A roundtable on the scientific exploration of the Arctic, sponsored by the Russian Geographical Society and Rosneft, was held at the Arctic Scientific Centre on 21 July.

For the first time, scientists have discussed the possibility of elaborating a special interdisciplinary programme for the comprehensive Arctic research which will set out the principles for special rules on economic activity in the region, including clear environmental rules on Arctic shelf development. The participants discussed what the priorities should be in Arctic research as well as the key issues relating to international scientific cooperation.

Special Representative of the Russian President on International Cooperation in the Arctic and Antarctic, President of the State Polar Academy Artur Chilingarov acted as the roundtable’s moderator.

The meeting was also attended by Vasily Bogoyavlensky, Head of the Laboratory for Comprehensive Geological and Geophysical Research and Development of the Oil and Gas Resources of the Continental Shelf under the Russian Academy of Science’s Institute of Oil and Gas; Alexander Danilov, Deputy Director of the Federal Service for Hydrometeorology and Environmental Monitoring’s Research Institute for the Arctic and Antarctic; Vladimir Kotlyakov, Member of the Russian Academy of Science (RAS), Director of the RAS Institute of Geography, and Honorary President of the Russian Geographical Society; Vyacheslav Rozhnov, DSc in Biology, Deputy Director of the RAS Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Head of the Behaviour and Behavioural Ecology Laboratory, Head of the Russian Academy of Sciences Permanent Expedition for the Study of Red Data Book Animals and Other Important Wildlife in Russia; Gennady Matishov, Director of the Murmansk Marine Biology Institute, and others.

The experts recognized the importance of and clear need for resource development on Russia’s Arctic continental shelf and the associated implementation of new approaches to working and doing research in the region. The roundtable participants also discussed environmental issues, which are a key component of Arctic development.