‘Innovations and Technologies in the Arctic’ Forum in St. Petersburg Presents Youth Projects to Develop Northern Territories

Participants in the ‘Innovations and Technologies in the Arctic’ Youth Forum, which took place on 23–24 March in St. Petersburg, presented research projects for the development of the Arctic territories. The Forum was held as part of the plan of events of Russia’s chairmanship of the Arctic Council in 2021–2023, which are managed by the Roscongress Foundation.

The ‘Innovations and Technologies in the Arctic’ Forum is a cross-cutting event that aims to promote research activities on such issues as essential services, security, and development in the Arctic zone. The business programme participants considered specific aspects of emergency rescue operations in extremely low temperatures and risk factors that are typical in the Arctic zone, how to train personnel to work and conduct research activities in the Far North, as well as ways to supply Arctic settlements with food and modern scientific and technical developments that have the potential for use in high latitudes.

The Forum was attended by representatives of the Ministry for the Development of the Russian Far East and the Arctic, the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations, students and employees of educational organizations and research institutions, leading experts on scientific, technical, and applied developments, as well as members of scientific educational communities.

One of the main events was a case competition among young people to support initiatives for studying and solving topical development issues and ensuring security in Russia’s Arctic zone, promote the self-realization of young people, ways to enhance their competencies and skills, as well as creative thinking among young professionals. The winners of the competition will present their projects at the 1st Arctic Youth Forum ‘The Arctic: The New Generation’ on 21 April.

As part of the Forum’s cultural programme, the participants visited the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute, as well as the Russian State Museum of the Arctic and Antarctic, where they viewed an exposition and heard the lecture ‘The Expedition of Georgy Sedov’.

The Forum was established by the Russian Ministry for Civil Defence, Emergency Situations, and the Elimination of Consequences of Natural Disasters (EMERCOM). The Forum was organized by the St. Petersburg University of the State Fire Service of EMERCOM with the assistance of the Ministry for the Development of the Russian Far East and the Arctic, as well as the St. Petersburg Committee for Arctic Affairs.

Russia is the chair of the Arctic Council in 2021–2023. As chair, Russia aims to promote the fulfilment of youth potential in the Arctic, ensure their access to education, as well as expand and strengthen youth exchanges in a wide range of areas, including volunteering, entrepreneurship, the development of creative industries, the environment, and the improvement of urban areas. Russia supports the Arctic Council’s educational projects for Indigenous children ‘Children of the Arctic’, ‘Nomadic School’, and ‘International Arctic School’, among others, while advocating for the development of cooperation and the exchange of experience in this area. In addition, Russia is in favour of developing and implementing special programmes, professional championships, and training that focus on the country’s northern regions.