A commission of experts has summed up the results of the first round of the Arctic Idea 2015 nationwide competition. The jury, composed of representatives of the contest's founders and foreign experts who have been invited to take part, evaluated 48 entries, the press service of the Lomonosov Northern (Arctic) Federal University reports.

Twelve finalists were selected, three in each of the four categories: Comfort and safety in the Arctic; Arctic equipment and technology in mining, seafood procurement and processing, transport and logistics; Environmental protection and wildlife and nature conservation; and Preservation of the historical and cultural heritage of Arctic explorers.

The second round, during which the finalists will defend their ideas viva voce, will take place in Arkhangelsk on September 15 on the sidelines of the international conference "Ensuring Security and Sustainable Development in the Arctic region, Preserving the Ecosystems and Traditional Lifestyle of the Native Population of the Arctic". Four winners, one in each category, will be announced.

The Arctic Idea competition is being held for the second successive year in cooperation with the Security Council of the Russian Federation, the Novatek natural gas company, the Association of Indigenous Ethnic Minorities of the North, Siberia and the Far East, and the Russian Geographical Society. The Arctic-Info news agency serves as the official information partner for the competition.