THE PRINCIPLES AND ACTIVITIES OF THE NATIONAL SCIENTIFICDEVELOPMENT STRATEGY IN THE ARCTIC ZONE OF THE RUSSIAN
FEDERATION
George Gogoberidze, Russian State Hydrometeorological University, ggg@rshu.ru
Mikhail Bubynin, Federal Research Centre for Projects Evaluation and Consulting Services,bubynin-md@mon.gov.ru
Valery Abramov, Russian State Hydrometeorological University, val.abramov@mail.ru
Gennady Zabolotnikov, Russian State Hydrometeorological University, nis@rshu.ru
Alexey Krylov, Russian State Hydrometeorological University, a.krylov@rshu.ru
The paper considers the priorities of the state policy of the Russian Federation in theArctic, from the point of view of the development of scientific research, identified by themain strategic documents of national policy and security in the Arctic zone of the RussianFederation. Measures for implementation of priorities in the development of scientificresearch in the Arctic can be divided into three main sections:
1. Scientific projects and expeditions in the Arctic;
2. International activities;
3. Coordination and implementation of integrated research in the Arctic.
Note that currently the Ministry of education and science of the Russian Federation
develops the Analytical Coordination Program “Comprehensive research of the Arctic andAntarctic”, in cooperation with the federal state bodies and Governance of the Subjects ofthe Arctic zone of the Russian Federation. The mechanism of the Program will ensure
coordination between state bodies for integrated scientific researches in the Arctic in theinterests of economic and scientific development of the region, and the creation of thescientific, technical and technological reserve in order to ensure of national security in theArctic zone of the Russian Federation.
Key words: Arctic zone of the Russian Federation, development strategy, coordination ofscientific research
I. INTRODUCTIONToday it has witnessed great interest to the Arctic zone. The Arctic contains a hugeamount of energy sources, oil and gas, and proven reserves of oil in the Arctic (both offshore andonshore) are slightly less than 100 billion barrels. Through the Arctic the cross-polar air link (theshortest way between North America and Asia) the Northern Sea Route (the shortest sea route
between East Asia and Europe) are passed.
The use of resources in the Arctic is extremely difficult and dangerous process from theenvironmental point of view, because due to the harsh Arctic climate the probability of accidents
increases significantly. On the whole, the nature of the Arctic is one of the most vulnerable
ecosystems on the planet. In 1991, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, RussianFederation, Sweden and the United States adopted the Arctic Environment Protection Strategy(AEPS). In 1996, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Arctic region have signed the Ottawa
Declaration and formed the Arctic Council.

However, the Arctic is one of the few places on the planet, whose resources were notshared between countries. The Arctic areas are claimed at least five countries: Russia, Norway,Denmark, Canada and the United States who have access to the coast of the Arctic ocean.
National claims may in the future be supported by different arguments, but it is clear that themain of them is practical – a real willingness of the country to actively explore the Arctic.
Russia has always been closely linked with the Arctic in its historical development. In theXI century Russian explorers came to the sea of the Arctic ocean, the middle of the XVII century
is the time of development by Russian pioneers of the Eastern section of the Northern Sea Routefrom Lena river to the Kolyma river. Semen Dezhnev passed by sea from the mouth of theKolyma river to the most easterly point on the mainland, and in 1648 he discovered the strait
between Asia and America. The first Europeans who visited Alaska, were members of the teamof "St. Gavriil” vessel. By the result of the great Northern expedition (1733-1743) in Russia, all
the Siberian coast of the Arctic ocean was studied, described and mapped. Russia is the first
country using the drifting polar station. The first drifting expedition called "North pole" wasworked at the North pole at May, 1937. Due to the existence of the drifting polar station, Russianscientists got an opportunity to explore the Arctic year-round.
II. STATE POLICY OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION IN THE ARCTIC
In the "Principles of State Policy of the Russian Federation in the Arctic for the Period till2020 and Further Prospect" there were formulated the problem for use of the Arctic zone as thestrategic resource base for socio-economic development, preservation of the Arctic as the zoneof peace and cooperation and the conservation of local unique ecosystems.
