Dmitry Artyukhov presented Yamal at the annual Arctic Circle Assembly

The governor of Yamal Dmitry Artyukhov participated in the discussion of sustainable development of the world Arctic and environmental protection in this special area. These two issues became key ones within the largest meeting of representatives of arctic states and regions taking place in Iceland under the chairmanship of the country.

Prime Minister of Iceland Katrin Jakobsdottir, Prime Minister of Finland Antti Rinne and Prime Minister of Greenland Kim Kielsen also presented their views on these issues during the plenary discussion.  

The head of Yamal briefly presented the plans of the region on development of productions connected with gas extraction on the territory — use of this type of fuel contributes to protection and preservation of the world ecology.

In his speech he paid special attention to ecological programs being implemented by Yamal, including restoration of aquatic biodiversity (construction and operation of the Sobsky whitefish breeding plant) and cleaning of northern islands — Beliy and Vilkitsky. Dmitry Artyukhov called on all the participants of the forum to join together for studying such a phenomenon as the change in the state of permafrost, in order to develop the joint strategy on conducting of economic activity in the Arctic in conditions of today’s climate change.

The governor also told about the main directions of work of the region on protection of interests of indigenous and small peoples of the North. In addition, Dmitry Artyukhov presented the application of Yamal to host the Arctic Winter Games in 2026 and invited the Icelandic side to participate in this event in the region.

“Sportspeople of Yamal have been participating in the games for 15 years, they brought home hundreds of medals. For many children it became the beginning of their professional sports career. Children are our future, and participation in such an event is the best way to establish ties between the Arctic territories”, the head of the region underlined.

60 states and more than two thousand delegates, including ones from arctic regions of Russia, are participating in the annual Arctic Circle Assembly. 180 different discussions are being conducted within the forum. Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Okrug has been participated in this event for the third time; in particular, in 2016 the governor of the region spoke on the report in Iceland.

According to the information given to the news agency “Sever-Press” in the press service of the governor of Yamal, during his working trip to Iceland Dmitry Artyukhov also participated in the meeting with the President of the country Gudni Johannesson.  

“In recent years Iceland has made a huge leap in social and economic development, what is worthy of the most careful study. Issues of combination of sustainable progress in the sphere of economy and social development, care for ecology and protection of interests of indigenous and small peoples are our key priorities today, and we are ready to exchange experience”, the head of the region underlined.

Dmitry Artyukhov told about the work that the region was doing to fulfill the instructions of the President of Russia to increase the cargo flow along the Northern Sea Route up to 80 million tonnes in 2024.

According to the President of Iceland, with great interest they are watching increase in the cargo traffic on the Northern Sea Route, it opens up new prospects for navigation, including in North America. Iceland is now also the chair of the Arctic Economic Council. The President offered to develop the general policy on organizing of safe ship traffic, regulating of possible crises within work being conducted by the international body.