Siberian Federal University

Scientists discussed such issues as the Arctic development in the world context, the North resource potential, transport infrastructure, international cooperation and environment upgrade.

Vyacheslav Seliverstov, Deputy Director for Science of the SB RAS Institute of Economics and Industrial Engineering, Coordinator of the Russian-Canadian Program «Knowledge Exchange on the North Territories Management» pointed out: «The Krasnoyarsk territory is able to accomplish the new function and the new mission i.e. to become the economic space integrator at the Russian East between Siberia, Far East, Southern and Northern territories». He was certain that «in spite of the fact that Russian North is economically attractive, we also should take so-called «social effects» into account. We should sometimes turn a blind eye to the expenses as we must provide people living in the Eastern part of Russia with appropriate living conditions but it would be impossible without desirable energy resources supply». That is also the reason why «Russian people should think about holding the similar events in Siberia on a regular basis. We should be very concerned about the issues of Siberian North and the Arctic and consolidate the government, science and business efforts».

The delegation from Manitoba (Canada) led by Tom Nevakshonoff, member of the Manitoba legislature shared the knowledge with Russian colleagues. While making a report, Tom Nevakshonoff put an emphasis on the economically-valuable strategic partnership between both countries.

Jay Pasemko, Director for the Winnipeg Airports Planning and Analysis Management said that: «In order to promote the Russian-Canadian initiatives development, the transportation will be organized through the air bridge of the Winnipeg airport thus providing 20% time reduction. In particular, test flights from New Delhi to Winnipeg through Krasnoyarsk showed 10% of time reduction at the route».

Alberto Velasco, Executive Director for International Business Development at «Centreport» (Canada) told about investment decisions made to launch the project of the «single window» through Winnipeg establishing the network between Canada, the US, Mexico and European and Asian countries.

Jeff Makikern, Executive Director of Churchill Gateway Development Corporation said that the Churchill – Murmansk sea route connecting Canada and Russia is sure to be the short one and logistically valuable for both countries with time saving up to 5 days. Being initially used to transport corn, the route was diversified in terms of cargo traffic, for example, to transport fertilizers. Experts estimated that the route would be suitable for passenger shipping as well.

Evgeny Vaganov, SibFU Rector, Academician RAS made a report about the climate change impact on forests of Northern Eurasia. A group of scientists working with Evgeny Vaganov made the long-term research by means of meteorological stations, air data, remote sensing, forest recreation and tree-ring data analysis and defined the structural changes caused by global warming at the border of forest: forest crop density increase, slow migration of thermophilic types of trees (fir-trees) and increase of radial tree growth.

Alexey Kontorovich, Chairman of the RAS Scientific Council on Geology, Oil and Gas Engineering, Academician RAS pointed out in his report: «The Krasnoyarsk territory boasts its huge oil reserves especially at the left bank of the Enisey-river. It used to be one of the leaders in the Arctic industrial development. During the Soviet Union period, we launched the powerful metallurgy industry in Norilsk which still remains the unique one in the world. Now we can see the process of diversification and economic extension. I believe that the Arctic should be efficiently developed in many aspects. It would be no good to come there just to take the resources and run away. We should come to the Arctic seriously and accurately without disturbing its nature».