The article examines the perceived drivers of economic growth and the corresponding implications for proactive, evidence-based policies, discusses national issues and shapes a shared vision for the future among key interested parties. The authors highlight the main drivers of change and economic growth in the Arctic, including energy security, climate change, and transportation development, which have a huge direct impact on the Arctic region across all three dimensions of sustainable development: economic, social, and environmental. The authors consider the following as the problems facing the creation of conditions for economic growth in the Arctic region of the Russian Federation, in terms of sustainable development: environment, problems of the Arctic population, management problems in the changing Arctic, and the adaptation of technologies and production processes to the Arctic climate. In conclusion, the authors deduce that the creation of a joint group consisting of relevant private, public, governmental and non-governmental organizations would be the best strategy for considering effective mechanisms for multinational and multilateral governance of sustainable development in the Russian Arctic zone. The authors also believe that in order to create conditions for economic growth in the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation and to facilitate further transition to sustainable development, the authorities at the first stage should provide economic support measures for doing business, especially in two key areas for the Arctic: the development of animal husbandry and the development of various types of tourism.