The "The Arctic is a Territory of Dialogue” International Forum, held in Moscow on September 22-23, is organized on the initiative of the Russian Geographical Society (RGS).

The main topics of the Forum are contemporary issues in the Arctic in the context of national interests and international dialogue, environmental preservation and development of Arctic natural resources.

The forum was attended by the Chairman of RGS, Sergei Shoigu, the reigning prince of Monaco Albert II, the special presidential representative for international cooperation in the Arctic and Antarctic, the President of FPLB, A.N. Chilingarov, the rector of Lomonosov Moscow State University, V.A. Sadovnichy, Dean of the Faculty of Geography of Moscow State University, N.S. Kasimov, the chairman of the Committee of Senior Officials of the Arctic Council, Lars Moller (Denmark). The forum involved over 300 representatives from scientific and public organizations, governmental and business organizations from Russia, Norway, Canada, Monaco, France, Finland, Iceland, USA, Germany, Great Britain, Switzerland, Sweden, Holland, Denmark, Italy, and the Czech Republic.

The Prime Minister, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the RGS, Vladimir Putin, referring to the participants of the Forum, said, "Russia plans to revive and strengthen its scientific presence in the Arctic, to support basic research, including those that are led by the international teams of scientists and experts."
He stressed that it is necessary to create a comfortable environment for people's lives and to preserve economic lifestyle of indigenous peoples and minorities in the Arctic .This is the primary challenge that the State faces in the development of the Arctic.

 M. Slipenchuk in his report "Investment Attractiveness of the Far North. Points of Growth", developed this topic. "The development of the traditional economy, arts and crafts of indigenous peoples and minorities of the North is impossible without the development of infrastructure, in particular, the Northern Sea Route," he said, stressing that solving these issues, including - the development of ports, can be achieved through public-private partnerships with international participation. Speaking about the problems of the global climate change, M.V. Slipenchuk emphasized that the melting Arctic ice could result in positive economic opportunities for Russia.

Based on materials from RIA Novosti