Top Arctic stories of the week, 28 February -- 5 March 2022

Below is a recap of this week’s posts by Alexander Stotskiy (CEO, Project Office for Arctic Development) analyzing major international, national and regional events and trends in the Arctic.

Western partners decided to suspend activities in the Arctic Council

Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and the United States issued a joint statement announcing their decision to pause cooperation in the Arctic Council. In light of the unfolding situation in Ukraine, their representatives “will not travel to Russia for meetings of the Arctic Council”; additionally, these states “are temporarily pausing participation in all meetings of the Council and its subsidiary bodies”. However, Russia is still open to responsible cooperation in the High North, this country’s Ministry for the Arctic and Far East says. Read more…

Krasnoyarsk Economic Forum held in Siberia

On 2-4 March 2022, the 18th Krasnoyarsk Economic Forum -- one of key Russian economic conferences focusing on regional development -- took place. This year’s forum was themed “Siberia: Economy of the Future”. At a series of panel sessions, experts discussed the transition of Siberian cities to a better quality of life, improving development policies in light of emerging community demands, and transforming Siberia into a flagship green region. Read more…

Scientists unveiled Yamal water monitoring findings

A team of researchers from the Science Center for Arctic Studies presented the key findings of a study into water body pollution in Yamal, Russian Arctic. The monitoring operations were performed in various parts of the region. The goal of the study was to identify and forecast the processes that impact water quality and condition in the region’s water bodies. These findings will be used in decision-making with regard to cleaning up the most polluted coastal zones. Read more…

Nord Stream 2 project operator fires employees

Swiss-based Nord Stream 2 AG has reportedly fired its employees “following the recent geopolitical developments”. However, the company denies rumors regarding its alleged plans to file for insolvency. Nord Stream 2 AG is a Gazprom’s subsidiary established to operate the Nord Stream 2 pipeline with a planned capacity of 55 bcm of natural gas per year. The pipeline was supposed to deliver natural gas to Europe from major gas deposits in the Russian Arctic. Read more…

Government plans to subsidize domestic shipping via the Northern Sea Route in 2022

In 2022, the Russian Federal Government intends to give support to an initiative to launch a regular shipping line on the Northern Sea Route. Some 560 million rubles will be allocated to subsidize at least two voyages of cargo vessels from North-West Russia to the Russian Far East. The draft subsidy regulations have already been submitted by the Ministry to the Government. Read more…

BP and Equinor exit from joint ventures with Rosneft

This week BP announced its decision to sell its stock in Rosneft, Russian major oil producing company. In turn, Norwegian state-owned company Equinor, which has been active in Russia for more than 30 years, has decided to exit from its projects in this country, including those implemented together with Rosneft. The decision has been taken in light of the ongoing situation in Ukraine, both companies say. Read more…