The Arctic Council is an intergovernmental forum that facilitates cooperation between Arctic States, Indigenous Peoples and other residents of the Arctic on common Arctic issues.
Permanent Participants is the unique structure in the Arctic Council. These six Indigenous organizations have every right to consult on the Arctic Council’s negotiations and decisions and make a valuable contribution to its work in all areas. The Association of Indigenous Peoples of the North, Siberia and the Far East of Russia (RAIPON) as an authorized representative of Indigenous small-numbered peoples of Russia has a Permanent Participant status.
On 3 March 2022, seven of the eight Member States of the Arctic Council reported the suspension of their participation in this international framework.
On 8 June 2022, seven of the eight Member States of the Arctic Council announced the resumption of the Arctic Council project activities without participation of Russia.
The All-Russian public organization “The Association of Indigenous Peoples of the North, Siberia and the Far East of Russia” (RAIPON) committed to maintaining the Arctic as a zone of peace, stability and constructive cooperation;
committed to the need to develop cooperation in the Arctic to address common challenges across the region;
noting that all the projects of the Arctic Council affect Indigenous peoples in one way or another:
- Expresses the hope for a speedy return to full-fledged cooperation at the Arctic council in its entirety. For 26 years, the Arctic Council has played a big role in the development of the “High latitude” region and has proved its viability and resistance to geopolitical “turbulence”.
- Expresses its conviction that, in the spirit and traditions of the Arctic Council, decisions affecting Indigenous peoples should be taken taking into account the opinions of the Permanent Participants of the Arctic Council.
- Notes that decisions of seven of the eight Member States of the Arctic Council to suspend their participation and then partially resume the Arctic Council’ projects without Russia were not discussed with the Permanent Participants and were accepted without their input.
- Consider its inalienable right to continue the cooperation with the Arctic Indigenous Leaders.
- Supports the Government of the Russian Federation in continuing to implement the commitments made in the framework of the activities of the Arctic Council and the events planned for the Arctic Council Presidency, especially with regard to advancing the interests of Indigenous peoples of the region. And also emphasizes the Russian projects remain open to all Indigenous peoples of the Arctic.
- Remains committed to advancing the sustainable development of the Arctic, balanced in its environmental, social and economic dimensions, which is an important condition for improving the well-being of all inhabitants of the region, including Indigenous peoples, the quality and standard of life, as well as the sustainability of the Arctic settlements.
- Notes the importance of the International Decade of Indigenous Languages launched by the United Nations. In this regard, the cooperation of Indigenous peoples of the Arctic in the preservation and development of their native languages, culture, traditional knowledge and values is of particular importance.
The Coordinating Council of the Association of Indigenous Peoples of the North, Siberia and the Far East of Russian Federation (RAIPON)