The agenda of the meeting held in Naryan-Mar on 6 July 2011 included consideration of measures on implementation of the Basic State Policies of the Russian Federation in the Arctic Region till 2020 and beyond and measures for ensuring economic and social development of the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation in 2012–2020, as well as other strategically important issues of Russia’s geopolitical presence and safeguarding its national security interests in the Artic Region.
The meeting was organized by the Government of the Russian Federation, the Ministry of Regional Development, the Transportation Ministry, Rosatom State Corporation, and the Administration of the Nenets Autonomous District.

Head of METROPOL Group Mikhail Slipenchuk, Candidate of Science (Geography) and Doctor of Science (Economics), professor of Moscow State University and member of the Russian Geographical Society, addressed the meeting with a report on the Northern Sea Route as a catalyst of dynamic, sustainable and progressive development of the Arctic Region. Among other things, he noted the importance of the Northern Sea Route as an integrated national transportation system of the Arctic Region. According to Mr Slipenchuk, revival and active use of the Northern Sea Route as a traditional thoroughfare that connects the Northern and Far Eastern sea basin with Siberian and Far Eastern rivers can bring about considerable reduction of long-distant shipment costs and make this route an acceptable alternative both to the Suez and Panama Canals. Also, as suggested by Mr Slipenchuk, investment in the development of the Northern Sea Route within the framework of public-private partnership would facilitate infrastructural development in Russia’s Arctic areas that occupy over three million square kilometers, or 18% of the country’s total area. “Establishing the Northern Sea Route as an important international transportation corridor will give an additional impetus to the development of Russia’s Northern areas and attract new foreign investment. Development and improvement of the port and service infrastructure of the Northern Sea Route will add to Russia’s competitive edge in the development of Arctic resources”, said Mikhail Slipenchuk confidently.