From September 27 to 30, experts from different countries will discuss the main issues of sustainable development in the Arctic at 49 platforms. Rector of North-Eastern Federal University Anatoly Nikolaev told more about the Northern Sustainable Development Forum in the program "Spotlight Interview" (in Russian).

The main theme of NSDF-2020 is transport infrastructure in the North and the Arctic, the university rector noted. “Last year, 14 regions of the Russian Federation and foreign states participated, including the Arctic and those who are interested in the Arctic. In last year's forum, topics on sustainable development of the Arctic regions, northern cities, economic and social problems were discussed. This year, the work of the forum is focused on the problem of transport infrastructure,” comments Anatoly Nikolaev.

Now, there is a global warming in the Arctic, the Northern Sea Route is developing, and multinational companies want to develop mining. On the other hand, this is a lowly populated area and without taking into account the balance of public interest and environmental preservation, there will be no development, the rector believes: “NEFU is preparing its development program until 2030. We make our strategy under the basic principles of implementing sustainable development. This is a large international UN program and in this regard the university will not stand back, we will work in this direction."

In order to develop, good logistics, communication between territories are needed for any region, says Anatoly Nikolaev. If there is a year-round communication with the Arctic territories, the development, economic recovery, conditions and quality of life of the population will be much better, he says. “Lensky Bridge, which will be built, is also one of the important steps for the development of the Arctic territories. The connection between the West and the East - then the transition to the northern territories - will give a special impetus to economic development,” said the rector.

At NEFU, more than two hundred programs are aimed at training personnel for the Arctic territories. “Just over hundred students are going to work in the Arctic. This suggests that there are no conditions in the Arctic regions for a young specialist to live and work there. It is necessary to prepare not only personnel, but also a platform for young people to go there and develop. This requires large social programs," sums up Anatoly Nikolaev.

Within the framework of NSDF-2020, experts will discuss issues of sustainable development of the entire Arctic region, including issues related to the northeastern sector of the Arctic, where global changes are taking place that require complex interdisciplinary research with the participation of the international expert community. According to the organizers, it should be taken into account that all climate changes occurring in this region have an impact on global warming.

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The forum has been held in Yakutia since 2019. The Forum is organized by the Government of the republic, the "Northern Forum" and North-Eastern Federal University.

The forum program is available on the event website.