Q&A with the new PAME Chair, Abidat Magomedova

The new Chair of the PAME Working Group highlights sustainable shipping and marine litter prevention as two areas we should keep an eye on over the next two years. Learn more about Abidat Magomedova, her ambitions for the Working Group, and her most memorable Arctic moments.

What led you to this role?

For more than a decade, I have been working in the field of international environmental cooperation at the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation, with a special focus on relations with Arctic states.

Cooperation in the Arctic has always been a priority for me. That's why I transferred to the Ministry for the Development of the Russian Far East and Arctic, where I worked for several years as Deputy Director of the Department of International Cooperation and Technological Development. After that, I returned to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.

As someone who focuses on international cooperation in the Arctic, especially in the field of environmental protection, my work has been interconnected with Arctic Council activities. I took part in CAFF activities as a member of the Russian delegation, and also served as SDWG Chair during the Russian chairship of the Arctic Council from 2021 to 2023.

What inspires you about PAME's work? What is the core focus of PAME's work, and why is it so important today?

We can clearly see that protection of coastal, marine and ocean environments is getting more attention with each passing year, especially as we're assessing progress on the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda. In this regard, protection of the Arctic marine environment and sustainable use of its resources are essential, given that the ecosystems in the North are especially fragile to the impact of human activities.

PAME is the driving force for comprehensive cross-boundary research and practical actions for the overarching goal of preserving the seas and oceans in the Arctic. I believe that only together we can make a difference and achieve substantial results, and the ongoing work of PAME and its Expert Groups gives us such an opportunity.

What are some of PAME's focus areas over the next two years?

One of our main focus areas right now is definitely updating the Arctic Marine Strategic Plan for the period after 2025. This plan is the key strategic document that guides PAME's activities. Given its broad scope, input from all Arctic Council participants and working groups is required to build a framework that highlights priority areas and strengthens integration, coordination, and collaboration on marine-related activities across the Council.

How would you describe the significance of PAME's work for the Arctic - and beyond?

The Arctic is now undergoing serious environmental and developmental changes. As sea ice extent reduces, marine access in the Arctic Ocean is changing rapidly, bringing longer seasons of ship navigation and new routes to coastal regions. In this regard, comprehensive assessment of the state of the marine environment becomes crucial. Development of specific measures to protect the sensitive environment of the Arctic needs to be based on the results of such research.

PAME's work brings together both aspects, combining various projects and initiatives - from studying the marine environment to global strategic planning and concrete actions 'in the field'. This complex approach is key to effectively protecting the Arctic marine environment - and by preserving the Arctic, we contribute to making the whole world a better place.

What are your ambitions as Chair of PAME?

While continuing the implementation of ongoing projects, I also intend to further extend PAME's work, including launching new initiatives on engaging youth in PAME activities.

Hard work and joint efforts of PAME experts need to be shared with Arctic communities, governments, industries and other stakeholders, so I believe that outreach activities and active dissemination of PAME project deliverables should be strengthened.

What are some of PAME's projects that we should keep an eye on over the next two years?

Given the increasing role of shipping in the Arctic, we need to focus on making it more sustainable.

Moreover, marine litter is also becoming more prominent as of now, harming marine ecosystems and living creatures in the Arctic. My hope is to unite the efforts of PAME and organizations operating on the national level in Arctic states.

Can you share a memorable Arctic moment?

I have a long experience of working in the field of developing the Russian Arctic and preserving its environment - and for several years, one of the major directions in this area was the construction of the North Pole ice-resistant self-propelled platform.

The North Pole is a unique vessel, the world's only ice-resistant platform designed specifically for conducting state-of-the-art polar scientific research across more than 50 fields of knowledge, including meteorology, hydrobiology, oceanography, geophysics and many others. That's why I was very happy to witness its launch - finally seeing the results of such a long journey become reality was really inspiring and left an unforgettable impression on me. Since 2022, the North Pole has been in operation and is currently on its second scientific expedition, which began on September 30 of last year and will continue until 2026.

And, of course, the in-person meeting of the SAOs in 2021 in Salekhard,the only city in the world located exactly on the Arctic Circle,still warms my heart. That was back when I served as SDWG Chair. I hope that we will be able to resume the full-scale work of the Arctic Council and return to traditional in-person meetings within the next two years, both within PAME and across the Council in general.