May 15, local time, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin approved Russia’s vision and plans for activities during the period of its presidency of the Arctic Council from 2021 to 2023.
During its presidency of the Arctic Council, Russia is prepared to cooperate with the participants in the Intergovernmental Forum on four priority areas. The four areas are: Arctic population (including indigenous peoples in the North), protection of the Arctic environment (including climate change), socio-economic development of the Arctic region and strengthening the role of the Arctic Council as the main platform for multilateral cooperation at high latitudes.
Russia is committed to maintaining peace, stability and mutually beneficial cooperation in the Arctic region, the government’s press service said. Alexei Chekunkov, Russia’s Minister of Far East and Arctic Development, noted that any collaboration in the Arctic should be based on the strategic interests of all mankind and that an active agenda for cooperation, including global climate change, the use of renewable energy sources to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the development of the Northern Sea Route, should be discussed. In addition, the protection of the rights of the indigenous peoples of the North and the development of Arctic tourism are equally important.
In late May, Iceland will host a meeting of foreign ministers of Arctic Council countries. The meeting will announce Russia’s two-year succession as President of the Arctic Council.
Established in 1996, the Arctic Council is a high-level intergovernmental forum aimed at protecting the Arctic environment and promoting cooperation in the region. The Council is members of Russia, the United States, Denmark, Canada, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden.
