The Arctic: Territory of Dialogue
On September 21-23, 2011, Arkhangelsk will host the 2nd International Arctic Forum “The Arctic: Territory of Dialogue”, which will take place at the Northern Arctic Federal University.
The forum will be organised by the Russian Geographical Society with the support of the Archangelsk region administration. RIA Novosti will be the official media partner of the forum.
Since the foundation of the Russian Geographical Society, exploration and study of the Arctic region was among Society’s key areas of activity. Such celebrated polar scientists and explorers as Otto Schmidt, Yuriy Shokalsky, Sergey Obruchev, Artur Chilingarov were or are members of the Russian Geographical Society. The Society was among the organisers of the 1st International Polar Year in 1882-1883. Two presidents of the Russian Geographical Society were involved in exploration and research in the Arctic region – Lev Berg studied the Arctic seas ice regime, whereas Stanislav Kalesnik took part in the study of the Novaya Zemlya archipelago’s natural environment.
It is not by chance that Archangelsk was chosen to host the forum – it was the native city of the outstanding Russian scientist Mikhail Lomonosov. In 2011, Russia will mark 300 years since his birthday.
Discussions at the 2011 forum will revolve around the following issues: navigation in the Arctic; international cooperation in the scientific exploration of the Northern regions; and the Northeast Passage (the Northern Sea Route). The forum will draw noted scientists, representatives of NGOs, policy makers, businessmen, and public figures both from Russia and overseas.
The 1st International Arctic Forum “The Arctic: Territory of Dialogue” took place in September 2010 in Moscow, and became Russia’s first high level platform for scientific discussion and expert exchange of opinions regarding the Arctic. Topics discussed at the forum focused on exploration and development of the region combined with sustainable use of natural its resources to maintain the fragile ecological balance. The 2010 forum laid a foundation for effective international cooperation on the current issues, facing the Arctic region.
For additional information, please contact the Russian Geographical Society’s press service at 8-800-700-1845 or send us an e-mail at Press@rgo.ru
