July 28, 2025, at the XVI General Assembly of the Northern Forum in Khanty-Mansiysk, we are proud to announce a significant expansion of our family! These additions strengthen our mission for the sustainable development of northern regions and open new prospects for global partnership.

New Business Partners Join Our Team:

• ANO "Expert Center – Project Office for Arctic Development" (Moscow), led by General Director Maxim Andreevich Dankin. Their expertise in Arctic projects will be an invaluable contribution to our joint work on the strategic development of the region.
• LLC "Kierge" (jewelry company, Yakutsk, Republic of Sakha (Yakutia)), headed by Director Alexander Kirillovich Pavlov. "Kierge" will bring unique experience in monetizing cultural heritage through creative industries to the Forum, showcasing the beauty and distinctiveness of the North to the world.

Welcoming Our New Northern Forum Goodwill Ambassadors:

We are also delighted to welcome our new Goodwill Ambassadors – outstanding figures who will help promote our initiatives on the international stage:

• Andrey Savvich Borisov (Republic of Sakha (Yakutia)) – State Counselor of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), General Director of the "Arctic Center of Epic and Arts," People's Artist of Russia, Honored Artist of Russia. His deep knowledge of the culture and art of the North will be a powerful voice in promoting the civilizational identity of the Arctic.
• Dodiya Indraraj Vanraj (Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India) – Director of "Dodiya Enterprises." His participation underscores the expansion of our partnership with Asian countries and opens new horizons for economic cooperation.
• Maria Lvovna Lagutina (Saint Petersburg) – Doctor of Political Sciences, Professor at the Department of World Politics, Saint Petersburg State University. Her expertise in international relations will strengthen the analytical capacity of the Forum.
• Maria Alexandrovna Pitukhina (Petrozavodsk, Republic of Karelia) – Professor at Petrozavodsk State University, Leading Researcher at the Institute of Economics, Karelian Research Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Doctor of Political Sciences. Her scientific contribution will promote a deep understanding of socio-economic processes in the North.
• Irina Alexandrovna Strelnikova (Moscow) – Candidate of Juridical Sciences, Associate Professor at the National Research University Higher School of Economics, Researcher and Expert at the Center for Comprehensive European and Asian Studies, Senior Researcher at the Institute of China and Contemporary Asia of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Her knowledge in the field of foreign regional studies and Asian studies will be indispensable for the development of international partnership.

Honoring Walter Hickel Medal Laureates:

We extend special words of gratitude to the laureates of the Walter Hickel Medal – outstanding individuals whose contributions to the development of northern regions deserve the highest recognition:

• Vera Ivanovna Kondratieva – Northern Forum Goodwill Ambassador, Member of the Public Chamber of the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug – Yugra, Vice-President of the Public Organization "Спасение Югры" (Salvation of Yugra), composer and performer of ethnic songs. Her activities are a vivid example of preserving cultural heritage and active public work.
• Tatyana Alexandrovna Dyatlova – Candidate of Economic Sciences, Head of the Finno-Ugric direction at Yugra State University, Coordinator of the Association of Finno-Ugric Universities. Her scientific and organizational efforts bring significant results for the development of northern regions.

Letters of Appreciation for Significant Contributions to the Northern Forum's Work were Awarded to:

• Inna Grigoryevna Arkanova, Deputy Director of the Department – Head of the External Relations Division of the Department for Youth Policy, Civic Initiatives and External Relations of the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug – Yugra.
• Paolo Venturini, extreme ultramarathoner, Northern Forum Goodwill Ambassador, Italy.

We are confident that the new members, Goodwill Ambassadors, and Walter Hickel Medal laureates will make an invaluable contribution to achieving the Northern Forum's goals and strengthening international cooperation for a sustainable and prosperous future in the Arctic!

Together, we are building the future of the North!