Moscow hosted a Senior Arctic Officials meeting to coordinate scientific research in the Arctic. The meeting was part of the Russian chairmanship of the Arctic Council.

“Russia’s chairmanship aims to improve the efficiency of research and the practical applicability of its results in the Arctic. We intend to optimize the use of the research infrastructure and promote advanced technology and best practices in implementing joint projects," stressed Nikolai Korchunov, the Russian Foreign Ministry’s Ambassador at Large and Chairman of the Senior Officials Committee of the Arctic Council.

He said that the Snowflake International Arctic Station may become a platform for international cooperation at high latitudes in Yamal. The project for joint research on carbon-free energy was proposed by Russia at a meeting of the Arctic Council’s working group on sustainable development in 2019 and was supported by Arctic nations.

The meeting participants discussed the need to determine common priorities in Arctic scientific studies, strengthen international research cooperation, and hold joint research competitions, as well as the possibility of setting up a coordination committee for scientific work in the Arctic and a common research database of the Arctic countries.

The results of the discussion on Russia’s initiatives will be presented at the Arctic Council plenary meeting in Salekhard on December 1-2.