Priority directions of development of the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation andnational security are development of science and technology and security of international
cooperation in the Arctic, in addition to the comprehensive socio-economic development of theArctic zone of the Russian Federation and ensuring of ecological and military security,protection and safeguarding of the state border of the Russian Federation in the Arctic.
In the field of science and technology currently, there is shortage of technical means andtechnological possibilities for study, exploration and use of Arctic space and resources, with asimultaneous increase of technogenic and anthropogenic load on the environment. Developmentof science and technology of Arctic orientation in the Russian Federation conducts work on
formation of a competitive scientific and technological sector in the development andintroduction of advanced technologies and materials adapted to the climatic conditions of theArctic, as well as the introduction of technical means and instrument base adapted for carryingout polar scientific research, particularly in the area of environmental management, development
of offshore mineral deposits and water biological resources as well as the prevention andelimination of oil spills in ice conditions.
Russia seeks to increase the number of comprehensive scientific studies of natural
hazards, technologies and methods of their forecasting in the context of climate change,
including studying the impact on health of harmful environmental factors. In those aspects
important to the development of expedition activities in the Arctic, including international
participation, and the use of international scientific and technological cooperation, ensuring theparticipation of Russian scientific and scientific-educational organisations in global and regional
technological and research projects in the Arctic.

III. DEVELOPMENT OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH IN THE ARCTIC
Measures for implementation of priorities in the development of scientific research in theArctic can be divided into three main sections.
1. Scientific projects and expeditions in the Arctic
2. International activities
3. Coordination and implementation of integrated research in the Arctic
From this side, the Russian Federation expresses a particularly high degree of interest toparticipation in two topics:
1. Identifying Arctic-Science Challenges and their Regional and Global Implications.
2. Strengthening and Integrating Arctic Observations and Data-Sharing.
In the first subject it is necessary to allocate as the basic directions of research conductedin Russia, the following main works:− Seismic geodynamic analysis and seismic zoning of the coastal-shelf region of theRussian Arctic;− Comprehensive system for prospecting and exploration of mineral deposits in the
shelf zone of the Arctic, based on seismic and electromagnetic (magnetotelluric) methods;− The thermal state of the upper horizons of cryolithozone of the Russian Arctic andsubarctic;− Ecosystem evolution of thermokarst lakes in the context of climate change andanthropogenic load;− Comprehensive assessment of the sustainability of coastal systems and coastal
infrastructure in the tasks of spatial planning of maritime activities and socio-economic
development of the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation;− The expert system of forecasting of climate changes in the Arctic and thenavigability of the Northern Sea Route;− Dynamics of transport and transformation of carbon system in the Arctic land-shelfatmosphere in the global warming and degradation of permafrost;− Comprehensive monitoring and forecasting the state of the environment and creation
the Arctic national system of environmental risk management due to climatic factors, includingblack carbon (black carbon).
In Russian State Hydrometeorological University successfully operating a uniqueLaboratory for Satellite Oceanography, which developed and maintains an information system
for integrated monitoring of hydrometeorological state of the Arctic region on the basis ofintegrated analysis of satellite data, and created a fundamentally new approach to the study ofArctic cyclones.
In the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug there are field-research hospitals which makedetailed study of exogenous geological processes and phenomena.
A number of studies holds the Moscow State University, including study of integral
factors determined by climate affect human activity in the Arctic region, and to develop
recommendations to adapt and counter the negative influence of the specificity of the naturalenvironment of the Arctic.
Within the second theme, it is first necessary to note the research activity, conducted by
the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute (AARI), having big international activity. Starting in2012, it’s implemented a joint Russian-German project "Transpolar system of the Arctic ocean",
including a wide range of expeditionary marine and polar research in the Arctic. AARI continue

monitoring in Tiksi Hydrometeorological Observatory, together with the United States andFinland. In 2015 in the framework of Russian-American cooperation on the project "Monitoring
system for Nansen and Amundsen marine areas", the expedition studies the role oftransformation processes of Atlantic water in the formation of modern climatic changes in theArctic. In cooperation with the Finnish Meteorological Institute on the Ice Base “CapeBaranova” it’s deployed complex of modern equipment for measurements of concentrations ofgreenhouse gases and aerosols in the surface layer of air.
