Report

 

INTRODUCTION

Peter Goldring, M.P., led a Canadian delegation of two to the meeting of the Standing Committee of Parliamentarians of the Arctic Region (the Standing Committee) held in Syktyvkar, Russia, 28 and 29 September 2011. The other delegate was Mr. Dennis Bevington, M.P. Accompanying the delegation was Mr. Sebastian Spano from the Parliamentary Information and Research Service of the Library of Parliament as advisor to the delegation. Appended to this report are the draft minutes of the meeting of 28 September 2011 in Syktyvkar, Republic of Komi, Russia. These minutes were prepared by the secretary general of the Committee.

The Conference of Parliamentarians of the Arctic Region is a parliamentary body comprising delegations appointed by the national parliaments of the Arctic states (Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden, the United States of America and the European Parliament). The conference also includes Permanent Participants representing Indigenous peoples, as well as observers. The conference meets every two years. The Eighth Conference was held in Fairbanks, Alaska, U.S.A., 12-14 August 2008.

Between conferences, Arctic parliamentary cooperation is carried on by the Standing Committee, which started its activities in 1994. The Conference and Standing Committee take initiatives to further Arctic cooperation, and act, in particular, as a parliamentary forum for issues relevant to the work of the Arctic Council. The Standing Committee takes part in the work of the Council as an observer.

MEETING SUMMARY

A.   Presentations by Officials of the Komi Republic

The meeting was preceded by a series of presentations from officials from the Komi Republic on developments in the Komi Republic relating to economic development, governance, resources and the environment, support for indigenous cultures and peoples, and education.

 

1.    Intergovernmental and Interregional Cooperation in the Arctic Region – the Komi Experience

Senator Vladimir Torpolov, member of SCPAR, and former governor of Komi, gave an overview of the activities of the Republic of Komi in the areas of intergovernmental and interregional cooperation.  He noted that there are a number of bilateral and multilateral agreements between the Republic of Komi and other arctic regions. Perhaps the most important one is the Barents Euro-Arctic Cooperation agreement under which Komi is one of five regions in North-West Russia participating in regional cooperation activities. The Barents region is made up of 14 regions in northern Russia, Finland, Sweden and Norway.

A priority for the Komi Republic is the integration of the northern regions including through developing transportation links, promoting regional cultures, and economic development. A key investment project for Komi is the main railway line connecting countries and regions of the Barents region. A project to protect and preserve fragile northern species and natural habitat was launched in the Pechora delta in collaboration with the Global Environment Fund. A four million Euro fund has been established for this purpose.

The Republic of Komi has a strong connection with the Finnish people, being part of the same Finno-Ugric world. There are numerous areas of cooperation with Finland including cooperation on forestry, fisheries, reindeer herding, environmental protection and tourism, energy and medical care. A Finno-Ugric cultural centre and park recently open in the village of Yb.

 

2.    Advancement of Arctic Research and Science in the Republic of Komi

Mr. Askhab Askhabov, Chairman of the Presidium of the Komi Scientific Centre of the Russian Academy of Sciences, reviewed the history of and recent developments in scientific research in the Komi Republic. Scientific research has played an important role in the development of Komi’s various industries. The Komi Scientific Centre, part of the State University, has six key institutes or scientific schools including: biology, chemistry and geology. The university itself has its origins in the turn of the 20^th century. The Centre works with scientific centres from other Arctic region countries such as Norway, Finland and Canada. Much of the Centre`s work relates to the development of natural resources. The geology institute is currently mapping offshore oilfields, while the biology institute is undertaking studies of the ecosystems of the tundra, climate gasses and their relationship to the migration routes of northern reindeer. Together with a Norwegian scientific research centre, researchers from Komi are continuing a study of the effects of the oil and gas industry on the health of inhabitants of Komi.

Mr. Askhabov commented that while the Komi Republic has felt the effects of the economic recession in much of Europe, it has fared much better than other northern regions. Royalties from the sale of oil continue at a steady rate. The rate of unemployment is among the lowest in Russia, at 3-4%. While there has been a brain drain of young people moving from rural or remote regions to the cities, there continues to be sufficient interest among the young in pursuing sciences and in environmental awareness.

