I. General Provisions

1. These Foundations consist of the main objectives, basic problems, strategic priorities, and mechanisms for the realization of the Russian Federation’s state policy in the Arctic, as well as the system of measures for the strategic planning of the socio-economic development of the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation and the provision of Russia’s national security.

2. In these Foundations, the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation is understood to be that section of the Arctic* which in whole or in part includes the territories of the Sakha Republic (Yakutia); Murmansk and Arkhangelsk oblast; Krasnoyarsk Kray; the Nenets, Yamalo-Nenets and Chukotka Autonomous Okrugs, as defined by the USSR Council of Ministers State Commission on the Arctic dated April 22nd, 1989; as well as the lands and islands, mentioned in the Decree of the Presidium of the Central Executive Committee dated April 15th, 1926, “On the Declaration of Soviet land and island territories located in the Arctic Ocean”, and adjacent to the aforementioned, internal waterways, territorial waters, exclusive economic zone and the Russian Federation’s continental shelf, within which Russia possesses sovereign rights and jurisdictions in accordance with international law.

The boundaries of the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation may be specified in accordance with the Normative Legal Acts of the Russian Federation, as well as the norms of international treaties and agreements to which the Russian Federation is a party.

3. The special features of the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation that influence the formation of state Arctic policy include:

(a) Extreme natural and climatic conditions, including the permanent ice cover or drifting ice in the Arctic seas;

(b) Circumscribed character of industrial-commercial territorial development and the low population density;

(c) Remoteness from major industrial centers, high resource intensity, and the dependence of economic activity and the population’s welfare on fuel, consumer goods, and essential commodities supplies from Russia’s other regions;

(d) Low stability of ecosystems guaranteeing biological and climate equilibrium, and their vulnerability to even minor anthropogenic interferences.

II. National Interests Of The Russian Federation In The Arctic

4. The major national interests of the Russian Federation in the Arctic are:

(a) Usage of the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation as a strategic resource base, allowing for the solution of problems of socio-economic development;

(b) Safeguarding the Arctic as a zone of peace and cooperation;

(c) Conservation of the Arctic’s unique ecosystems;

(d) Usage of the Northern Sea Route as a national integrated transport-communication system of the Russian Federation in the Arctic;

5. National interests determine the main goals, basic problems and strategic priorities of the Russian Federation’s state policy in the Arctic.

The realization of the Russian Federation’s national interests in the Arctic is implemented by state institutes together with civil society, in strict accordance with Russian legislation and its international treaties.

III. Main Objectives And Strategic Priorities Of The Russian Federation’s State Policy In The Arctic

6. The main objectives of the Russian Federation’s state policy in the Arctic are:

(a) In the sphere of socio-economic development – the expansion of the resource base of the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation, in order to substantially satisfy Russia’s needs in hydrocarbon resources, hydro-biological resources, and other types of strategic raw materials;

(b) In the sphere of military security, defense, and safekeeping of the state borders of the Russian Federation located in the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation – the upkeep of a favorable operational regime in the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation, including the maintenance of the required combat potential of military groupings under the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, other troops, military formations and agencies in this region;

(c) In the sphere of environmental security – the safeguarding of the Arctic environment, liquidation of the environmental consequences of economic activities under conditions of increasing economic activity and global climate change;

(d) In the sphere of information technologies and communications – the formation of a unified information space of the Russian Federation in its Arctic Zone, with consideration for its natural characteristics;

(e) In the sphere of science and technology – the provision of a sufficient level of fundamental and applied scientific research involving the accumulation of knowledge and the creation of modern scientific and geoinformational fundamentals for the administration of Arctic territories, including the development of means for the solution of defense and security problems, in addition to well-functioning systems of life support and industrial activity under the Arctic’s environmental and climatic conditions.

(f) In the sphere of international cooperation – the provision of a mutually beneficial regime of bilateral and multilateral cooperation between the Russian Federation and Arctic states on the basis of international treaties and agreements to which the Russian Federation is party.

