People's vulnerability to climate change focus of the International Arctic Forum

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‍Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang is attending the International Arctic Forum (IAF) in the Russian city of Arkhangelsk, on the northern edge of the Eurasia continent, which will focus on the vulnerability of people to climatic change.

The forum begins on Wednesday and will last for two days.

The central theme of this year’s event is "People and the Arctic," and aims at bringing international organizations, government entities, and scientific and business bodies together to ensure the sustainable development of the Arctic, and contribute to raising the living standard of those in the Arctic region.

TASS Photo

Wang is attending the forum at the invitation of Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin.

During his visit to Russia, Wang will also co-hold with Rogozin the chairmen's meeting of the joint commission for regular meetings between the Chinese and Russian Prime Ministers.

"Wang Yang's new visit demonstrates the Chinese government's high level of interest in developing cooperation between our countries, including between China and the Arkhangelsk Region," Chinese Consul General in St. Petersburg Guo Min said, as reported by the forum's press service.

Of the five nations with Arctic coastlines, Russia has the longest – stretching more than 16,000 kilometers.

Other states also have vital interests in the Arctic, including China, South Korea, Great Britain, and Japan.

Wang will deliver keynote speech on the forum on Wednesday.

Russian President Vladimir Putin will also attend the forum.

The IAF was first held in September 2010 in the Russian capital Moscow by a public organization. As of 2017, the forum is taking place with government support.