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Outcomes of the XV Anniversary International Forum Arctic: Today and the Future named after A. N. Chilingarov: From Plans to Action

On December 9–10, the XV Anniversary International Forum Arctic: Today and the Future named after A. N. Chilingarov was held in St. Petersburg, bringing together more than 2,000 participants. The key outcome of the Forum was the consolidation of a shared understanding of the need to continue the transition from general principles to concrete actions and an individualized approach to the development of the Far North, where standardized solutions are not applicable.

Key Messages and Priorities

• People at the center of the strategy. A people-centered approach became the unifying theme of welcoming addresses and speeches – from President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin to governors of Arctic regions. Infrastructure and economic development must focus on creating comfortable conditions for permanent living and raising children, rather than relying solely on rotational work schemes.
• The Northern Sea Route as the backbone of development. Participants emphasized the need to integrate the Northern Sea Route into the country’s unified transport system. Without this linkage, large-scale plans for macroregional development are unfeasible. Governors of the Arkhangelsk and Murmansk regions, Alexander Tsybulsky and Andrey Chibis, highlighted the importance of advancing the Trans-Arctic Transport Corridor project.
• Technological sovereignty. Participants noted that the era of easy resources has come to an end. Further development requires domestic technologies for offshore projects and ice-class fleets.
• Support for SMEs. The planned reduction, effective January 1, 2026, of the revenue threshold for applying the simplified taxation system from RUB 60 million to RUB 20 million could critically affect small businesses in the Arctic, potentially pushing many enterprises into the shadow economy without generating significant additional tax revenues.
• Implementation of master plans.. The total cost of projects envisaged by master plans in the Russian Arctic Zone amounts to RUB 2.9 trillion. Up to 5% of funding from state programs has already been allocated. A key prerequisite for implementation is guaranteed attraction of private investment.

Practical Solutions and Initiatives

In addition to strategic discussions, the XV Anniversary International Forum Arctic: Today and the Future named after A. N. Chilingarov served as a platform for launching concrete initiatives:

1. Preserving the traditional way of life of Indigenous peoples. During a session on supporting Indigenous small-numbered peoples, speakers noted a shift from compensation mechanisms to a partnership model, where communities become active participants in territorial development. A tripartite agreement was signed between the Federal Agency for Ethnic Affairs of Russia, the Association of Indigenous Small-Numbered Peoples of the North, Siberia and the Far East of the Russian Federation, and Norilsk Nickel to promote sustainable development of Indigenous communities.
2. Human capital for the Arctic: a focus on youth:
• As part of the Meeting of Generations project, which for the third time became the Forum’s youth platform, 800 school students competed for a unique prize – a fully funded educational trip to one of the Arctic regions, including excursions and career guidance activities.
• The youth session The Arctic Is Your Growth Vector featured a direct dialogue between students, Arctic employers, and government officials on opportunities for self-realization.
• Winners of the creative competition The Arctic and Me, dedicated to the 80th anniversary of Victory and the heroes of the Arctic, were announced.
3. Develop while preserving. Speakers of the environmental track, held with the support of VTB Bank (PJSC), emphasized that balancing ecology and economy is a critical condition for Arctic development. A cooperation agreement was signed between the Government of the Arkhangelsk Region and the National Committee of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.
4. Restoring historical geographical names. Mikhail Slipenchuk, President of the Association of Polar Explorers, presented the first outcomes of the expedition Russian Antarctica – Under the Southern Cross and the Chilingarov Course conference held at Bellingshausen Station on November 27.
5. The Year of Geography. Proposals were developed to promote the Arctic for inclusion in the program of the Year of Geography, planned for 2027.

The Forum reaffirmed its role as a key public platform for shaping practical solutions for the future of the Arctic, based on long-term planning, technological independence, and prioritizing quality of life. All proposals voiced during the XV Anniversary International Forum Arctic: Today and the Future named after A. N. Chilingarov will be systematized into a public resolution for the Government of the Russian Federation. As noted by ASPOL Vice President Andrey Grachev, the most pressing issues will form the basis of topics for the Direct Line with the President on December 19.

Forum Organizer – Interregional Public Organization Association of Polar Explorers.
General Partner – Norilsk Nickel (PJSC).
Official Sponsor – VTB Bank (PJSC).
Section partners – ANO Energy of Development of Rosatom State Corporation and Gazprom Invest LLC.
General Media Partners – TASS Russian News Agency and RIA Novosti.