With Arkhangelsk forum, Russia seeks to reinforce the Arctic’s international importance

A forum in Arkhangelsk in late March will give Russia a chance to demonstrate its Arctic prowess.

Russia will host the 4th International Arctic Forum, the theme for which is “The Arctic: Territory of Dialogue,” from March 29-30. President Vladimir Putin is set to attend.

It is not coincidence that the two-day event will take place in Arkhangelsk, located along the Northern Sea Route near the White Sea in Russia’s northwestern Arctic corner. The event receives direct support from the Government of the Russian Federation.

Dmitry Rogozin, Chairman of the State Commission for Arctic Development, claims high ambitions for the event:

“The ‘Arctic: Territory of Dialogue’ International Arctic Forum, which will take place in Arkhangelsk in March next year, seeks to achieve ambitious goals. As part of this event, we plan to demonstrate Russia’s significant achievements in developing the Arctic despite the current political situation and the international pressure on Russia,” Rogozin says.

This comes at a time when Russia has filed an application with the UN, requesting an extension of its boundaries on the continental shelf in the Arctic Ocean.

The Russian State Commission for Arctic Development’s agenda for 2017 is equally ambitious and includes “securing sustainable and efficient sources of energy in the Arctic region” as well as “establishing the development concept for the Arctic transport through to 2030.”

Commission Chairman also holds the position of Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation and will, together with Russian President Vladimir Putin, attend the two-day event in Arkhangelsk in March.