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Draft Minutes of the Standing Committee of Parliamentarians of the Arctic Region held on 28 September 2011 in Syktyvkar, Komi Republic, Russia
Draft minutes SCPAR meeting in Syktyvkar 28 September 2011 Opening of the meeting
ADOPTION OF AGENDA AND ORDER OF AGENDA ITEMS The meeting was opened by Senator Torlopov and Chair of SCPAR Mr. Morten Høglund. Deputy Head of Komi Republic Mr. Konstantin Romadanov wished the Committee welcome to Komi and Syktyvkar. Remembering the meeting of SCPAR in Syktyvkar in 2001, Mr. Romadanov thanked Mr. Torlopov and Mr. Markov for bringing the Committee to Syktyvkar. Speaker of the Regional Duma Ms. Marina Isitkovskaya, welcomed SCPAR and mentioned some of the current political issues in the Republic of Komi. The Republic is engaged in new projects to improve the handling and utilization of waste. Ms. Isitkovskaya also mentioned the work to preserve new areas of the Komi Republic by making natural preserved areas with strong limitations of industrial development. Mr. Høglund informed the Committee that the meeting would be divided into two parts. The first part would be presentations from invited experts, and the second part after lunch would be internal matters for the Committee. Decision: The Committee adopted the agenda and the proposed order of agenda items with the added information presented by the Chair.
1. INTERGOVERNMENTAL AND INTERREGIONAL COOPERATION IN THE ARCTIC REGION – THE KOMI EXPERIENCE The Russian member of SCPAR Mr. Vladimir Torlopov introduced the Committee to the experiences of the Komi republic on international cooperation. Being the largest region in the North of Russia, Komi is active in many areas of international cooperation. The most important is the Barents Euro-Arctic Cooperation (BEAC), but there are also many bilateral agreements with neighboring countries. The BEAC Strategy for social and economic development has top priority and the Komi representatives actively participate in the Working Group on these matters in BEAC. Important BEAC projects in Komi are the new library with a new international information center and the North transportation corridor/Barents link with the new railway construction between counties and countries in the Barents region. In May 2009 the Third Barents Parliamentary conference took place in Syktyvkar and in August 2011 a new Finno-Ugric cultural park opened in Yb. In the Pechora delta the republic has a project together with Global Environment Fund (GEF) to preserve the nature. Mr. Torlopov underlined the importance of the close connection with Finland as Komi is a part of the Finno-Ugric world and that the cooperation is developing well. Cooperation projects with Finland include areas such as: forestry, fishing, reindeer, environmental tourism, energy saving, medical cooperation – cardiology, and the cultural cooperation through the recently opened Finno-Ugric center. This meeting with SCPAR is a new step in building Syktyvkar as a meeting place for international cooperation. Decision: The Committee took note of the information.
2. ADVANCEMENT OF ARCTIC RESEARCH AND SCIENCE IN THE KOMI REPUBLIC Mr. Askhab Askhabov, Presidium Chairman of the Komi Scientific Centre and member of Russian Academy of Sciences informed the committee about the development of universities in the Republic of Komi. The first university opened in 1906 and in the first period the focus was on social and humanitarian studies. As the industrialization of the republic started in the 1930ies and 1940ies new research branches started related to the industry. In 1946 a new center was established and it created a new start for research in natural sciences. Today the State University has a number of institutes including geology, psychology, chemistry and language. The university is still doing a lot a work related to the utilization the natural resources in the republic. The institute of geology is involved in mapping of oilfields off shore and at Novaia Semlja. The Institute of biology is i.a. working the ecosystems of the tundra and its connection to climate gasses and the migration routes of Northern Reindeers A study on the effect of oil and gas industry on human health in the Komi republic is ongoing. They also give input when new federal laws on arctic issues are being made. On questions from the Committee regarding the effects of oil and gas industry on human health, Mr. Askhabov informed that the project has started but no results are published yet. Members of the Committee asked how the global recession has hit Komi, they wanted to get more information of the railway project, how they work to balance environmental protection with exploitation of natural resources, and the situation in recruiting young scientists? Mr. Askhabov noted that young people are not as eager as before to go into science and that there is a brain drain from the rural areas to the big cities and to the international community. However this has not been a big problem so far in the Republic of Komi. As regards to balance development and protection there needs to be found consensus and compromises. Mr. Torolpov mentioned the large oil spill in Komi in the mid 90ies and as a result of this the regulations meet international standards, if not even stricter. The area where the oils spill took place is today rich in fish and they have managed to restore the original environment after the oil spill. Mr. Torlopov noted that the European recession has hit Komi. The republic is very dependent of natural resources and taxes from the industry. But compared to other subjects in Russia, Komi is rather well off. The cooperation with Lukoil is good and in 2010 and 2011 the tax flow has been good. This has allowed Komi to adopt new regulations related to housing problems and other social issues. The railway project has support from central Russian authorities and is also cooperation between Russian subjects. With regards to a question regarding the labor market, Mr. Torlopov said that there is very little unemployment in Komi – 3-4 % is one of the lowest in the Russian federation. Decision: The Committee took note of the information.
3. NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION – REGIONAL ASPECTS Mr. Sergey Geraimovich, Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection of the Republic of Komi informed the Committee about the rich natural resources in the Republic of Komi. The resources include oil, gas, coal, different minerals including diamonds and gold. Emphasis is being put on sustainable growth and environmental safety. They have learned many lessons from cleaning up after the oil spill in the 90ies. There are currently 145 gas fields and six coal mines in use and there are rich reserves. The infrastructure may have negative impact on the environment. Special programs for environmental protection started in 1930ies and today 14, 5 % of the Komi Republic is preserved. Waste handling are now being dealt with in new programs. Mr. Geraimovich underlined that waste handling is a big problem and the percentage of recycling is low. Industry waste from wood harvesting and coal origins from inconvenient places of industry far away from other infrastructure. They seek to better utilize low quality wood. Priority is given to the supply of high quality drinking water with different projects spanning from 2011-2015. Projects through the Barents Euro-Arctic Cooperation on environmental protection include 11 programs for cleaner production such as training of engineers. The government has environmental events to engage the wider public through environmental training and education. The Committee was wondering how they combine the extraction of oil and gas and mitigation of climate change, and about the effects of the melting permafrost. Mr. Geraimovich said they have different commission taking care of these issues. One Commission will soon meet in Usinsk and visit an installation to look at the preparedness in case of an accident. Replying to another question from the Committee Mr. Geraimovich did not see a conflict between the extraction of natural resources and the preservation of the nature. From the 1930ies special protected have been established, and today there are 137 protected areas including two 2 from the federal level. Inventory of protected areas will be ready in 2014 and we will have a new policy for the protected areas. Decision: The Committee took note of the information
4. INDIGENOUS PEOPLES SUPPORT IN THE KOMI REPUBLIC Mr. Valery Markov, Senior Vice-Chairman of the State Council of the Republic of Komi introduced the Committee to the situation for the indigenous peoples in Komi. Today 60% are of Russian origin, 25 % Komi, and many other small numbered peoples. The recent years the number of Komi people has decreased. Nenets people, Khanty people and Mansi people live in special areas in the North as hunters. 74 % of the people in Komi live in urban settlements and 24 % lives rural. This has changed from 1970 until now as people are moving from rural areas to urban. The rights of the indigenous peoples are protected through legislation. The most important federal laws are the constitution, the languages and education law from 1991, and reindeer herding law from 2011. The Komi law shall be in accordance with the federal law. The implementation of the education law concerns i.e. the right to study native language in school, the history and culture. Economical support is given to traditional business initiatives. The Komi language is studied in 100 schools by 25 000 school children. However the state policy does not only support Komi people but also organizations for other peoples in Komi. Reindeer breeding development and infrastructure for meat and food production motivates entrepreneurship in local villages connected to reindeer husbandry. The Komi people congress was first congress held in 1991. The 10th Congress will be arranged in February 2012. The Congress proposes new legislation and is for Komi people living all over the Russian Federation. Members of the Committee wanted to know about the participation of women in society in general and especially at universities. There was also a question if there were conflicting interests between the indigenous population in Komi and the Russian population. Mr. Markov replied that they try to use the use of the Arctic neighbors as good examples in the work towards gender equality. The situation in Komi is getting better but from a lower level of equality. 90 % of the people in Komi used to be Komi people. In the mid 20th century the number was 50/50 and in the year 2000 25 % of the people were Komi. It has been the extraction of natural resources which mainly has brought new people to Komi. Komi is however a stable republic and no conflicts between its different peoples. Decision: The Committee took note of the information.
5. PARTICIPATION OF THE KOMI REPUBLIC UNIVERSITIES IN INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE PROGRAMS Rector Assistant, External Relations, Ukhta State Technical University Mr. Georgy Korsunov introduced the Committee to the subject of student exchange. Cooperation between educational institutions and student exchange are very effective in building mutual understanding between peoples and nations. The Barents Euro-Arctic Cooperation is important basis for the cooperation where they participate in the Working Group on education and research. The State Forest Institute has a close cooperation with Finland, Norway and Sweden. A project for planning of forestry includes many actors in the sector. They will develop new technology especially for Komi which includes a network of forest roads. In a bilateral Russian – Finnish program of forest sector development – the aim is the improvement of teachers. There are several cooperation projects with Finland on forestry. The Ukta University is also involved in the University of the Arctic, and is involved in cooperation projects with all the SCPAR members’ countries. A Bachelor program of Circumpolar studies is run together with the University of Nordland in Bodø Norway. The University is participating in the North2North cooperation in UArctic for student exchange. In May 2011 delegation from Maine University visited Syktyvkar to look into the possibilities of cooperation. The Ukta University cooperates with a French university on academic exchange and diploma projects and Arctic regions studies, and is involved in the Fulbright program, student exchange with Kazakhstan, and an English program with the US Department of State. Decision: The Committee took note of the information.
