Yamal’s most important priority is a national policy
That is why Yamal’s top priority is to develop a coherent approach and positions of the parties, involved in the development of the region to articulate the relationship between authorities, indigenous communities and businesses.
Today Yamal, the North and the Arctic are not only just resources, they make a territory, characterized by severe natural biological conditions, as well as an easily vulnerable and fragile ecosystem. The natural environment, in which indigenous ethnic groups have lived in harmony with the surrounding world for millennia, ensures the existence of their ancient civilization.
Given extreme vulnerability of the environment and interests of the indigenous population, living here in the North, we need to provide conflict-free coexistence of seemingly incompatible entities - the industry and the resident population.
Over the years, a wealth of experience of cooperation between public authorities, local governments and the fuel and energy complex has been accumulated in the region. Nevertheless, we have reviewed the experience of foreign colleagues, their practical work with a particular interest. And we try to adopt all good things under our conditions.
Most oil and gas companies, operating in the territory of the autonomous region, conclude annual or long-term contracts with local authorities, communities, indigenous peoples of the North, in the lands where they do their production and economic activities. At the expense of these companies, compensation and environmental activities are carried out, aimed at preserving the ecology of Yamal, housing construction, active socio-economic development of territories of the indigenous minorities of the North, resolving other pressing problems.
A huge work has been done on Yamal in the legislative sphere to protect the interests of the indigenous minorities. A positive experience of creating conditions for their social and economic sustainable development has been accumulated. Today, the indigenous minorities have their own concept of development, experience of dealing with government agencies, the desire for self-assertion, original traditional nature use, independent social and cultural development.
Unfortunately, the modern system of this legal space still cannot be called perfect. However, thanks to our common work and efforts, we have eliminated gaps in the legislation, there are ways to solve existing problems.
The issues that define the life of indigenous peoples of the North are linked by a thin thread of environmental, social, economic and cultural relations. Only together, we will be able to give a new quality to the national policy in the world, save the priceless natural and cultural heritage for future generations.
The material was prepared, based on a speech by Sergey Kharyuchi at a meeting of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.