“Murmansk is the starting point of the Northern Sea Route and an important strategic area for the development of the Russian Arctic. This year the International Arctic Forum was successfully held here. It brought together about 1.3 thousand participants and media representatives from 21 countries, as well as around 230 representatives of Russian and foreign businesses from more than 110 companies. We see that interest in the Arctic agenda is growing. Our country is committed to mutually beneficial cooperation with all interested states and is open to international collaboration. I am confident that the International Arctic Forum will continue to be an important platform for discussing urgent issues of the Arctic agenda,” said Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation and Plenipotentiary Representative of the President of the Russian Federation in the Far Eastern Federal District, and Chairman of the Organizing Committee for the preparation and holding of the ‘Arctic: Territory of Dialogue’ International Arctic Forum, Yuri Trutnev.
“Murmansk is the Arctic gateway of Russia. Holding the International Arctic Forum in the region symbolizes not only the development of key Arctic projects but also the importance of the world’s largest economic zone with a unified set of tax and administrative preferences. The Arctic accounts for about 6 per cent of Russia’s GDP and around 10 per cent of total exports due to the region’s resources. It plays a key role in forming trade chains along the Northern Sea Route and ensures the country’s defense capability. Hosting the Forum will support the intensive development of infrastructure, innovation and new economic opportunities in the Arctic region, which will have a multiplier effect for the entire country,” noted Adviser to the President of the Russian Federation and Executive Secretary of the Organizing Committee for the preparation and holding of the ‘Arctic: Territory of Dialogue’ International Arctic Forum, Anton Kobyakov.
The Murmansk Region demonstrates stable development despite external pressure and sanctions. According to the regional government’s forecast, the gross regional product is expected to reach 1.3 trillion roubles in 2026, with projected annual growth of around 1.3 to 2.3 per cent between 2026 and 2028. A key role is played by the integrated development of infrastructure projects: the Murmansk transport hub, the ship repair cluster, the renovation of the marine fish port, the expansion of production at the Kovdor Mining and Processing Plant and at the Kirovsk branch of Apatit JSC, as well as the implementation of the Severny mine project. Investment in fixed capital is expected to exceed 350 billion roubles in 2026 and to rise to 400 billion roubles by 2028.
“This is a huge step and a major recognition of our joint efforts. This year we held the Forum under the motto ‘To Live in the North!’, and it was then that the President named Murmansk the capital of the Russian Arctic. Now we are consolidating this status. The Forum is a working platform where, together with federal colleagues, we address real tasks, from the economy and technology to logistics and the development of the Northern Sea Route. And holding the Forum regularly in Murmansk means that key decisions on the development of the Arctic will be made here, with us,” said the Governor of the Murmansk Region Andrey Chibis.
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