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BUSINESS AND SCIENTIFIC FORUM
THE NORTHERN FORUM – INDIA:
UNITING NORTH AND SOUTH FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
New Delhi, India
March 20, 2025
March 20, 2025
Throughout its history, the Northern Forum has held various events (project meetings, seminars, meetings of the Regional Coordinators Committee, General Assemblies) in different countries, including Russia, the USA, Canada, Iceland, Sweden, Finland, China, the Republic of Korea, Japan, Mongolia, and New Zealand.
Global events that caused the almost complete stop of international cooperation in the Arctic changed the development priorities and the geography of activities of not only states, but also of international organizations. New alliances, associations, and logistics routes are emerging. The world is becoming multipolar, BRICS and the SCO are actively expanding, and North-South ties are strengthening.
Since 2023, the Northern Forum has started to arrange forums and events in the countries of the Asian continent. In May 2023, a successful event was held in Uvurkhangai Province of Mongolia, and in May 2024, a business and scientific forum was organized in Harbin (China).
In 2024, the Russian-Asian Consortium for Arctic Research, initiated by the Ammosov Northern-Eastern Federal University and the Northern Forum, held their events in Delhi (India) and Qingdao (PRC).
In November 2024, the Northern Forum created the first Arctic Pavilion at the 29th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in Baku (Azerbaijan). The experts from India were invited to join the Northern Forum delegation in order to develop cooperation with one the largest countries in the world.
The Vivekananda International Foundation expressed its readiness to provide a venue for the next country forum «The Northern Forum-India» in March 2025.
Global events that caused the almost complete stop of international cooperation in the Arctic changed the development priorities and the geography of activities of not only states, but also of international organizations. New alliances, associations, and logistics routes are emerging. The world is becoming multipolar, BRICS and the SCO are actively expanding, and North-South ties are strengthening.
Since 2023, the Northern Forum has started to arrange forums and events in the countries of the Asian continent. In May 2023, a successful event was held in Uvurkhangai Province of Mongolia, and in May 2024, a business and scientific forum was organized in Harbin (China).
In 2024, the Russian-Asian Consortium for Arctic Research, initiated by the Ammosov Northern-Eastern Federal University and the Northern Forum, held their events in Delhi (India) and Qingdao (PRC).
In November 2024, the Northern Forum created the first Arctic Pavilion at the 29th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in Baku (Azerbaijan). The experts from India were invited to join the Northern Forum delegation in order to develop cooperation with one the largest countries in the world.
The Vivekananda International Foundation expressed its readiness to provide a venue for the next country forum «The Northern Forum-India» in March 2025.
Place and date:
March 20, 2025
Business and Scientific Forum “The Northern Forum - India for Sustainable Development” on the platform of Vivekananda International Foundation, 3, San Martin Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi
March 20, 2025
Business and Scientific Forum “The Northern Forum - India for Sustainable Development” on the platform of Vivekananda International Foundation, 3, San Martin Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi
The purpose of the Forum is to discuss opportunities for cooperation between the Northern Forum and regions, organizations of India, as well as other countries interested in interaction with the northern and Arctic territories.
The main topic
Taking into account the dramatic changes in the geopolitical situation, emergence of ever new challenges, acceleration of climate change processes, as well as to achieve, primarily, the Sustainable Development Goal 17 “Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development,” the following main topic has been proposed for the Forum: “The Northern Forum - India: Uniting North and South for Sustainable Development”.
Organizers
The Northern Forum was established on 8 November 1991 in Alaska, USA.
The mission of the Northern Forum is to improve the quality of life in the North and support regional sustainable development. The goals are to provide tools and opportunities for regional leaders in solving common problems, implementing joint socio-economic initiatives at the regional level, organizing events, ensuring active engagement in international forums and the implementation of projects of local and Global importance and supporting and enhancing active youth engagement.
The organization's development goal is to turn the Northern Forum into an effective, non-alternative structure for interregional and international cooperation of the regions of the North and the Arctic, which shapes world politics in this area and is an equal partner of international organizations with its own unique niche.
The Northern Forum has a status of Observer in the UNFCCC, the Arctic Council and is the only NGO for interregional cooperation in that role.
The Vivekananda International Foundation is a New Delhi-based think tank set up with the collaborative efforts of India's leading security experts, diplomats and philanthropists under the aegis of the Vivekananda Kendra. The Vivekananda International Foundation’s objective is to become a centre of excellence to kick start innovative ideas and thoughts that can lead to a stronger, secure and prosperous India playing its destined role in global affairs.
