On speaking at the event’s plenary session, the president directed its creation and launch before the end of 2021 because ‘the Arctic has a great impact on the global climate,’ he told delegates from over 65 countries present at the forum.

‘It is important for us to understand, to predict the processes that are taking place. For doing so, we require a reliable basis, accurate scientific data and forecasts,’ he commented.

Putin proposed to organize an international expedition to the highest latitudes of that region, using as a base the North Pole scientific station, which is being built in St. Petersburg and will be completed in the next few months.

The head of State noted that the proposal would be an initiative of the current Russian chairmanship of the Arctic Council, which also includes Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden and the United States.

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