The ‘Arctic: Territory of Dialogue’ International Arctic Forum has taken place in Russia since 2010. In accordance with a Russian Government resolution, it has been decided that from 2017 the event will be held regularly, on a biennial basis. The Forum is a key platform for discussing current issues relating to the socio-economic development of Arctic regions and for developing multi-level, multilateral mechanisms for joint discovery and effective exploitation of the Arctic’s rich natural resource potential. Among the Forum’s major participants are official representatives of Arctic and non-Arctic states and international organizations, members of the business, academic, and expert communities within Russia and other nations, and high-profile public figures involved in Arctic-related issues. The international agenda for the Arctic includes such matters as the formulation of a unified regional development policy, implementation of joint economic projects, responsible environmental management in accordance with global environmental norms and standards, and organization of scientific research.