Organizers
The Northern Forum was established on 8 November 1991 in Alaska, USA.
The mission of the Northern Forum is to improve the quality of life in the North and support regional sustainable development. The goals are to provide tools and opportunities for regional leaders in solving common problems, implementing joint socio-economic initiatives at the regional level, organizing events, ensuring active engagement in international forums and the implementation of projects of local and Global importance and supporting and enhancing active youth engagement.
The organization's development goal is to turn the Northern Forum into an effective, non-alternative structure for interregional and international cooperation of the regions of the North and the Arctic, which shapes world politics in this area and is an equal partner of international organizations with its own unique niche.
The Northern Forum has a status of Observer in the UNFCCC, the Arctic Council and is the only NGO for interregional cooperation in that role.
The mission of the Northern Forum is to improve the quality of life in the North and support regional sustainable development. The goals are to provide tools and opportunities for regional leaders in solving common problems, implementing joint socio-economic initiatives at the regional level, organizing events, ensuring active engagement in international forums and the implementation of projects of local and Global importance and supporting and enhancing active youth engagement.
The organization's development goal is to turn the Northern Forum into an effective, non-alternative structure for interregional and international cooperation of the regions of the North and the Arctic, which shapes world politics in this area and is an equal partner of international organizations with its own unique niche.
The Northern Forum has a status of Observer in the UNFCCC, the Arctic Council and is the only NGO for interregional cooperation in that role.
The Vivekananda International Foundation is a New Delhi-based think tank set up with the collaborative efforts of India's leading security experts, diplomats and philanthropists under the aegis of the Vivekananda Kendra. The Vivekananda International Foundation’s objective is to become a centre of excellence to kick start innovative ideas and thoughts that can lead to a stronger, secure and prosperous India playing its destined role in global affairs.
Сo-organizers
The co-organizers of the forum are the Institute for Governance and Sustainable Development (India), the National Research University “Higher School of Economics” (Moscow), Ammosov North-Eastern Federal University (Yakutsk).
Сo-organizers
The co-organizers of the forum are the Institute for Governance and Sustainable Development (India), the National Research University “Higher School of Economics” (Moscow), Ammosov North-Eastern Federal University (Yakutsk).
With the support from the governments and regional administrations - members of the Northern Forum, Russian-Asian Consortium of Arctiс Research, Jawaharlal Nehru University (Delhi), Expert Center Project Office for Arctic Development (Moscow).
With the support from the governments and regional administrations - members of the Northern Forum, Russian-Asian Consortium of Arctic Research, Jawaharlal Nehru University (Delhi), Expert Center Project Office for Arctic Development (Moscow).
Daily Program
New Delhi, India, March 19-23, 2025
(the program may be subject to change)
(the program may be subject to change)
March 18, Tuesday
- Arrivals
- The Northern Forum Staff works with VIF Team, Russian Embassy, Russian House of Science and Culture on preparation of all events
March 19, Wednesday
- Arrivals
- The Northern Forum Staff works with VIF Team, Russian Embassy, Russian House of Science and Culture on preparation of all events
14.00 – 16.30
Meeting on Tourism Cooperation (preliminary proposal)
- The Northern Forum
- Vivekananda International Foundation
- Russia Discovery
- Indian Tourism Development Corporation
- Indian Tourist Associations, Tour Operators
March 20, Thursday
09.30 – 17.00
09.30 – 17.00
The Northern Forum and Vivekananda International Foundation International Conference “Uniting North and South for Sustainable Development of the Arctic”
Venue: Vivekananda International foundation, 3, San Martin Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi, India
Venue: Vivekananda International foundation, 3, San Martin Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi, India
March 21, Friday
10:00 – 11:00
Realization of the project “A Friendship Garden”
Planting trees at the Inderprastha Engineering College - Plot No 63, Site IV, Surya Nagar, Flyover Road, Industrial Area, Sahibabad, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh 201010, India
Participants:
11:00 – 12:00
