Arkhangelsk hosted an international conference on the Arctic regions reclamation.

The international scientific conference “Ensuring Safety and Sustainable Development in the Arctic Region, Preservation of Ecosystems and Traditional Way of Life of the Indigenous Peoples of the North” took place in Arkhangelsk on September 16^th.

The conference was attended by the representatives of the Arctic countries – Denmark, Iceland, Norway, the USA, Finland and Sweden, and the observer states – India, China, South Korea and Singapore.

Russia was represented by the RF Security Council Secretary Nikolay Patrushev, RF President Plenipotentiary in the North-Western Federal District of Russia Vladimir Bulavin, and heads of the Russian Arctic regions.

In his welcome speech Nikolay Patrushev has mentioned that this forum is held for the fifth year in a row.

“It may safely be said that such conferences have become an integral part of the Arctic agenda, as well as traditions of good neighbourly relations and cooperation which are vital for life in these hard conditions. Here today we can see scientists, researchers, and experts from 11 countries that have chosen Arctic as their mission”

Nikolay Patrushev has also read out load a welcome address from the RF President Vladimir Putin. Among other things the address read the following:

“Our priorities in the Arctic region include provision of balance between active economic activities and preservation of unique environment, carefulness towards culture and traditional way of life of indigenous people. We consistently advocate fostering cooperation with the Arctic Council member states in all spheres”

Igor Orlov, the Acting Governor of the Arkhangelsk region, has also delivered an extensive report. He emphasized region’s possibilities and prospects regarding the Arctic reclamation.

— Our region has been the main, and for some years the only base platform and the starting point for Russian activities and research in the Arctic, – the Acting Governor stated.

Igor Orlov described the position that the Arkhangelsk region currently occupies in the High North reclamation. The region accumulates industrial, educational, and infrastructure resources for implementation of the Russian policy in the Arctic.

The Acting Governor highlighted that the region pays special attention to transport development issues: regional airlines are revived; shipping is developed; new rail transportation projects are implemented.

— Crucial role in development of the unified rail road system in the region is devoted to the Belkomur project. On September 3^rd an agreement on joint implementation of this project together with the Chinese corporation “Poly Technologies” was signed in Beijing, – Igor Orlov said. – Belkomur project becomes of key importance under a simultaneous construction of the Arkhangelsk sea port deep water area. This way the best possible transport-logistic scheme aimed at development of Russian cooperation with the European Union, the North and the South Americas, Central and Southeast Asia is created.

The conference was continued with reports of experts and representatives of the Arctic regions.

Press-service of Arkhangelsk region government