The St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in 2023 was particularly fruitful, concluding more than 900 agreements worth more than RUB 3.8 tn. International cooperation, current trends in Russia's development and growth prospects were discussed among diplomats, regional leaders, directors of major companies, academics, heads of relevant agencies and a number of experts. Polar regions were represented this year at the 'Arctic—Territory of Dialogue' stand, where 15 events raised the most topical issues of sustainable development in the AZRF.

Development prospects

In a speech at SPIEF 2023, Russian President Vladimir Putin called for intensified development of infrastructure along the North Sea Route, where cargo traffic is increasing rapidly. It is not just a question of building a new fleet, import substitution of technologies and growth of the number of voyages but also of a comprehensive modernisation of the Arctic ports, railway and aviation communication systems and energy supply in the AZRF.

For his part, Andrey Chibis, head of the Murmansk Region, pointed out the need to invest in the development of Arctic cities directly involved in the operation of the North Sea Route. 

At SPIEF 2023, many Arctic projects were announced as part of the intensification of the region's development. Nord Group LLC will invest RUB 500 mn in a plant to reproduce valuable fish species in the NAA, and the Indian company SAFFARM will build a RUB 10 bn facility in the Murmansk Region to produce medicines. High-tech industries were not spared—new agreements were made for the construction of a polymer pipe plant in the Arkhangelsk Region and the setting up of the first carrier using drones in NAA.

Tourism was not overlooked either—Vladimir Putin said at the forum that he would allocate RUB 11 bn for the construction of glamping and modular hotels in the country. This should stimulate domestic tourism, which is developing ahead of schedule in the Arctic. 'Residents implement 116 investment projects worth RUB 38.6 bn, and every fourth out of 4,800 hectare recipients opens a tourist or recreational project on their land,' said Elvira Nurgaliyeva, Deputy Head of the Ministry for the Development of the Russian Far East and Arctic. According to her, 1.5 mn tourists visited the Polar region in 2022 alone, and this is far from the limit for today's AZRF.

A separate item at SPIEF 2023 was international cooperation. The forum announced the start of close cooperation between China, India and Russia in terms of Arctic research. The Russian-Asian Consortium, headquartered in Yakutsk, has already been established. There are plans to expand joint work in all areas. For his part, Alexander Makarov, Director of the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute, spoke about possible cooperation with Indonesia in terms of Arctic research.

Building without impact on others

Today's Arctic agenda in Russia combines intensive economic growth with the implementation of large-scale projects to preserve the natural diversity of the fragile tundra ecosystem, the waters and the coastline of the Arctic Ocean. A number of projects dedicated to cleaning up litter in the Arctic are being implemented, involving volunteers. For example, the Russian Geographical Society has announced the creation of a new movement, 'Volunteer of the Arctic,' which plans to begin cleaning up the area around the Khatanga settlement as early as this year. In the future, there are plans to bring together more than 1,500 people for joint participation in polar environmental expeditions.

The interaction between the state, private capital and indigenous peoples of the Arctic was also actively discussed. In the framework of SPIEF events, an agreement was signed between the Krasnoyarsk Territory Government and the Russian Association of Indigenous Peoples of the North. It recorded an increase in the range of support measures for indigenous people, as well as the protection of their rights. As part of the cultural agenda, an 'ABC of the Far East and the Arctic' was presented to promote knowledge about the Arctic Circle and its wonders among the youngest readers. SPIEF 2023 guests were able to learn about everyday life and culture in the Arctic as part of the 'Soul of Russia' International Festival of the Peoples of the North.