The Arctic Zone is Becoming Not Only a Region of Advanced Economic Development, But Also a Laboratory for the Development of Advanced Technologies

The issues of development and support of Russian nature-saving life support technologies, research in this area, development of education in the context of environmental problems, climate change and environmental pollution were discussed by the conference participants on the platform of the National Technology Initiative “The Future of Humanity and the Future of Green Energy: Together or Against”

The event was attended by the Ambassador-at-Large of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Senior Official of the Arctic Council from Russia Nikolai Korchunov, Adviser to the Minister for the Development of the Far East and the Arctic Olga Smirnova, Special Representative of the President of the Russian Federation for Digital and Technological Development Dmitry Peskov, Executive Director, Institute Arctic Technologies MIPT Yuri Vasilyev, Governor of the Murmansk Region Andrey Chibis, General Director of InEnergy Alexey Kashin, Director of the EnergyNet Infrastructure Center Dmitry Kholkin, Director of the Russian Center for Arctic Development Non-Commercial Partnership Andrey Umnikov.

Korchunov noted that the main priority of Russia’s chairmanship in the Arctic Council is to ensure sustainable development of the Arctic region, a balanced combination of environmental protection and the economic components. According to the diplomat, the Arctic zone is becoming not only a region of advanced economic development, but also a laboratory for the development and testing of advanced technologies. “We see the growing importance of the Arctic, which is not only a region vulnerable in terms of climate change, but also a region that is making an increasing contribution to the global energy transition,” he added. “We need solutions that are scientifically and economically verified, first of all, and which is in demand in terms of providing low-emission energy in the Arctic region.”

Earlier, projects for the construction of Snezhinka international Arctic stations in the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug and the Murmansk Region were considered by the State Commission for the Development of the Arctic, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister – Plenipotentiary of the President in the Far Eastern Federal District Yuri Trutnev. The stations will become a scientific and educational platform for researchers and developers of new technologies in the Arctic. On the territory of the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug, a station will be created to conduct scientific research in the harsh climatic conditions of permafrost based on renewable sources of wind and solar energy and hydrogen energy. In the Murmansk region, it is planned to place a station on a mixed power supply for the implementation of scientific and educational programs.

“It is important for us to actively develop the humanitarian agenda in the Arctic and work on the topic of new educational programs, scientific research aimed at carbon-free energy and a hydrogen program, with a great emphasis on environmental protection. The topic of the Arctic is now acute from the point of view of global competition, so we need as many educational and scientific programs as possible. This will allow us to minimize disputes and conflicts, work more closely to save the Arctic, use its resources efficiently and safely for the environment, and attract interesting people here who are capable of making scientific discoveries, ”said Andrey Chibis.

Olga Smirnova stressed that the station will allow more attention to be paid to scientific research in terms of technologies that will be used in the Arctic zone, and noted the good pace of the project and the uniqueness of the projected facilities. “In 2023-2024 we will be able to see concrete results of the project. The design of colossal complexity is underway, this is a unique object, both in Yamal and in the Murmansk region, added the adviser to the head of the Ministry for the Development of the Russian Far East. – “Snowflake” was announced in the framework of Russia’s chairmanship in the Arctic Council. We are obliged to fulfill our obligations. “

As noted by Yuri Vasiliev, stations will be built in Yamal and in the Murmansk region, which have never been created in the world before. “Of course, technologies play a key role, but the task is not only to demonstrate them, but also to make the target flow of educational programs. Our senior pupils, students, postgraduates, undergraduates, all scientific youth should fall in love with the Arctic, to make it clear that the future is approaching, and to interest them in being involved in the development of the Arctic, ”the MIPT representative summed up.