The participants discussed a wide range of pressing Arctic development issues on the sidelines of the forum, all the way from the modernisation of the Arctic transport corridors to finding a balance between the environment and investment in tourism. The main events of the forum were united by the theme Arctic Energy: New Challenges — New Solutions and Technology. The experts noted the importance of alternative energy sources and exchanged technological solutions.

The 4th Northern Sustainable Development Forum brought together more than a thousand experts from ten countries. "We believe that the Arctic should be a place of joint international scientific research and innovation," said the Head of Yakutia Aysen Nikolaev.

He also noted that developing Russia's Arctic Zone was crucial for "turning the country eastward." "The Arctic is becoming the conductor of new transport corridors and Russia's new export partnership in the East. At the same time, energy security is a key prerequisite for any projects in the Arctic. For this reason, we must transition to alternative energy sources," said Nikolaev. 

Yakutia is a prime example of such transition. Together with RusHydro, it is building power plants that use renewable energy sources in its Arctic zone. Six hybrid power plants have already been put into operation. By the end of 2024, Yakutia plans to launch such facilities in 66 more settlements. 

Together with Rosatom State Corporation, it is building a small-capacity nuclear power plant in the Arctic. The plant will provide energy not only for subsoil users but also for the residents of Arctic regions. According to the head of Yakutia, the new NPP will help to create a new deep-water port in Naiba, 112 km from Tiksi, which will drive the development of the North Sea Route. 

One of the topics discussed at the forum was supplying energy to remote and isolated areas of the Arctic that need self-sufficient power sources. Six companies offered to implement investment projects using solar, coal, hydrogen and biomass power generation technology.

Vera Myasoedova, professor at the Semenov Institute of Chemical Physics of the Russian Academy of Sciences and Doctor of Chemical Sciences, presented the latest technologies that can be used in the Arctic. Solutions such as using agro-industrial or solid waste for cement plant kilns will reduce the environmental load on the fragile nature of the polar regions.

Elena Kudryashova, the rector of NAFU, noted that, as an area of strategic national interest, the Arctic was a testing ground for the innovative development of the Russian economy and its fuel and energy sector. It will take a joint effort to make the research and development of the Arctic territories more efficient. Therefore, an agreement on the creation of the Russian-Asian Arctic Research Consortium was signed during the forum. 

"Unlike many other consortia, we will be open both to the university and other organisations focused on solving the pressing issues faced by the Arctic. We are also open to interaction with other countries, especially Asian ones. I hope that the parties' consolidation will strengthen our common message in the research and development of the Arctic," said NEFU rector Anatoly Nikolaev.