Moscow, March 17 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin will attend the international Arctic Conference where the exploration and development of mineral resources, environmental protection and improving transport infrastructure in the region will be discussed, an official said.

The conference will be held in Moscow April 22-23.

Svetlana Mironyuk, editor-in-chief of RIA Novosti, said: 'The conference will be the first major international project of the RGS (Russian Geographical Society.'

The conference is to be attended by representatives of international organisations, members of the Arctic Council comprising Russia, Canada, the US, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden.

The conference's agenda will highlight the exploration and development of mineral resources, in particular in offshore areas, environmental protection, and improving transport infrastructure in the Arctic.

The RGS, a non-governmental organization, is the leading Russian public and scientific agency focused on environmental problems and climate change and is key in drafting a comprehensive approach to the studies of Russia's polar regions.