Annual Report of the Arctic and Antarctic Expert Advisory Board at the Federation Council (2016)

In 2016, the main directions of the Arctic Zone Development Strategy of the Russian Federation were covered by the adopted State Program Social and Economic Development of the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation up to 2020 (State Program) and the Decree of the President of Russia On the Land Territories of the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation.This Report outlines the goals and objectives set out in the relevant Strategy and State Program. The Arctic and Antarctic Expert Advisory Board at the Federation Council (Council) tried to concentrate not only on the problems that arise in the course of social and economic development of the Arctic zone, but also analyze the main trends in the social and economic development in 2016.

In addition, this report summarises the materials for 2010 to 2016, and reflects the most important issues, taking into account the particulars of 2016 (Russia’s application to the United Nations regarding the extension of the continental shelf in the Arctic, impact of sanctions on the activities of economic entities in the Arctic, as well as a whole number of other questions).

The implementation of the program for the development of the Arctic zone of Russia will enable further development of economic sectors, creation of an economic, social, scientific, technical, and educational infrastructure that will ensure the extraction, transportation, refining of oil and gas, and obtaining of new knowledge that will contribute to the development of new industries. A cooperation platform for the entire expert community in the Arctic has been formed, primarily the State Commission for the Arctic Development and its Scientific Advisory Board.

Key issues related to the development of the Arctic zone of Russia in 2016: need for a special economic policy in the Arctic zone; creation of territories for advanced social and economic development in the Arctic zone; urgent issues of international and interregional cooperation between business associations in northern territories and the Arctic zone, etc.