On 22-23 October, the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute (AARI) hosted a conference dedicated to the conditions and monitoring of the Ob-Yenisey region, addressing broader issues that apply to the Arctic as a whole.
More than 30 reports were presented, focusing on a multitude of issues connected to the development of the Ob-Yenisey region: hydrological and environmental monitoring, climate change, ice conditions, legal questions regarding the definition of marine regions and zoning, and the relationship between science and rapid economic development in the North.
Key trends in research are centred on using satellites to acquire data and artificial intelligence to process large amounts of information. Researchers demonstrated that satellite data allows for the study of ice cohesion, sea ice dynamics, upwelling, and more.
Among the problems raised, two key issues persist: a lack of qualified specialists in situ at distant hydrological stations in the Arctic, which raises concerns about data reliability, and differing legal interpretations of the Ob-Yenisey region due to the absence of a joint system and agreements between state agencies and various fields of research.
For example, a report by E. Rumyantseva, O. Muzhdaba, A. Piskun, and M. Tretyakov, which focused on zoning in the Kara Sea estuary, revealed that four agencies in Russia view the legal boundaries of this region differently.
Regarding data reliability, much depends on attracting specialists to work in the Arctic. However, this does not currently appear to be a top priority. One proposed solution is to launch more dedicated expeditions to the Ob and Yenisey rivers for smaller-scale research.
The issues highlighted by experts underscore the long-awaited need for consolidation among different scientific fields, companies, and state agencies working in the region. This theme became a leitmotif of the POLAR 2024 conference at AARI and has remained a leading topic in the discourse.
The estuary of the Ob and Yenisey may seem insignificant on a larger scale; however, despite its relatively small size within the Russian Arctic, the issues faced by this region resonate strongly with broader Arctic challenges.
The same call for consolidation appeared on 30 October during the 190th anniversary of the Russian Federal Agency for Hydrometeorology and Envrionmental Monitoring. "Recommendations should be made to consolidate our scientific, technical and industrial potential to address priority challenges in the fields of weather, climate, water and environment," said the Director of the Agency.
Continuous improvement in monitoring and data sharing can enhance the network of the Northern Sea Route, contributing to the safety of navigation, and promote rational economic development in the area, aiming to preserve the fragile regional environment.
The Editorial Board of The Arctic Century
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