In addition, AARI is the base a permanent research institute on the Spitsbergenarchipelago of the Russian Scientific Arctic Expedition.
As for other organizations, leading its research activities, it is necessary to highlight thefollowing works:- Development of expert system to predict climate changes in the Arctic and thenavigability of the Northern Sea Route;- Development of integrated monitoring system in the coastal-shelf zone of the Russian
Arctic seas;- Development of methods and technologies of monitoring of the Arctic by space images
and data of ground-based observations;- Monitoring and forecast of extreme events in the Arctic;- Development of comprehensive system for prospecting and exploration of mineraldeposits in the Arctic shelf zone.
There is no doubt that for Russia the expansion of international scientific cooperation in
the Arctic is one of the priorities. First and foremost, it needs to develop such research areas as:- international project activities which are directly linked to the technology data exchange
and collection of information;- Russia's participation in international projects (“SIOS”, “Inter-Act”, “SAON”, etc.);- development of joint scientific expedition activities.
IV. PRINCIPLES OF THE ANALYTICAL COORDINATION PROGRAM (ACP) “COMPREHENSIVERESEARCH OF THE ARCTIC AND ANTARCTIC”
Note that currently the Ministry of education and science of the Russian Federation
develops the Analytical Coordination Program (ACP) “Comprehensive research of the Arcticand Antarctic”, in cooperation with the federal state bodies and Governance of the Subjects ofthe Arctic zone of the Russian Federation.
The necessity of the ACP due not only to the importance of coordinating between Federaland Regional Authorities, but also the necessity of mutual coordination of activities with theresearch foundations, educational and scientific organizations which active in scientific andtechnological processes in the Russian Arctic, located in all regions of the Russian Federation.
The mechanism of the Program will ensure coordination between state bodies for
integrated scientific researches in the Arctic in the interests of economic and scientificdevelopment of the region, and the creation of the scientific, technical and technological reservein order to ensure of national security in the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation.
ACP is divided into 4 sub-programs by functional basis:- Sub-program 1. Provision of monitoring and comprehensive analysis of state andprospects of scientific research development in the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation and theAntarctic;

- Sub-program 2. Monitoring and coordination of the comprehensive marine and coastal
research in the Arctic and Antarctic;- Sub-program 3. Monitoring and coordination of applied research aimed at solving
tasks related to the strategic priorities of the Polar state policy of the Russian Federation;- Sub-program 4. Activities of the regional research programs of the Arctic zone of theRussian Federation;
In the list of sub-programs, it is important the selection of individual regionalcomponents, which will allow to involve subjects of the Russian Arctic in the implementation ofACP activities. In addition, in frame of ACP it’s possible to engage state programs and researchfunds and their financial resources for support of scientific, scientific-technical, innovativeactivities to the implementation of routines and specific activities of ACP.
As the participants in the implementation of ACP activities notes:- the profile Federal Executive Authorities;- scientific funds of support of scientific, scientific-technical and innovation activity;- specialized scientific and educational organizations, which have active research andinnovation activities in the Russian Arctic;- enterprisers, including with state participation, supporting scientific and technologicaldevelopments for the implementation of activities in the Russian Arctic;- Arctic regional research centers.
The result of the ACP implementation will enhance the role and effectiveness of theArctic scientific research, in the field of creation and development of technical means andinstrument base for use in the Arctic, including the processes of import substitution, inimplementing the policy of socio-economic development of the Russian Federation and increaseof efficiency of use of budgetary appropriations for these purposes.
V. ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The Ministry of education and science of Russia provided financial support for thisresearch, project 5.7.2016/NM.