Welcoming colleagues, KarRC RAS CEO Olga Bakhmet reminded that the event is being held within the framework of the International Academic Forum dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the Karelian Research Centre RAS, which encompasses a number of conferences, workshops and roundtables.
– We are launching a major conference dedicated to international and interregional cooperation. It is about strengthening the ties that must serve a common cause, so that our research, firstly, meets world standards, and, secondly, aligns with the development goals of both our region and the country as a whole, – emphasized Olga Bakhmet.
The conference was opened by KarRC RAS CEO, RAS Corr. Fellow Olga Bakhmet
Vice President of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Academician Stepan Kalmykov, read out the letter of congratulations from RAS President Gennady Krasnikov, which acknowledges the significant success achieved by the Karelian Research Centre: “Largely owing to the Centre’s team, major results have been achieved in geology, mineralogy, biology and ecology of northern ecosystems, geodesy, social development, data modeling and information technologies. We welcome the fact that the Karelian Research Centre cherishes its unique science schools, that scientists pass valuable knowledge and expertise on to the younger generation, strengthening the region’s human resource potential. I am confident that the devotion to tradition, purpose and professionalism of the staff will continue to enable the center to tackle the most challenging tasks”.
Vice President of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Academician Stepan Kalmykov
On behalf of the Karelian Government, the scientific community was greeted by First Deputy Head of the Republic of Karelia Andrey Sergeev.
– Karelia is a land of forests and lakes. Naturally, we are extremely interested in discussing topics related to nature management and environment. Our primary objective is a tradeoff between development and conservation: on the one hand, we need to develop the economy, and on the other, it is crucial to always conserve the nature. That is why we are very glad that you will be exchanging expertise in tourism, ecology and nature management and sharing practical results, – said the Karelian Prime Minister addressing the scientists.
First Deputy Head of the Republic of Karelia Andrey Sergeev
One more speaker at the conference opening session was member of the State Duma Valentina Pivnenko. She stressed the role of the KarRC RAS in the scientific substantiation and development of projects for the socio-economic development of the republic as well as the country at large. These included the recognition of Karelia as a ‘region of the High North or its equivalent’, projects related to the development of the Arctic and the protection of Lakes Onego and Ladoga, and expert review of the current forest legislation.
– Employees of the Karelian Research Centre have turned into leading experts: expert assessments by our scientists are taken into account when discussing many draft laws. Collaborative work of the KarRC RAS, the Legislative Assembly of the Republic of Karelia, its Government, the State Duma and the Federation Council is now common practice. Of special relevance now are joint projects between scientists and practitioners, for example, regarding the use of the resources of the White Sea. We are gratefully looking forward to new compelling scientific research and findings, – commented Valentina Pivnenko.
Conference participants
– The international content of this conference is fully in line with all the ideas behind cooperation within the BRICS interstate association. These contacts have vast prospects and a great future, especially in such areas as nature management and environment, – noted Andrey Kudryavtsev, Acting Representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Russia in Petrozavodsk.
He quoted from the welcoming address from State Secretary and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Evgeny Ivanov. “Karelian Research Centre RAS is contributing substantially to the advancement of the academic potential of Northwest Russia and the international scientific ties of the Republic of Karelia”, – the address emphasizes. The ministry notes the special importance of the substantive focus of the conference, centered on topical issues of sustainable nature management and interaction between science, businesses and authorities. Such an interdisciplinary approach is especially promising given the growing role of the Arctic on the modern scientific and international agenda.
First Vice President of the Academy of Sciences of Abkhazia Sergey Bebia
Anniversary greetings to the KarRC RAS during the opening ceremony were delivered also by First Vice President of the Academy of Sciences of Abkhazia Sergei Bebia. The journal “Transactions of the Karelian Research Centre RAS” are known far and wide, including to us,” – he added, and reminded that in 2026 a cooperation agreement was signed between the Karelian Research Centre and the Academy of Sciences of Abkhazia. Roman Pivnenko, Director of the Karelian Branch of RANEPA, also joined in the congratulations.
One of the main research partner countries for the Karelian Research Centre RAS is India. In February 2026, a delegation of the KarRC RAS visited the Indian state of Karnataka and took part in a number of conferences there. Following these, MoUs were signed with Visvesvaraya Technological University and Alva’s Institute of Engineering and Technology. Today, colleagues from India are taking part in the conference at the KarRC RAS. The audience was welcomed by Dr. Bharath Setturu, Associate Professor at the School of Engineering, Chanakya University (India).
