The meeting of the Committee was structured into four parts to facilitate a more detailed discussion on the most pressing issues of the global agenda, as well as the development of the Russian Far East and the Arctic. The discussion focused on infrastructural connectivity, the development of logistics corridors, sustainable nature management, and cooperation among regions of Russia, North America, and Asia.
The meeting of the Committee was structured into four parts to facilitate a more detailed discussion on the most pressing issues of the global agenda, as well as the development of the Russian Far East and the Arctic. The discussion focused on infrastructural connectivity, the development of logistics corridors, sustainable nature management, and cooperation among regions of Russia, North America, and Asia.
The following off-site events of the Northern Forum on Sustainable Development were organized:
- Foresight Session: "Pacific Northern Forum: Designing Connectivity and Sustainability"
- Strategic Session: "Trans-Arctic Transport Corridor: From the Northern Sea Route to the Arctic-Pacific Partnership of Cities and Regions"
- Round Table: "PRO MINERAL RESOURCES: Integrating the Resource Base and Economies of the Arctic and Far East Regions"
The meeting was chaired by Gavril Kirillin, Minister of External Relations and Ethnic Affairs of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) and Vice-Chair of the Regional Coordinators Committee. Welcoming remarks were delivered by Dmitry Portnov, Deputy Chairman of the Government of the Magadan Region and Regional Coordinator of the Northern Forum, and Igor Kapyrin, Director of the Department for Relations with Subjects of the Federation, Parliament, and Public Associations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia.
The first part of the meeting was dedicated to reviewing plans and new initiatives. Vladimir Vasiliev updated the participants on the progress of the current work plan, membership expansion, and upcoming events until the end of the year, and presented proposals on project management. Overall, the implementation of the plan is proceeding systematically and dynamically, with significant progress achieved on most points. This year's schedule is highly intensive, featuring events both in Russia and abroad.
At the same time, certain issues regarding project activities were addressed. While the establishment of working groups is generally justified, they can only function effectively under the guidance of strong leaders, as demonstrated by the groups on tourism, transport and logistics, and culture. The Committee was invited to consider introducing a tiered classification: coordinators of promising areas, working groups, and project groups. Additionally, it would be beneficial to resume the formal endorsement of prioritized and approved projects. A few existing working groups will be disbanded, while new ones will be created. Numerous initiatives are being submitted; field coordinators will be appointed for these initiatives to prepare well-founded proposals for establishing new structures, groups, or projects (which also encompass events as a form of project activity).
Anatoly Nikolaev, Rector of the M.K. Ammosov North-Eastern Federal University (NEFU) and Chairman of RACAR, provided detailed information on the consortium's activities. He highlighted the scientific conference held within the framework of the Forum in Tomsk and noted that project activities are expanding: a project to establish an Environmental Monitoring Network in the Arctic Zone of Russia is set to launch in the near future.
Anton Vasiliev, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Russia and Advisor to the Rector of NEFU, presented a vision for the participation of Russian universities and scientific organizations, united under the banner of RACAR, in the implementation of projects for the 5th International Polar Year (IPY-5) in 2032–2033. He emphasized to the participants the urgent need to establish the National Committee of Russia for IPY-5 as soon as possible.
