On October 22, the Coordination Center of the Government of the Russian Federation hosted a Strategic Session "On the Development of the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation." The participants of the session discussed the progress of the Implementation of the Plan for the Arctic Development Strategy realization until 2035, as well as new strategic initiatives.
Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation - Plenipotentiary Representative of the President of the Russian Federation in the Far Eastern Federal District Yuri Trutnev and the head of the Ministry for the Development of the Far East and Arctic Alexey Chekunkov reported to Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin on the infrastructure and social projects implemented at the first stage of the Plan, the volumes of investments attracted, and also presented proposals for new initiatives. The event was held with the participation of governors of the Arctic zone regions, heads of federal ministries and departments.
"The main challenge we responded to at the first stage was increasing the business attractiveness of the Arctic. Since 2020, we have managed to create unique conditions for doing business. The total volume of investment projects implemented in the Arctic has already exceeded 30 trillion rubles. And all the work on the infrastructure and social development of the Arctic zone is aimed at ensuring that these investments take place. As a result, a new revenue base will be created for the Russian economy for decades to come," emphasized the head of the Ministry for the Development of the Russian Far East, Alexey Chekunkov.
During the Strategy Session, new initiatives were also discussed that will help strengthen efforts to achieve the goals of accelerated socio-economic development of the Arctic.
Thus, by analogy with the Far East, it has been proposed to create a fund of affordable rental housing in the Arctic and introduce a new construction standard, the “Arctic Quarter,” to reduce the number of empty residential premises.
A number of initiatives for the implementation of digital solutions and new technologies have been presented.
“First, we need to create a register of such technologies, collecting all practices from the field of science, business and Arctic cities,” said the Head of the Ministry for the Development of the Russian Far East.
Another technological initiative is the creation of an international research center in the Arctic with the participation of BRICS countries.
New models of efficient logistics in the Arctic, expansion of shipping capabilities, methods of providing medical care to hard-to-reach and remote settlements, primarily Arctic support cities, the creation of regional centers for mobile medical teams and the introduction of telemedicine were also proposed. In the field of education - the creation of modern workshops based on colleges to meet the needs of the economy. A similar program in the Far East has had great success.
"Today we discussed the results of the work on the first stage of the Implementation Plan for the Arctic Development Strategy. Much has already been done. But obviously new challenges have emerged, and we sought answers to them today within the framework of the Strategic Session. The Prime Minister gave instructions on a wide range of issues, including the introduction of new technologies and tools for the development of the economy and social sphere, and improving the quality of life of people,” said the Head of the Ministry for the Development of the Russian Far East following the session.