Opening Ceremony of the Russian Class Room in the Inderprastha Engineering College
12:00 – 13:00
Youth Cooperation Session
Participants:
Realization of the project “A Friendship Garden”
Planting trees at the Inderprastha Engineering College - Plot No 63, Site IV, Surya Nagar, Flyover Road, Industrial Area, Sahibabad, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh 201010, India
Participants:
- All Forum’s participants
- Inderprastha Engineering College
- Russian Embassy
- Russian Centre of Science and Culture
11:00 – 12:00
Opening Ceremony of the Russian Class Room in the Inderprastha Engineering College
12:00 – 13:00
Youth Cooperation Session
Participants:
- Students of O.P. Jindal Global University
- Representatives of Indian Youth
- Representatives of the Russian Embassy
- Representatives of the Russian Centre of Science and Culture
13:00 – 14:30
Lunch
14:30 – 16:00
Transfer to the Jawaharlal Nehru University
16:00 – 18:00
Meeting at the Jawaharlal Nehru University
Lunch
14:30 – 16:00
Transfer to the Jawaharlal Nehru University
16:00 – 18:00
Meeting at the Jawaharlal Nehru University
- Russian-Asian Consortium of Arctic Research
- The Northern Forum
- Vivekananda International Foundation
- Interested participants of the Forum
March 22, Saturday
- Cultural Program
- Departures
March 23, Sunday
- Departures
Daily Program
New Delhi, India, March 19-23, 2025
(the program may be subject to change)
(the program may be subject to change)
March 18, Tuesday
- Arrivals
- The Northern Forum Staff works with VIF Team, Russian Embassy, Russian House of Science and Culture on preparation of all events
March 19, Wednesday
- Arrivals
- The Northern Forum Staff works with VIF Team, Russian Embassy, Russian House of Science and Culture on preparation of all events
14.00 – 16.30
Meeting on Tourism Cooperation (preliminary proposal)
- The Northern Forum
- Vivekananda International Foundation
- Russia Discovery
- Indian Tourism Development Corporation
- Indian Tourist Associations, Tour Operators
March 20, Thursday
09.30 – 17.00
09.30 – 17.00
The Northern Forum and Vivekananda International Foundation International Conference “Uniting North and South for Sustainable Development of the Arctic”
Venue: Vivekananda International foundation, 3, San Martin Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi, India
Venue: Vivekananda International foundation, 3, San Martin Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi, India
March 21, Friday
10:00 – 11:00
Realization of the project “A Friendship Garden”
Planting trees at the Inderprastha Engineering College - Plot No 63, Site IV, Surya Nagar, Flyover Road, Industrial Area, Sahibabad, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh 201010, India
Participants:
11:00 – 12:00
Opening Ceremony of the Russian Class Room in the Inderprastha Engineering College
12:00 – 13:00
Youth Cooperation Session
Participants:
13:00 – 14:30
Lunch
14:30 – 16:00
Transfer to the Jawaharlal Nehru University
16:00 – 18:00
Meeting at the Jawaharlal Nehru University
Realization of the project “A Friendship Garden”
Planting trees at the Inderprastha Engineering College - Plot No 63, Site IV, Surya Nagar, Flyover Road, Industrial Area, Sahibabad, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh 201010, India
Participants:
- All Forum’s participants
- Inderprastha Engineering College
- Russian Embassy
- Russian Centre of Science and Culture
11:00 – 12:00
Opening Ceremony of the Russian Class Room in the Inderprastha Engineering College
12:00 – 13:00
Youth Cooperation Session
Participants:
- Students of O.P. Jindal Global University
- Representatives of Indian Youth
- Representatives of the Russian Embassy
- Representatives of the Russian Centre of Science and Culture
13:00 – 14:30
Lunch
14:30 – 16:00
Transfer to the Jawaharlal Nehru University
16:00 – 18:00
Meeting at the Jawaharlal Nehru University
- Russian-Asian Consortium of Arctic Research
- The Northern Forum
- Vivekananda International Foundation
- Interested participants of the Forum
March 22, Saturday
- Cultural Program
- Departures
March 23, Sunday
- Departures
Program
New Delhi, India, March 20, 2025
(the program may be subject to change)
(the program may be subject to change)
09:30 – 10:00
09:30 – 10:00
Registration of participants
10:00 – 10:45
10:00 – 10:45
Plenary Session “Uniting North and South for Sustainable Development”
Discussions will focus on the policy and implementation of sustainable development technologies in Russia and India, as well as the impact of geopolitical processes on the interaction between countries and regions in the Arctic. The issues to be discussed include measures to promote cooperation between regions of different countries within the framework of BRICS, Northern Forum, and other international organizations, and governance of the Arctic.
