In Moscow, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov held the 45th meeting of the heads of constituent entities of the Russian Federation at the Russian Foreign Ministry. The Governor of the Murmansk region Andrey Chibis took part. The meeting discussed the development of the Arctic, a strategically important macro–region for Russia.
"I have no doubt that our country's foreign policy in the Arctic will remain multi-vector and pragmatic. We will continue to work purposefully to solve the tasks set by the country's leadership. As Russian President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin emphasized during his speech at the Eastern Economic Forum in September, a lot of work is underway in the Far East and the Arctic, and we are open to anyone who is willing to participate in it. It is natural to participate on the basis of equality, respect for Russian interests and the principles that underlie cooperation with foreign colleagues in the Russian Arctic," Sergey Lavrov said.
In his report, Governor Andrey Chibis, Chairman of the State Council Commission on the Northern Sea Route and the Arctic, spoke about a comprehensive project for the development of the Arctic and the Transarctic transport corridor.
"Let me remind you that it has already received the support of President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, and now we are actively working on its implementation," the governor noted.
The head of the region stressed that Russia's Arctic territories occupy the largest area in the world, creating up to 10% of the country's GDP with less than 2% of the population. The Russian Arctic has the world's only nuclear icebreaking fleet, and a key resource base is located here: about 80% of gas production and about 10% of oil production, 100% of Russian nickel, rare earth metals, platinoids, and apatite ores come from the Arctic, and the Arctic seas are an important element of the country's fisheries and food security. The Northern Sea Route, which underlies the Transarctic Transport Corridor, is of global importance: it is 40% shorter than the traditional route through the Suez Canal.
"The development of the Arctic today is like space exploration for the USSR. In recent years, thanks to the work of the Russian Government and the decisions of President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, we have certainly achieved good results. They are fixed in the Arctic Development Strategy approved by the head of state," the governor emphasized.
More than 35 trillion rubles of investments have been attracted, and over a thousand projects are being implemented. The historical maximum of cargo traffic along the Northern Sea Route has been reached – up to 38 million tons in 2024. The northern delivery system has been built. Powerful support tools have been created, from a single presidential subsidy to comprehensive master plans for the development of stronghold settlements. The renovation program of the school has been launched. Preferential mortgages at 2% have been extended to the Arctic zone.
"Many of these initiatives were put forward as part of the work of our relevant State Council commission and supported by the President and the Government. However, new conditions dictate the need to create a comprehensive project for the development of the Arctic and the Transarctic transport corridor. We first raised this issue in 2024. Further, this topic was repeatedly discussed within the framework of the Commission and the Maritime Board and secured support in this matter from the heads of federal departments, experts, and heads of the Arctic regions. The President supported the initiative and during the November meeting gave specific instructions on the formation of a comprehensive project, and now it is extremely important to think over all the tasks and parameters, as well as its management model," the governor said.
Andrey Chibis noted that for the development of the TTC, it is necessary to create all the necessary infrastructure, in particular, to ensure the export of the cargo base. The Murmansk transport hub plays an important role here. The goal is to create two powerful hubs: Murmansk in the west and Vladivostok in the east.
Among the projects with international participation that fit into the TTK development concept, the governor highlighted the creation of a multifunctional terminal in Murmansk for transshipment of goods from the Republic of Belarus, as well as active cooperation with Chinese partners on the implementation of joint projects, including the organization of regular container shipments through the port of Murmansk, the development of port infrastructure to increase cargo traffic.
The head of the Murmansk Region also shared the initiatives on Svalbard that he had previously announced at a meeting of the Government Commission led by Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Petrovich Trutnev: the creation of a base for servicing the Russian fishing fleet in the archipelago, as well as the establishment of partnerships between UIA and the new International Scientific and Educational Center in Svalbard.
"We will do everything possible to ensure that these projects open up new opportunities for the Murmansk Region and Russian projects in the Svalbard Archipelago," commented Andrey Chibis.
/Ministry of Information Policy of the Murmansk Region/