6. CLIMATE CHANGES IN QUATERNARY PERIOD IN EUROPEAN PART OF THE NORTH OF RUSSIA Dr. Lyudmila Andreicheva, Head of Department of the Geology Institute of the Komi Scientific Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences, presented her findings to the Committee. In the 20th century she had seen an increase in the temperature. Dr. Andreicheva noted that the climate on earth has always changed between warm and cold periods, and the period she had studied was very limited taking into account the time of existence of the earth. About 300 000 years ago the temperature was 1-2 degrees higher, birch and pine were more frequently observed. 240 000 – 180 000 years ago there were even higher temperatures – 2-4 degrees warmer than it is today. 50 000 – 25 000 years ago was a chilly period – 2-6 degrees colder than today, and 10 000 years ago was in a middle of an unstable but cold period. 5000 year ago the temperature was 2-3 degrees higher than today and there was forest up to the Pechora area. Today it is a stable chilling trend of the climate. Every high temperature period is 1 degree colder than the previous warm period. So based upon the studies of Dr. Andreicheva the climate is getting colder. Decision: The Committee took note of the information.
7. APPROVAL OF DRAFT MINUTES FROM THE SCPAR-MEETING IN Decision: The minutes from the meeting in Reykjavik 9 June 2010 was approved.
8. 10TH CONFERENCE OF PARLIAMENTARIANS OF THE ARCTIC REGION Ms. Gretarsdottir from Iceland updated the Committee on the preparation of the Conference and proposed to have the Conference in Akureyri 5-7 September 2012. Since the topics presented in the draft program are broad, some more consideration on the specific angels needs to be done. With regards to human development one of the main challenges is to get the policy recommendations in the science reports transformed into action. It was also proposed to look closer into how business development in the North is being financed after the financial crises. The Chair of the Committee also proposed that Finland, Sweden and Canada should appoint rapporteurs from their delegations as rapporteurs at the Conference. The mentioned delegations reported to the Chair that they needed to check this back home before they made any commitments. Decision: The Committee decided to arrange the 10th Conference of Parliamentarians of the Arctic Region in Akureyri 5-7 September 2012.
9. ARCTIC GOVERNANCE IN AN EVOLVING ARCTIC REGION Mr. Høglund guided the Committee through the updated proposal, based on the deliberations at the meeting in Reykjavik in June. He was generally satisfied with the paper. In addition to some editorial corrections Mr. Høglund proposed that latest development in the governance structure of the Arctic Council as the Search and Rescue agreement needs to be reflected in the paper. The parliamentarians should look upon this development and discuss how we can influence the future use of this new mechanism. The use of task forces to address specific areas of the Arctic cooperation creates new possibilities. The Committee needs to establish a dialogue with the Arctic Council in this respect. Mr. Høglund further noted that as new sea routes are opening up the Arctic countries should look at this more closely and develop a common Arctic shipping strategy. These thoughts were generally supported by the members of the Committee. Members of the Committee also pointed to the importance of the chapter concerning a “vision for the Arctic”. It was also proposed to include some words in the introduction concerning maritime safety, natural resources and human social well-being. Another proposal was to change the order of the different chapters – to have the proposal to establish an international organization as the final recommendation. Members of the Committee pointed to the importance of having participation of the indigenous peoples in discussing governance issues in the Arctic. Finally it was proposed to include something about ecosystem based management into the paper, which also could be a topic at the next meeting of the Committee. Decision: The Committee agreed that the updated paper on Arctic governance reflected the discussion in Reykjavik with the additions mentioned at the meeting in Syktyvkar.
10. PROPOSAL OF A ROTATING CHAIRMANSHIP OF SCPAR The Icelandic delegation presented the latest proposal of a rotating chairmanship of SCPAR: “The Chair of the Committee shall rotate between the members, ideally every two years.” Decision: The Chair of the Committee shall rotate between the members, ideally every two years.
11. ELECTION OF NEW VICE-CHAIR OF SCPAR Mr. Morten Høglund proposed Ms. Gudfridur Lilja Gretarsdottir as new Vice Chair of SCPAR. Decision: Ms. Gudfridur Lilja Gretarsdottir was unanimously elected as the new Vice Chair of SCPAR.
