Murmansk, Nenets, Yamal-Nenets, Chukotka Autonomous Okrugs and northern municipalities of Arkhangelsk, Komi Republic, Krasnoyarsk Territory, Republic of Sakha (Yakutia)
Arctic Indigenous Peoples
40 Indigenous peoples live in Russia. The largest include: Dolgan, Nganasan, Nenets, Saami, Khanty, Chukchi, Evenk, Even, Enets, Eskimo (Yupik) and Yukagir
The Russian Arctic is an immense territory that stretches over 24,150 kilometers of coastline and includes:
Russia stretches over 53 percent of the Arctic Ocean coastline. Approximately two and a half million of Russia’s inhabitants live in Arctic territory, accounting for nearly half of the population living in the Arctic worldwide. Therefore, efficient and sustainable development of the Arctic is one of the key national priorities of the Russian Federation. Other key national interests in the Arctic include:
The extraction of natural resources, primarily oil and natural gas, is Russia’s primary Arctic industry. The country is the world’s third-largest producer of hydrocarbon resources. Another priority area is the socio-economic development of the Arctic region in the Russian Federation, including improvement of quality of life for the Indigenous population and of social conditions for economic activity in the Arctic. Development of science and technology are key focuses, along with the creation of an up-to-date information and telecommunication infrastructure. Environmental safety and international cooperation in the Arctic are other priority areas for the Russian Federation.
Russia has 40 legally recognized Indigenous small-numbered peoples of the North, Siberia and the Far East. Of the 40 Indigenous Peoples, 11 live around or above the Arctic Circle, the largest groups including Dolgan, Nganasan, Nenets, Saami, Khanty, Chukchi, Evenk, Even, Enets, Eskimo (Yupik) and Yukagir. Traditionally, Indigenous peoples relied on reindeer herding, fishing and hunting.
Russia held the country’s first Arctic Council chairmanship from 2004-2006. Throughout the chairmanship, Russia promoted projects in the following fields:
Key accomplishments include:
Russia will hold its second chairmanship in 2021-2023. During its upcoming Chairmanship, Russia plans to focus on economic, social and environmental sustainable development in the Arctic region. Russia will build upon joint efforts with the Arctic Council States on the principles of international law and with respect and consideration of each other’s interests in various areas from research and implementation of environmental projects to the use of the Northern Sea Route.
Next Arctic Council Chairmanship: 2021-2023