A conference on the economic development of the Arctic will take place as part of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF 2016), Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Prikhodko, head of the SPIEF organizing committee, said, TASS reported.

"This will be the first conference on the economic development of the Arctic to be held on the sidelines of the forum," Mr. Prikhodko said.

The 20^th SPIEF will take place at a new venue, in Shushary, on June 16-18.