Throughout its history, the Northern Forum has held various events (project meetings, workshops, meetings of the Regional Coordinators Committee, General Assemblies) in different countries, including Russia, USA, Canada, Iceland, Sweden, Finland, China, Republic of Korea, Japan, Mongolia, and New Zealand.
Global events which caused a nearly total stop of international cooperation in the Arctic have changed the development priorities and geography of not only states, but also of international organizations. New alliances, associations and logistics routes are emerging. The world is becoming multipolar. Russia and China have become strategic partners, and a lot in shaping the new future for the humanity depends on their vision.
In these complicated conditions of the changing international situation,the task is to strengthen partnerships at all levels. Cooperation at the regional level appears to be one of the most effective tools for solving practical tasks of achieving sustainable development and strengthening the economies of the cooperating countries.
At that, it seems most optimal to establish cooperation within the framework of reputable interregional structures. Among those, the international organization of northern regions The Northern Forum, established in 1991, holds a special place, providing effective forms and mechanisms of work for its member regions and business partners.
The Northern Forum partners from the People's Republic of China appreciated the new course of its development and were fully supportive of strengthening cooperation with the regions of the Asian countries and of going global.
At the suggestion of the Northern Forum Goodwill Ambassador, Executive Director of the Arctic Research Center at the Ocean University of China Professor Guo Peiqing, the Northern Forum is launching a series of annual Northern Forum events in the Asian countries, held as The Northern Forum - China, The Northern Forum – Japan, etc., which would also convene the stakeholders from other countries, interested in constructive cooperation for the sustainable development, business, scientific, educational and cultural exchange, and establishing mutually advantageous relations in all aspects.
The planned events will emphasize climate change, preservation and use of permafrost, and strengthening and developing cooperation in the Arctic.
The idea was supported by the President of Xuan Yuan Group Mr. Xue Xingfa, who suggested to investigate the possibility of organizing the first of such forums at the Group’s venue in Harbin.
XY Group is the international corporation Xuan Yuan established in 1995. At present, it employs over 1000 people in its offices in North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Central Asia.
The most important areas of the corporation's activities are international trade in railway, industrial and technological equipment, as well as engineering work, construction of infrastructure facilities (bridges and roads, residential and commercial buildings), supply and installation of factories and production lines of any complexity.
XY Group is a major developer and manufacturer of systems for the prevention and response to the human-induced and natural emergencies.
XY Group is one of the major investors in Russia, making great efforts to promote the development of effective business cooperation, offering all opportunities for opening the representative offices of Russian companies, holding major business events and negotiations, and displaying products at its venues in China. It can become one of the anchor companies for the rapid development of economic ties between the countries.
The Northern Forum gratefully accepted the invitation of XY Group President Xue Xingfa and started joint work to prepare a business forum timed to the VIII ChinaRussia EXPO to be held on May 17-21, 2024.
Venue and dates
The Business Forum will be held in Harbin at the venue of XY Group. The exact dates and time will be specified later, with the view of the EXPO program. Provisionally, May 19.
Goal of the Forum
Discussing the opportunities for cooperation between the Northern Forum and the regions and organizations of the People’s Republic of China, as well as other countries interested in interacting with the northern and Arctic territories.
Organizers
The Northern Forum and XY Group.
With the support of the Governments of the Sakha Republic (Yakutia) and Heilongjiang Province.
Partners
Ocean University of China (Qingdao), Harbin Engineering University, Interregional Partnership Sustainable Development of the Far East and the Arctic (Moscow). Other interested companies will be invited as well.
Key topic
Taking into account a rapid development of innovative technologies in various areas of the economy, as well as the need to apply them for protecting and developing the Arctic under permafrost thawing and climate change, the host party has proposed the following key topic for discussion:
The Northern Forum – China: Cooperation in Innovative Technologies for the Protection and Development of the Arctic.
Provisional topics for discussion:
− Potential for developing macroregional cooperation in the rapidly changing world;
− Northern Forum as an example of supporting successful regional interaction;
− Status of development and application of innovation for achieving sustainable development in the Arctic;
− Increasing the Arctic resilience under the accelerated climate change;
− Permafrost as a natural refrigerator for preserving biological materials and informational technologies. Is cold needed for developing the AI?;
− Biotechnologies and medical technologies for improving the quality of life and life expectancy;
− Breakthrough in science and education: what has to be done in foreseeable future?
The Northern Forum and XY Group are looking to cooperate with the interested stakeholders from different countries.
Representatives of national governments, heads and delegations of regions, representatives of business circles, science, education and media are invited.
For participants
All necessary information is available at:
You can register on this website or submit your application form (please find attached) to the Northern Forum Secretariat.
You are also suggested to register for the VIII China-Russia EXPO, which will allow you to access the XXXIII Harbin International Economic and Trade Fair.
EXPO webpage:
https://www.chtf.org.cn/en/index.php
You will find appropriate information about visa to China on EXPO website as well.
