On August 17-21, Moscow State University (MSU) hosted a regional conference of the International Geographical Union (IGU). The theme was Geography, Culture and Society for Our Future Earth.

The conference focused on polar studies, climate change and forecasting natural disasters, global conflicts, urban environment and geographical education. A separate panel discussion was devoted to each area.

Arctic studies were discussed at a roundtable "International Scientific Cooperation in the Arctic — Key to the Region's Sustainable Development" and at thematic sessions.

"Two issues are of paramount importance — delineating Arctic borders, extending the 200-mile economic zone and climate change. After all, all existing models show that Arctic latitudes will be the most susceptible to warming. Natural hazards are compounded by man-made hazards, related to the exploitation of natural resources. All of this lies within the focus of our sessions," Sergei Dobrolyubov, dean of the MSU Department of Geography and corresponding member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, said.

The IGU holds regional conferences each year. The Moscow conference was attended by over 1,600 delegates, including about 900 foreign experts.