The Russian Academy of Sciences' integrated center for Arctic studies may go online at the end of 2016, Arkhangelsk Region Governor Igor Orlov said the arctic.ru.

"Work is underway on developing statute documentation and organizing   a working infrastructure. This is a different story from simply announcing the establishment of this center. I think that all problems will be settled during 2016, after which it will start to operate as a real scientific center," he said.

The Governor also spoke about a project to construct a new building for the center in Arkhangelsk's central part.

"This is an integrated center, so it should put to use everything done both outside and within the Arctic in order to develop and implement projects in the Arctic territory," the Governor said.