Welcome Remarks:
Keynote Adress:
Speakers:
Welcome Remarks:
- Arvind Gupta, Director, Vivekananda International Foundation
- Vladimir Vasilev, Executive Director, The Northern Forum
- Kim Borisov, Deputy Chair, the Government of the Sakha Republic (Yakutia), Permanent Representative of the Sakha Republic (Yakutia) in the Far East Federal District, Russia
Keynote Adress:
- Deputy National Security Advisor, GOI (TBC)
Speakers:
- Amb. Kanwal Sibal, the Chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru University
- Amb. Vladislav Maslennikov, Director, Department of European Problems, Russian Foreign Affairs Ministry (hybrid format)
- Natalia Komarova, Senator of the Russian Federation, Former Governor of Khanty-Mansyisk Autonomous Okrug – Yugra, Former Chair of The Northern Forum (TBC)
10:45 – 11:00
10:45 – 11:00
Coffee break
11:00 – 13:00
11:00 – 13:00
Session I - “A fair world order: development and challenges of international cooperation in the Arctic in the era of turbulence”
During the session, experts will discuss:
Moderators:
Amb Pankaj Saran, Former Indian Ambassador to Russia and Convener, NatStrat (TBC)
Irina Strelnikova, Associate Professor, Department of Foreign Regional Studies, Faculty of World Economy and World Politics, NRU Higher School of Economics, Russia
Speakers: (10 Min. each)
- current aspects of BRICS policy shaping, taking into account the experience of cooperation between Russia and India (e.g. financial cooperation under the secondary sanctions risk, multilateral institutions, etc.),
- prospects for international cooperation and governance in the Arctic,
- unlocking the potential of the countries and organizers observers to the Arctic Council, taking into account the preparation of events for the International Polar Year in 2032-2033, as well as strengthening the voice of the Arctic at COP30 in Brazil.
Moderators:
Amb Pankaj Saran, Former Indian Ambassador to Russia and Convener, NatStrat (TBC)
Irina Strelnikova, Associate Professor, Department of Foreign Regional Studies, Faculty of World Economy and World Politics, NRU Higher School of Economics, Russia
Speakers: (10 Min. each)
- R Adm TVN Prasanna, Joint Secretary, National Security Council Secretariat, GOI (TBC)
- Vadim Mamontov, General Director, Russia Discovery; Vice-President, Russian Union of Tourist Industry
- Capt Anurag Bisen, Senior Fellow, VIF
- Maksim Dankin, General Director, The Arctic Development Project Office
- Irina Strelnikova, Associate Professor, Department of Foreign Regional Studies, Faculty of World Economy and World Politics, NRU Higher School of Economics, Russia
- Indraraj Vanraj Dodiya, Director, Dodiya Enterprises LLC, India
- Maksim Gutenev, Head of the Department of International Relations, Political Science and Regional Studies, South Ural State University, Russia
- Anton Sokolov, Expert, Russian Gas Society
- Natalia Vyakhireva, Head, Canadian Department, Institute of USA and Canada, Russian Academy of Sciences, Russia
13:00 – 14:00
13:00 – 14:00
Lunch break
14:00 – 14:30
14:00 – 14:30
Special Address
- H.E. Denis Alipov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the Republic of India (TBC)
- Dr. M. Ravichandran, Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) (TBC)
14:30 – 16:20
14:30 – 16:20
Session II - “Scientific cooperation for the future: challenges and prospects for research in the Arctic”
During the session, experts will consider the main challenges of the institutions of multilateral international scientific cooperation in the Arctic, the experience of practical cooperation - expeditions, research; their impact on the existing institutions of interaction in the Arctic. They will also discuss the experience of implementing scientific and technical developments in the regions with extremely low temperatures.
