projects, and investment opportunities.

Participants will be able to learn about new strategies and technologies that facilitate business development in the Far North.

SPACE FOR BUSINESS COMMUNICATION AND NETWORKING

Unique conditions have been created to intensify cooperation and the dialogue between representatives of business, government, and society from Russia and other countries.

EXTENSIVE BUSINESS PROGRAMME

Dozens of events in the format of panel sessions, roundtables, debates, business breakfasts, and business dialogues.

The Forum agenda reflects Russia’s comprehensive approach to solving challenges in the Arctic, taking into account long-term prospects.

CULTURAL PROGRAMME AND UNIQUE EVENTS

The dates of the Forum coincide with the 90th Celebration of the North, which features numerous sports events that Forum participants and guests can attend, including winter swimming. On 26 March, there will be a gala show dedicated to the anniversary of the Polar Olympics.

An additional programme is being prepared in the capital of the Arctic to help guests get a true sense of the Arctic:

  • Taste of the Arctic gastrofestival
  • Sami village
  • An exhibition of contemporary art from Russian television personality and Murmansk Region native Andrey Malakhov’s private collection
  • Plays and performances by creative groups from the region, and the Song and Dance Ensemble of the Northern Fleet
  • Demonstration exercises of the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations
  • Tours around the world’s largest city beyond the Arctic Circle
  • Swim in special suits in the ice-free Kola Bay
  • Weekend tours to the region’s main tourist attractions

The cultural programme of the International Arctic Forum also includes the ‘Soul of Russia. The North’ festival, which is part of a sociocultural project to support Indigenous minorities of the North that was launched during Russia’s chairmanship of the Arctic Council in 2021–2023.

“The sixth ‘Arctic: Territory of Dialogue’ International Arctic Forum 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.”

ANTON KOBYAKOV

Adviser to the President of the Russian Federation