12. STATUS OF THE WORK OF SCPAR The Canadian delegation presented the principles and priorities in its Northern Strategy. The strategy was developed in 2009 and is based 4 priorities which continue to guide Canada’s policy on the Arctic. The priorities are: ·Exercising Arctic sovereignty ·Promoting social and economic development ·Protecting the environmental heritage ·Improving and devolving Northern Governance Canada continues to invest in the Arctic which includes an army training center in Resolute Bay, a new deep water berthing and fueling facility in Nanisvik, and the construction of a new fleet of patrol ships and icebreakers. The Arctic Waters Pollution Prevention Act will extend its application from 100 to 200 nautical miles from Canada’s coastline. There continue to be boundary disputes with Denmark and the United States, but these disputes are well managed. The dispute with Denmark concerns Hans Island which is a 1.3 square km uninhabited island and regular bilateral discussions are taking place to move towards a solution. In the Beaufort Sea the dispute concerns the maritime boundary north of Alaska and the Yukon. The disputed area measures approximately 6250 nautical miles and both has agreed to continue the dialogue and engage the experts from both countries to address the technical aspects of the boundary. In respect to the North-West passage Canada welcomes navigation in the Arctic waters but on the condition that ships respect Canadian controls related to safety, security, protection of the environment and Inuit interests. The North-west passage is internal waters of Canada, not an international strait. With respect to determining the extent of the Canadian continental shelf, a submission to the UN commission will presented by the end of 2013.The scientific work to map the shelf is done in cooperation with the US, Russia and Denmark. The Government of Canada continues to transfer power to the 3 Northern territories particularly in the areas of resource and land management. The Arctic Net project has received 67.3 million in funding and the aim to help to adapt to climate change. As a follow up of the International Polar Year Canada will host the conference “From Knowledge to Action” in Montreal 22-27 April 2012. In light of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico Canada has initiated a review of off-shore drilling practices in the Arctic. A number of projects in Canada involve aboriginal communities in the management of projects and development of economic life in the region. An example is the Mackenzie Gas project which directly involves aboriginal communities through a model of aboriginal participation. The Russian delegation reported that there is a constant work on Arctic legislation in the Russian federation. There was also a big Arctic meeting in Arkhangelsk last week. The meeting was organized by the Russian Geographical society, where Prime Minister Putin, many MPs and governmental representatives took part in discussion on the changing situation in the Arctic as a result of the global warming. The Icelandic delegation reported of more debate on Arctic issues within the Icelandic society. Two conferences in Akureyri, including the Northern Research Forum, have taken place recently. There is no news from parliament since the last meeting, but there has been a big media debate on the role of non Arctic states in the Arctic and the Arctic Council. This is partly because a Chinese company wants to buy a big piece of land in Iceland. The Swedish delegation noted that the presidency of the Arctic Council and a new Swedish Arctic Strategy has drawn the attention towards the Arctic in Sweden. The 5th Barents Parliamentary Conference took place 18-20 May in Luleå. Maritime safety in the Arctic is an important issue in the Nordic Council Committee on the Environment and Natural resources and a proposal on maritime safety will be discussed at the Nordic council session in the beginning of November. The Nordic Council and Torkil Sørensen informed the Committee of the theme of the Nordic Council session “Open Nordic Societies”. The Nordic Council of Ministers have prepared a new Arctic program and a new program for cooperation with the neighbors’ in the West – Canada The West-Nordic Council reported on the results of the Councils’ annual meeting last August where they recommended mapping out the common interest of the West-Nordic Countries to as a result of the changing climate. This will include shipping and utilization of natural resources. The topic for next year’s theme conference is the West-Nordic region’s position in the international community with a special focus on the Arctic and business development. The Finnish delegation noted that not much has happened after the election last spring. The Finnish delegation will meet next week. There is also an interesting development in the Northern Dimension partnership on transport and logistics, with a new push in the railway cooperation in the North – especially Norway and Finland. The Norwegian delegation noted that the tragic events in Norway 22 July have influenced the political discussion to a large extent. The Norwegian delegation to the Arctic parliamentary cooperation visited Murmansk and Kirkenes in late August to learn about the people to people cooperation in the North and business cooperation between Norway and Russia. A new agreement between Russia and Norway will make it possible for the ones living within 30 kilometers from the border to cross the border without visa. The agreement is expected to enter into force in the beginning of 2012. The agreement on the delimitation between Russia and Norway has created new oil and gas activities in the Barents Sea. Finally within a few weeks the Norwegian government is expected to present a new policy paper on Norwegian Arctic policy.
13. NEXT MEETING OF SCPAR The next meeting of SCPAR will be in Sweden 13-15 February 2011. (sic)
14. ANY OTHER BUSINESS There was no other business.
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