Business programme

Entrance by invitation only

The Arctic is an essential part of Russia’s resource base and contributes more than 10% of the national GDP in spite of only about 2% of the population living there. The Arctic is home to major infrastructure projects, mineral resources of strategic importance are extracted there, and without the Arctic, the Russian economy would hardly develop. Still, what really makes the Arctic valuable is its people.

A challenging climate and demanding physical labour have traditionally attracted men to the Arctic in search of geographical discoveries and higher wages. But times are changing, almost half of those who live and work in the Russian Arctic today are women, and not all have simply followed their husbands North. Women are contributing just as much to Arctic development as men, founding businesses, holding senior government positions, participating in scientific research, building careers in high-tech industrial giants, and even working on the icebreakers of the Northern Sea Route. Women have always played an outsized role in preserving the unique ecosystem and identity of the Russian North and deciding the future of the Arctic, and their role in the development of this strategically important macro-region must continue to grow.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has designated Arctic development an indisputable national priority. How should the Arctic change so that people will continue to want to live there? How do the women of the North build their careers and show what they are capable of? Do they feel comfortable in this man’s world? Is today’s Arctic really such a masculine space, or is there room for another kind of strength?

Moderator:
Roman Plyusov — Anchor, Russia 24 TV Channel, Russian Federation (Moscow)

The manmade impact on the environment is increasingly becoming a top priority in the work of government bodies, businesses, and public organizations. Environmental pollution, reduced water availability, as well as climate change and its impact affect the lives and well-being of people all over the world. Trust and cooperation are needed to overcome these challenges. This topic continues to be one that brings people together, despite new challenges. Women play an increasingly important role in the management of natural resources and addressing issues concerning nature management, energy, and food security, among others.

What aspects of the environmental agenda are most important for women and why? How can we ensure that women are even more involved in shaping national and international approaches to environmental protection? How can women influence the world to make it more eco-friendly? What opportunities are opening up today for women who work in the environmental field?

Moderators:
Irina Gaida — Project Coordinator of the Council of the Eurasian Women's Forum "Environmental Platform", Deputy Director of the Project Center for Energy Transition and ESG Principles, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech), Russian Federation (Moscow)
Andrey Yatskin — First Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, Russian Federation (Rostov region)

Panellists:
Irina Gekht — Chairman of the Government of Zaporizhzhya region
Tatiana Zavyalova — Senior Vice President for ESG, Sberbank, Russian Federation (Moscow)
Polina Lion — Director of the Department of Sustainable Development, State Atomic Energy Corporation ROSATOM, Russian Federation (Moscow)
Svetlana Lukash — Deputy Head, Expert Department of the President of the Russian Federation, Russian Federation (Moscow)
Dharitri Patnaik — Chief Coordinator of the Republic of India at the Women's G20, Chairman of Diversified Energy Solutions, Managing Director of Jivada Ventures, Founder of Humara Bachpan Trust Fund, India
Marina Sedykh — General Director, INK-Capital, Russian Federation
Alexey Chekunkov — Minister of the Russian Federation for the Development of the Far East and the Arctic, Russian Federation (Moscow)
Andrey Chibis — Governor of Murmansk Region, Russian Federation

Entrance by invitation only

The gastronomy session will include an informal expert dialogue on business strategies and women's successful experience in overcoming investment barriers in the Russian market in various spheres - from gastronomy to high-tech.