This article describes the macroeconomical significance of the Arctic, as well as the problems and prospects for its development. The author of the article describes the current macroeconomical, political, geographical and social situation in the region. The article deals with issues concerning trade routes in the Arctic region. An attempt is made to justify the positions of the member countries of the Arctic Council on the resources concentrated in the region, as well as the urgency of extracting these resources under current conditions, taking into account globalization processes. The relevance of the article is due to changes in climatic conditions and access to new economic resources in the Arctic The article illustrates the obvious confrontation between states, justified by economic reasons. The prospects of cooperation between the countries for the development of this region within the framework of international organizations are also examined. A separate item is the Arctic strategy of the Russian Federation and the method of its implementation. The results of activities of a number of organizations in the framework of projects aimed at sustainable development of the Arctic zone are described.