 

3.    Natural Resources Management and Environmental Protection – Regional Aspects

Mr. Sergei Geraimovich, Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection, Republic of Komi gave a presentation to the Committee on the management of Komi’s natural resources. Komi is one of the richest natural resource regions in Russia. There are large oil and gas and mineral reserves including 145 gas fields and six coal mines. Environmental protection efforts have been given high priority in Komi, particularly since a major oil spill in the 1990s. Mr. Geraimovich highlighted some of the notable efforts in this regard including: the setting aside of six million hectares of land as a protected area, representing approximately 14.5% of Komi’s total land area; the development of land use standards; a methane investigation project; and a project to improve and monitor drinking water quality. He noted that an inventory of protected areas – approximately 137 - is currently being developed to help preserve wildlife and natural environments.

 

4.    Indigenous Peoples Support in the Komi Republic

The presentation on support for indigenous people in the Komi Republic was given by Mr. Valery Markov, Senior Vice-Chairman of the State Council of the Republic of Komi. The Komi constitution establishes certain rights for indigenous peoples in Komi including language rights, economic rights and protections for Komi culture. The constitution grants Komi representatives rights of participation on the State Council of Komi, thus providing a role in the legislative process. As a result, there are statutes in place to protect indigenous languages (Komi is now taught as a second official language in the schools), to protect reindeer herding as a Komi economic and cultural activity and to support other traditional indigenous economic activities and businesses.

Approximately 60% of the population of the Republic of Komi is of Russian origin, while 25% is of Komi origin. The Komi population has dropped from about 50% in the mid-20^th century. This has been due largely to the influx of Russians who have come to pursue employment in the extraction industries.

In response to questions from the Committee, Mr. Markov indicated that gender equality and the participation of women in society, particularly in universities, is improving. The Republic of Komi uses its Arctic neighbours as role models to improve the educational and economic prospects for women.

 

5.    Participation of the Komi Republic Universities in International Exchange Programs

Mr. Georgy Korsunov, Rector Assistant, External Relations, Ukhta State Technical University gave the presentation on this agenda item.

There is a high degree of cooperation between Arctic region educational institutions and institutions from other countries. These have proved to be extremely important for the Komi Republic, enabling Komi students to benefit from courses offered elsewhere and enriching the educational programs in Komi. Mr. Korsunov reviewed the numerous cooperative arrangements including:

·A summer school for teachers through the University of Applied Sciences of Seinäjoki, Finland.

·A program for young professionals in forestry and international business in Russia and Finland.

·An English language distance “Bachelor of Northern (Circumpolar) Studies” program in collaboration with the University of Nordland in Norway.

·The “North2North” student exchange program with Norway which also offers scholarships.

·A joint Arctic regions studies program with the University of Versailles in France.

·Several working groups and research projects through the Barents University of the Arctic.

·Ukhta State Technical University programs including: collaboration with the University of the Arctic, the Fulbright Scholarship program, student exchanges with Kazakhstan, and English programs with the U.S. State Department.

 

6.    Climate Changes in the Quaternary Period in the European Part of North Russia

This agenda item was presented by Dr. Lyudmila Andreicheva, Department Head, Geology Institute of the Komi Scientific Centre of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Dr. Andreicheva reviewed the results of her research on the topic. Her overall conclusion is that temperatures are actually colder today than at the start of the quaternary period, the period marked by the development of homo sapiens. She noted that temperatures were about 1-2 degrees higher 300,000 years ago, and 2-4 degrees higher 180,000 years ago, than they are today. While overall temperature patterns show fluctuations, she noted the phenomenon of more recent high temperature periods being colder than previous high temperature periods by about one degree.

 

B.   The Meeting of the Standing Committee of Parliamentarians of the Arctic Region, 28 September 2011

The Agenda of the Standing Committee was modified somewhat from the original agenda circulated in advance of the meeting. The current agenda and minutes from the meeting held in Reykjavik, 9-10 June 2011 were approved.

 

1.    10^th Conference of Parliamentarians of the Arctic Region

The Committee agreed that the 10^th Conference of Parliamentarians from the Arctic Region shall be held on 5-7 September 2012 in Akureyi, Iceland.

