Russia’s Arctic plan
New offshore hydrocarbon fields are to be opened, oil and gas production boosted, the shelf delineated, fish catch increased and shipping along the Northern Sea Route vitalized. That is some of the plans for the Arctic laid down in the Russian government’s national social and economic development programme for the period until year 2020.
The programme, which covers the whole range of Russian society and economy, was adopted by government on October 1. The document, which includes a major stress on the strengthening of an innovative Russian economy, also highlights Russia’s plans for the Arctic.
Natural
resources
According to the programme, the development of the Russian Arctic shelf is to be activated with more exploration, the opening of new oil and gas fields, and subsequent increase of Russian shelf reserves. Reserves in the Arctic will increase to three billion tons of oil and five trillion cubic meters of gas by year 2020, the document reads.
The determination of the outer border of the Russian Arctic shelf is to be completed by 2011.
Similarly is an increase in fish catch and processing outlined. By year 2017, catch of marine resources will increase by up to 20 percent and processing by 30 percent by 2015.
Shipping
The competitiveness of the Northern Sea Route is to be improved and shipping turnover in the area boosted. By 2015 a joint control and security system for shipping and management of the sea transport in the Arctic is to be established.
Environment and health
At the same time, environmental concerns are to be dealt with. Harm to the environment in the wake of the extended economic activities in the region is to be reduced, and pollution from former projects eliminated. Russian priorities for the region is also to take into account the increasing effects of climate change on infrastructure in the area. The health situation for the people living in the Russian Arctic is to be improved, death rates reduced and work ability boosted.
In addition, the programme underlines the need for the securing of national security in the Arctic.
The “Concept on Long-Term Social and Economic Development in the Russian Federation” is elaborated by the federal Ministry of Ecnomic Development.
