International Arctic Forum, Norilsk Renovation, and Environmental Studies

Photo: Mikhailov Konstantin/GeoPhoto.ru

International Arctic Forum, Norilsk Renovation, and Environmental Studies

The International Arctic Forum (also known as The Arctic: Territory of Dialogue), one of major international events on high latitudes, will be hosted in St. Petersburg on 11-13 April 2022. According to Roscongress, a public events agency responsible for organizing this forum, the latter will be themed around improving the quality of life in the High North, coordinating conservancy efforts, ensuring sustainable development in the Arctic, and promoting circumpolar cooperation.

Ensuring an effective renovation of the infrastructure and housing of Norilsk, the world’s second largest city above the Arctic Circle, is regarded as a top priority not only by local administration, but also in Moscow. According to regional authorities, a draft renovation plan for Norilsk, which will require a solid public investment, will be considered by the federal government in the near future. Federal funds for the plan are expected to be allocated in 2022.

On 18 August, one more environmental expedition set off for the Russian Arctic. In the coming weeks, a team of researchers from the Russian Ecological Society will collect water samples in the rivers of Arkhangelsk Oblast as well as in the Dvina Bay of the White Sea. The samples will be lab tested to determine the level of contamination with microplastics, heavy metals and petroleum products (if any). Apart from this, researchers will perform a series of forest studies in Kholmogory District of the same region.
Alexander Stotskiy
20 August 2021
Arctic Today