Ms. Gretarsdottir, from the Icelandic delegation reported on the preparations for the Conference. Three broad themes are proposed for the Conference:

·Sustainable development

·Corporate social responsibility, particularly toward smaller communities

·Enhancing human development in the Arctic

These themes will need to be refined as planning progresses. A number of further issues to develop include: a closer study of the financing of business development in the north in light of the financial crisis, and turning policy recommendations arising from scientific studies into concrete action.

A recommendation was made by the Chair of the Committee that rapporteurs for each of the three themes should be appointed for the Conference. Canada, Finland and Sweden were proposed. Delegates from each of the country delegations indicated that they would need to report back to the Committee on whether it is feasible to act as rapporteur.

 

2.    Arctic Governance in an Evolving Arctic Region

A broad discussion took place in respect of the proposals contained in the revised draft paper entitled “Arctic Governance in an Evolving Arctic Region” dated August 9, 2011. Generally, the Committee members were supportive of the proposals in the paper. The Chair of the Committee reviewed the updated proposal based on discussions at the meeting of the Committee in Reykjavik in June 2011. He drew to the Committee`s attention the proposed Search and Rescue Agreement as a new development in the Arctic Council`s governance structure. He urged the Committee to consider how this new structure can be used by the Committee to influence the work of the Arctic Council. The Committee discussed the importance of increasing its involvement in the Arctic Council at the ministerial level so that parliamentarians can have more effective input in the Arctic Council.

It was noted that Arctic countries should consider more closely the effect of the opening up of new sea routes through the Arctic and consider developing a common Arctic shipping strategy.

In reviewing the paper a number of suggestions were made by members of the Committee:

·The sub-headings should be rearranged. It was suggested that the Permanent Secretariat of the Arctic Council should be listed first, followed by Budgets, Arctic Vision and the Arctic Council as an international organization.

·The paper should have new sections to address maritime pollution, maritime safety, natural resources and human well-being, and ecosystem management.

·More input from aboriginal/indigenous organizations is needed, although the Chair of the Committee noted that two aboriginal organizations participated in the development of the paper. Neither organization was from Canada.

The Committee took a decision to the effect that the updated paper reflected the discussions in Reykjavik.

 

3.    Proposal for a Rotating Chairmanship of SCPAR

The Icelandic delegation renewed its proposal for a rotating chairmanship of the Committee. The delegation proposed that “The Chair of the Committee shall rotate between the members, ideally every two years.” The proposal was approved by the Committee. It is unclear whether this decision will have any impact on the way the Chair of the Committee is selected. It is noteworthy that no order of rotation was agreed to. It was understood that it would not always be possible to have a Chair serve for two years, given the uncertainties of elections in member parliaments. The proposal was approved by the Committee.

 

4.    Status of the Work of SCPAR

Each delegation provided an overview of developments in their respective countries in relation to the Arctic. A detailed summary of these presentations is provided in the minutes of the meeting appended to this report.

 

5.     Next Meeting of SCPAR

The next meeting of the Committee shall be held in Sweden, 13-15 February 2012.

 

6.    Other Business

There was no other business.

 

C.   Tour of Cultural Sites of the Komi Republic

Understanding indigenous cultures and promoting and preserving these cultures is an important mandate of the SCPAR. In furtherance of this aspect of the work of SCPAR, several visits were arranged by the host country, Russia, to several sites of cultural significance in the Komi Republic. Delegates visited the Suomi-Ugrian Centre in the village of Yb. Delegates toured the village including a newly-constructed cultural-educational centre that will serve as a focal point for promoting the Suomi-Ugrian cultures. The Centre is equipped with conference and meeting rooms as well as an arts and crafts centre.

The delegates also visited the Zaran folk crafts centre in S. Vylgort and the Geology Institute Museum. The Canadian delegation took note of some comments made during the course of the tour of the Geological Museum concerning the development of the Russian oil sands. The delegates were shown geological samples and maps of the Russian oil sands. The samples and the maps suggested that Russia has considerable reserves of oil sands, perhaps comparable to Canada`s oil sands. Canadian delegates found this information to be highly illuminating as Russian oil sands development is a topic that seldom arises in discussions concerning fossil fuel development and climate change.

 

Respectfully submitted,