Chairman of the Committee of Senior Officials of the Arctic Council, Norwegian diplomat Morten Heglund addressed the participants of the International Arctic Forum "The Arctic – the territory of dialogue", which is taking place on March 26-27 in Murmansk. He delivered a video message during the session "The Arctic: bridges of cooperation between peoples and states."
"Over the years, the Forum has established itself as the most important platform for dialogue, strengthening international cooperation and promoting sustainable development in the Arctic and the Far North. This year's motto, "Live in the North!" is especially relevant as it highlights the growing challenges faced by Arctic communities and their residents...> I would like to express my gratitude to our Russian colleagues for their active participation and cooperation throughout our presidency. The strength of the Arctic Council lies in its unique composition – an association of Arctic states, permanent participants and observers linked by a common commitment to solving emerging problems and exploiting new opportunities. The issues facing the Arctic are of global importance, and only through international cooperation and collective action can we achieve a sustainable and bright future for all," said Morten Heglund.
He also stressed the importance of cooperation in solving climate problems such as forest fires and melting glaciers. Cooperation with permanent members of the Arctic Council, including the Association of Indigenous Peoples of the North, Siberia and the Far East of the Russian Federation and others, plays an important role in this context.
The topic of international cooperation in the Arctic zone is one of the key topics in the IAF program. The agenda focuses on the environmental well-being of the region, strategies for cooperation between government and business, and interaction within the framework of scientific, humanitarian and cultural dialogue.
"Russia is a leading Arctic power and plays a key role in ensuring sustainable development, environmental security and international dialogue in the northern latitudes. In this regard, any attempts to exclude Russia from the discussion of global issues related to the Far North seem absolutely unacceptable and counterproductive. The Arctic Council is an important mechanism for interaction between stakeholders. We have consistently advocated maintaining a constructive multilateral dialogue on the Arctic agenda in various formats, primarily with partners who share the principles of mutual respect, respect for legitimate interests and adherence to international law. I am convinced that only such an approach can ensure the stability and progressive development of the Arctic region in the long term," said Anton Kobyakov, Adviser to the President of the Russian Federation and Executive Secretary of the Organizing Committee of the International Arctic Forum 2025.
During the session "The Arctic: Bridges of cooperation between peoples and States", participants assessed the prospects for the development of international cooperation, including expanding the use of the Northern Sea Route as a global transport artery, attracting foreign investment in infrastructure projects, strengthening partnerships with non-regional countries, developing scientific cooperation, Arctic tourism and cultural and educational exchanges.
"The urgency of building a mutually respectful and pragmatic dialogue in the North, building bridges of cooperation between the countries remains in any geopolitical conjuncture. Our country has always viewed the Arctic as a territory of peace and cooperation, advocated the absence of dividing lines at high latitudes, reducing tensions, and seeking responsible political and diplomatic solutions to issues on the region's agenda. By firmly defending its national interests in the North, Russia will continue to remain ready to cooperate with all constructive countries, both Arctic and non–regional, including our BRICS partners," said Vladislav Maslennikov, Director of the Department of European Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, senior Russian official at the Arctic Council, who participated in the discussion.
The International Arctic Forum is a key platform for discussing topical issues of socio-economic development of the Arctic territories, developing multi-level multilateral mechanisms for joint disclosure and effective development of the powerful resource potential of the Arctic region. The Forum is organized by the Roscongress Foundation with the support of the Government of the Russian Federation.
Russia's two-year presidency of the Arctic Council ended in 2023. Special attention was paid to four priority areas: "Arctic population, including indigenous peoples", "Environmental protection, including climate change issues", "Socio-economic development", as well as "Strengthening Arctic cooperation". About 90 events have been held in two years.
/ Roscongress Foundation /
