Russian and Brazilian Experts Discuss Scientific Cooperation in Arctic at Think Arctic – Think Global Project Session

Participants in the session ‘Prospects for Russian-Brazilian Scientific Cooperation in the Sustainable Development of the Arctic’ of the Think Arctic – Think Global project, which took place in Moscow, discussed Russian-Brazilian cooperation in science and other areas. The project is being implemented jointly by the Roscongress Foundation and the HSE Centre for Comprehensive European and International Studies.

“We have numerous topics for discussion: even a cursory glance at the interests of Russia and Brazil in the Arctic or Antarctic region provides extremely lively grounds for discussion and comparison of the experience of our countries. Russia and Brazil are united by the desire to explore their enormous and very valuable territories from the point of view of nature and ensure their sustainable development. Our countries do not have the opportunity to simply conserve these territories and turn them into nature reserves. It’s a matter of development,” said Anastasia Likhacheva, dean of the Faculty of World Economy and International Affairs at the National Research University Higher School of Economics, who moderated the discussion.

“Russia’s chairmanship of the Arctic Council was the basis of this project. In the current conditions, the project is transforming and becoming truly global. The discussion will result in a set of informative materials and a series of interesting publications. The final session of the Think Arctic – Think Global project will be presented at the key event – the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, where we look forward to the participation of a representative delegation from Brazil,” Roscongress Foundation Deputy CEO Grigory Velikikh said.

The session was attended by experts from leading Russian and Brazilian scientific and educational organizations. During the session, the participants discussed key areas for potential scientific cooperation between the two countries in the Arctic. In particular, they touched upon such issues as ecology and the environmental agenda, the study of natural processes and phenomena in the Arctic region, as well as the adaptation of the population to climate change.

The experts also expressed an interest in joint work in Arctic science. In particular, they discussed the feasibility of using such a format of cooperation as consortiums of universities, as well as further developing cooperation as part of the existing concept of floating universities.

They also discussed cooperation to develop green energy amidst the global energy transition. Developing energy from renewable sources could drive the technological development of the Russian Arctic and improve the living standards of residents of the northern regions.

The experts also spoke about economic cooperation between the two countries, considered approaches to the preservation of Indigenous peoples, and also discussed interaction as part of the BRICS association.

The Think Arctic – Think Global project aims to promote the Russian agenda in matters concerning sustainable development, strengthen a constructive international dialogue, and offer new points of contact for Russia’s collaboration in high latitudes with all interested countries and organizations.