– We are witnessing a historic consolidation of efforts: we are combining the rich scientific heritage of the Russian Academy of Sciences and the Karelian Research Centre with the powerful educational potential of India’s leading academic institutions. Chanakya University provides the intellectual foundation for integrating complex technologies, such as artificial intelligence, with social, economic and science research. Alva’s educational institution, consistently committed to holistic learning and advanced techniques, boasts a rich pool of talent, innovation and research. VTU’s institutions in Angadi form a dynamically developing hub of research and education. Effectively, this is not a symbolic alliance, but an emerging practical tool for joint research projects designed to deal with global environmental, technological and computational challenges, as well as for the exchange of expertise and faculty, – stressed Dr. Bharath Setturu.
RAS Corr. Fellow Olga Bakhmet and Dr. Bharath Setturu
Following his speech, a cooperation agreement was formally signed between the Karelian Research Centre RAS and the Angadi Institute of Technology and Management (Belagavi, Karnataka, India). The signees were KarRC RAS leader, RAS Corr. Fellow Olga Bakhmet, and Director and Founding Trustee of the Angadi Institute of Technology and Management Anand Deshpande.
Within the conference’s opening ceremony, employees of the Karelian Research Centre were presented with awards in connection with the Centre’s 80th anniversary. Certificates of Honor from the Russian Academy of Sciences were awarded to Igor Baryshev, Leading Researcher at the Institute of Biology; Tatyana Vasilyeva, Researcher at the Institute of Linguistics, Literature and History; Ilya Elagin, Captain of the Fleet Service; Lyudmila Koivistoinen, Head of the Contracting Service; Natalya Krutskikh, Senior Researcher at the Institute of Geology; Lyudmila Lysenko, Leading Researcher at the Institute of Biology; Yulia Chirkova, Leading Researcher at the Institute of Applied Mathematical Research; and Maria Yurkevich, Senior Researcher at the Department for Multidisciplinary Research. Alexander Ivanov, Leading Researcher at the Institute of Applied Mathematical Research, received a Letter of Acknowledgement from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Russia.
Leading Researcher of the Institute of Biology KarRC RAS Igor Baryshev with Vice President of the Russian Academy of Sciences Stepan Kalmykov
Larisa Anikieva, Leading Researcher at the Institute of Biology, was awarded the honorary title of Merited Scientist of the Republic of Karelia. Badges of Honor from the Head of the Republic of Karelia “For Contribution to the Development of the Republic of Karelia” were awarded to Lyudmila Vavulinskaya, Senior Researcher at the Institute of Linguistics, Literature and History; Vladimir Kovalevsky, Chief Researcher at the Institute of Geology; Sergey Rozhkov, Leading Researcher at the Institute of Biology; Sergey Sinkevich, Leading Researcher at the Forest Research Institute; and Tamara Tikhomirova, Senior Researcher at the Institute of Applied Mathematical Research. Certificates of Honor from the Government of the Republic of Karelia were given to Elizaveta Matveeva, Secretary for Science of the Institute of Biology; Andrey Pechnikov, Leading Researcher at the Institute of Applied Mathematical Research; Alexey Polevoi, Leading Researcher at the Forest Research Institute; and Tatyana Regerand, Deputy Director for Science Administration at the Northern Water Problems Institute.
Merited Scientist of the Republic of Karelia Larisa Anikieva with KarRC RAS CEO Olga Bakhmet
The conference continues through the plenary and parallel thematic sessions. During the three days, scientists from different countries will share their research findings, learn about the research targets of Karelian scientists, seek contact points, and discuss how to efficiently set up international cooperation.
The first conference on BRICS interregional cooperation was held at KarRC RAS in 2023. Two years later, its geography was significantly expanded due to the accession of Egypt, Iran, the UAE and Ethiopia to the interstate alliance. The current conference has gathered more than 100 participants, including some 80 contributing authors.
Conference participants
The International Academic Forum “Science Beyond Borders: Interdisciplinary Scientific Cooperation” is taking place at the Karelian Research Centre RAS on 14–18 September as part of the events celebrating the institution’s 80th anniversary. It comprises several major research-to-practice conferences in Natural Sciences and the Humanities. The day before, the Fifth International Workshop on Stochastic Modeling and Applied Research in Technology: SMARTY 2026 started at the Institute of Applied Mathematical Research of KarRC RAS. Also on 14 September, All-Russian Conference (with international participation) “The Conservation and Scientific Value of Protected Areas (PAs): Implication for Sustainable Nature Management and National Environmental Well-being” was held.
Photos: Denis Milyutin
