Russia about the Arctic: "Territory of Dialogue"

Russia seeks to demonstrate its Arctic prowess at the International Arctic Forum in Archangelsk 29-30 March 2017. President Putin will attend the event.

On 29-30 March 2017, Russia will be hosting the 4th International Arctic Forum, the theme for which is ‘"Territory of Dialogue". It is not coincidence that the two-day event will take place in Arkhangelsk, located near the White Sea in Russia’s northwestern Arctic corner. The event receives direct support from the Government of the Russian Federation. 

Russian prowess in the Arctic

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.

- It is no coincidence, then, that Arkhangelsk, which is part of the Northern Sea Route, has been selected as the host city for the Forum, Rogozin says.

Russian Arctic ambitions

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 Rogozin 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.

More than 1,000 attendees are expected at the event.