The session "New Exploration of the Arctic" at the "Shaping the Future" International Symposium brought together Russian and international experts to discuss the development of Arctic territories and the Northern Sea Route (NSR). Participants included representatives from government, business, and academia.

Key Priorities for Arctic Development

Igor Levitin, Advisor to the President of Russia and Deputy Chairman of the Russian Marine Board, highlighted the strategic importance of the NSR and Arctic development for Russia's economic growth and sovereignty. He emphasized the need for an integrated approach to developing the Arctic's main transport artery:
"Coastal infrastructure is critical—we need to establish a robust maritime safety system and build quality port facilities. Container hubs are essential in regions like Primorye, Khabarovsk Krai, Murmansk, and Arkhangelsk. Additionally, improving local transportation accessibility and simplifying cargo exchange are vital. Ensuring the stability of northern deliveries is one of our key tasks."

Alexey Chekunkov, Minister for the Development of the Russian Far East and Arctic, underscored the human effort required to sustain economic foundations in the extreme conditions of the Arctic.
"Today, over 30 trillion rubles in investment projects are being implemented in the Arctic zone. This represents a fifth of our economy and Russian exports. A cornerstone project linking the Arctic to other Russian regions and the world is the development of the Northern Sea Route. We have adopted a unified development plan for the NSR, with a total investment of 1.8 trillion rubles by 2035, including 760 billion in budget allocations," said Chekunkov.

The plan includes constructing 10 icebreakers, 116 new ice-class cargo ships, expanded satellite infrastructure, and 14 maritime ports and terminals.

Social and Economic Transformation in Arctic Regions

Andrey Chibis, Governor of Murmansk Oblast, highlighted the importance of improving social infrastructure as part of Arctic development. He noted that in 2022, for the first time since 1989, more people moved to Murmansk for work and living than left the region:
"This is primarily due to economic growth and the creation of new jobs. We are increasingly competitive for skilled and motivated professionals, not only with regions in central Russia but also with Moscow and St. Petersburg. Investments in education, healthcare, sports, and urban improvement have made Murmansk one of the five most comfortable cities with a challenging climate."

The Role of Major Businesses in Arctic Development

Nikolay Utkin, First Vice President and Head of Government Relations at Norilsk Nickel, detailed the company's efforts to expand its ice fleet. Currently consisting of six vessels, the fleet is expected to double the company's NSR cargo capacity from 1.6 million tons per year to 3 million tons by 2028.

International Perspectives and Cooperation

Participants agreed on the importance of cooperation among government, business, and international partners for the sustainable development of the Arctic. The session emphasized creating infrastructure, expanding transportation access, and integrating cutting-edge technologies to unlock the region's full potential.

About the "Shaping the Future" Symposium

The "Shaping the Future" Symposium, held November 4–6, features over 60 sessions covering themes such as humanity’s future, technology, multipolarity, and civilizations. Participants include scientists, futurists, writers, and officials from 101 countries, including Russia, India, Italy, Iran, China, the UAE, Serbia, the USA, and France. Event details and live broadcasts are available at future.russia.ru.

The symposium is the inaugural event of the National Center "Russia," established on July 1, 2024, by Russian President Vladimir Putin. The center highlights Russia’s achievements and preserves the legacy of the "Russia" International Exhibition-Forum with contributions from federal authorities, corporations, and regional governments.