The Russian National Committee for United Nations Environment Programme (UNEPCOM) endorsed Rosneft and the Russian Geographical Society's initiative to continue its Arctic research program. This program will help define the principles of economic activity regulations in the region, including ecological rules of shelf development.
This initiative was announced 21 July during a roundtable at the Arctic Research and Design Centre. Regional scientists from the areas of oceanography, geology, glaciology, ecology, biology of the seas, climatology and meteorology created the program.
Scientists will set priorities in the Arctic research and will develop international scientific cooperation.
UNEPCOM was established in 1994 as a joint initiative of the UN Environment Programme and the Russian Federation state organizations to address the environment and to promote the sustainable development of Russia.