Moderators:
Amb Venkatesh Varma, Ambassador of India to the Russian Federation (2018–2021); Distinguished Fellow, Vivekananda International Foundation; (TBC)
or Uttam Sinha (if Amb Verma is not available)
Mariia Lagutina, Professor, Department of World Politics, Faculty of International Relations, St. Petersburg State University, Russia
Speakers: (8 Min. Each)
Moderators:
Amb Venkatesh Varma, Ambassador of India to the Russian Federation (2018–2021); Distinguished Fellow, Vivekananda International Foundation; (TBC)
or Uttam Sinha (if Amb Verma is not available)
Mariia Lagutina, Professor, Department of World Politics, Faculty of International Relations, St. Petersburg State University, Russia
Speakers: (8 Min. Each)
- Dr. Rasik Ravindra, former Director General, National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research
- Mariia Pitukhina, Professor, Petrozavodsk State University, Russia
- Uttam Sinha, Senior Fellow-MP IDSA, India
- Roman Kuchin, Professor, Yugra State University, Russia
- Daryana Maksimova, Executive Secretary, Russian-Asian Consortium of Arctic Research, Deputy Dircetor, The Northern Forum
- Rolf Rodven, Executive Secretary of the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Program, Norway (TBC)
- Yuri Zakharinsky, Deputy Chairman of the Committee for Natural Resources and Ecology of the Legislative Assembly of the Krasnoyarsk krai, senior researcher at Siberian Federal University and the V.N. Sukachev Institute of Forestry, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Russia
- P. Whitney Lackenbauer, Canadian expert on Arctic security, history and policy, Canada (hybrid mode)
- Leonid Vladimirov, President, Academy of Science of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), Russia
- Mariia Lagutina, Professor, Department of World Politics, Faculty of International Relations, St. Petersburg State University, Russia
- Sherri Goodman, Senior Fellow, Polar Institute and Environmental Change & Security
- Nadezhda Kharlampeva, Associate Professor St. Petersburg State University; The Northern Forum Goodwill Ambassador, Russia
- Yulia Yamineva, Faculty at University of Eastern Finland, International Environmental Law and Governance Expert (hybrid mode)
16.20 – 16.30
16.20 – 16.30
Coffee break
16:30 – 17:00
16:30 – 17:00
Closing plenary session “Russia – India: what should midterm partnership be like?”
Provisional issues to discuss:
Speakers:
- the potential for infrastructure development of the Northern Sea Route with the participation of Indian partners, as well as the prospects for integrating the capacities of the NSR and the North-South international transport corridor to intensify trade between the Russian Arctic and India along the new route,
- implementation of energy efficient technologies, development of fuel and energy infrastructure, environmental protection, digitalization of remote regions, and support for indigenous peoples.
Speakers:
- Gavril Kirillin, Minister on External and Ethnic Affairs, Sakha Republic (Yakutia), Russia
- Sergey Kungurtsev, Chairman, Committee for International and Interregional Relations, Department of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media of Nenets Autonomous Okrug, Russia
- Vladimir Vasilev, Executive Director, The Northern Forum
- Arvind Gupta, Director, Vivekananda International Foundation
Signing of agreements and memorandums
- Vivekananda International Foundation & The Northern Forum
- Vivekananda International Foundation & Project Office on the Arctic Development (Moscow, Russia) (TBC)
- Indian Tourist Development Corporation & Russian Union of Tourist Industry (Moscow, Russia) (TBC)
In case of questions, please reach out to:
Ms Tatiana Makarova
Project Manager, Northern Forum Secretariat
+7 914 1042448, secretariat@northernforum.org
Mr Anurag Bisen
Senior Fellow, Vivekananda International Foundation
+91 70111 65480, anuragbisen@vifindia.org
Ms Daryana Maximova
Deputy Executive Director of the Northern Forum, Executive
Secretary of the Russian-Asian Consortium for Arctic Research
+7 924 5683290, dmaximova@northernforum.org
Ms Irina Strelnikova
Associate Professor, Department of Foreign Regional Studies
Faculty of World Economy and World Politics
NRU Higher School of Economics, Moscow
+7 909 6210044, istrelnikova@hse.ru
Ms Maria Lagutina
Professor, Department of World Politics, Faculty of
International Relations, St. Petersburg State University
+7 921 9825158, manipol@mail.ru
Project Manager, Northern Forum Secretariat
+7 914 1042448, secretariat@northernforum.org
Mr Anurag Bisen
Senior Fellow, Vivekananda International Foundation
+91 70111 65480, anuragbisen@vifindia.org
Ms Daryana Maximova
Deputy Executive Director of the Northern Forum, Executive
Secretary of the Russian-Asian Consortium for Arctic Research
+7 924 5683290, dmaximova@northernforum.org
Ms Irina Strelnikova
Associate Professor, Department of Foreign Regional Studies
Faculty of World Economy and World Politics
NRU Higher School of Economics, Moscow
+7 909 6210044, istrelnikova@hse.ru
Ms Maria Lagutina
Professor, Department of World Politics, Faculty of
International Relations, St. Petersburg State University
+7 921 9825158, manipol@mail.ru
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Website design and development : Makarova T.