St. Petersburg Vice Governor: “Russia’s Arctic leadership must be consolidated”

A conference aimed at promoting St. Petersburg as a hub for innovation-led development and exploration of the Arctic took place on 17 September.

Exploration and development of Russia’s Arctic Region was the main focus of the congress, Russia on the Arctic Council. St. Petersburg’s Potential, held in St. Petersburg on 17 September.

Speaking at the opening, the Vice Governor of St. Petersburg, Eduard Batanov, noted that many Arctic expeditions sailed forth from the banks of the Neva, and Russia’s first Arctic research centres were established in St. Petersburg.

At the plenary meeting, the participants addressed different aspects of Russia’s preparations for taking over the rotating chair of the Arctic Council in 2021–2023 and related regional initiatives.

At one point during the discussion, Vice Governor of St. Petersburg Eduard Batanov stated that “Russia’s leadership in the Arctic needs to be consolidated”.

“Although we are not an Arctic region, St. Petersburg is the de facto coordinating centre for Arctic research and exploration”, said Eduard Batanov.