7. The strategic priorities of the Russian Federation’s state policy in the Arctic are:

(a) Implementation of active cooperation between the Russian Federation and Arctic states for the purposes of delimitation of maritime borders on the basis of international law and mutual agreements with consideration for the Russian Federation’s national interests, as well as addressing the issues relating to the international legal basis for the outer borders of the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation;

(b) Intensifying efforts among Arctic states towards the creation of a unified regional system of search and rescue, as well as the preemption of technogenic catastrophes and the elimination of their consequences, including the coordination of rescue services;

(c) Strengthening, on a bilateral basis and through regional organizations – including the Arctic Council and the Barents Euro-Arctic Council – good relations between Russia and Arctic states, the implementation of joint economic, scientific-technical and cultural programs, as well as cross-border cooperation, including in the sphere of effective management of natural resources and environmental protection in the Arctic;

(d) Cooperation in the organization and effective use of transit and cross-polar air routes in the Arctic, as well as the use of the Northern Sea Route by international shipping under the jurisdiction of the Russian Federation and in accordance with the international treaties of the Russian Federation;

(e) Implementation of the participation of Russian state institutions and civil society organizations in the work of international forums related to Arctic issues, including inter-parliamentary cooperation within the framework of the Russia – European Union Partnership;

(f) Maritime delimitation in the Arctic Ocean and ensuring the mutually beneficial presence of Russia on the Spitsbergen archipelago;

(g) Amelioration of the system of public administration of the socio-economic development of the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation, including through expanding fundamental and applied scientific research in the Arctic;

(h) Improvement of the living standards of the indigenous population and the social conditions of economic activity in the Arctic;

(i) Development of the resource base of the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation through the implementation of advanced technologies;

(j) Modernization and development of the transport infrastructure and fishing industry in the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation.

IV. Basic Problems And Means For the Realization Of The Russian Federation’s State Policy In The Arctic

8. The main objectives of the Russian Federation’s state policy in the Arctic are to be achieved through solving the following basic problems:

(a) In the sphere of socio-economic development it is necessary to…

… implement geological/geophysical, hydrographic, and cartographic projects in order to prepare supporting materials on the outer borders of the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation;

… ensure a significance increase in the confirmed mineral reserves contained in Arctic offshore fields, including by means of realizing the state program for the study and development of the Russian Federation’s continental shelf, as well as starting work on the development of oil and gas fields in the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation;

… actualize the development and implementation of new types of techniques and technologies for the exploitation of marine mineral deposits and hydro-biological resources in Arctic conditions, including in areas covered by ice, and to create an inventory of aircraft spares and equipment and fishing vessels, as well as the necessary infrastructure for working under Arctic conditions;

… optimize the economic mechanisms of “northern delivery” through the use of renewables and alternatives, including local sources of energy, reconstruction and modernization of power plants approaching their end-of-use deadlines, introduction of energy-saving materials and technologies;

… ensure the restructuring of freight traffic on the Northern Sea Route, including through state support for ice-breaker construction, rescue and support fleets, as well as coastal infrastructure;

… establish a control system for the provision of secure navigation, traffic management in areas of intense shipping flows, including through the realization of hydro-meteorological and navigational provision projects in the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation;

… create an integrated security system for the defense of territories, population and objects of critical importance for national security in the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation from threats of a natural and technogenic character.

The main measures for the realization of state policy in the sphere of the socio-economic development of the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation are:

… state support for businesses operating in the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation – above all those involved in the development of hydrocarbon resources, other useful mineral resources and hydro-biological resources – through the implementation of innovative technologies, the development of the transport and energy infrastructure and the amelioration of the customs-tariff and tax regulations;

… the encouragement of new economic development projects in the Arctic territories by co-financing them through the budgets of various levels of the fiscal system of the Russian Federation and extra-budgetary funds, ensuring state guarantees for labor compensation, including for workers doing jobs of the duty tour method;

… the modernization of social infrastructure, including institutes of education and healthcare, as well as the development of housing, in part within the framework of the realization of the National Priority Projects;

… the provision of specialist training and retraining in the system of higher and secondary education for work under Arctic conditions, clarification of state social guarantees and compensations for persons working and living in the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation;

… the provision of accessible and high-quality medical services for all populations groups living and working in the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation, including through the expansion of the Feldsher and first aid systems;

… the improvement of education programs for the indigenous population of the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation, especially those related to preparing children for life in a modern society with full development of life skills under extreme natural conditions, including provisioning educational institutes and remote settlements with the means for distance learning;

… ensuring environmental sustainability and the development of environmentally friendly tourism in areas of dense populations and areas inhabited by indigenous peoples following traditional livelihoods, the preservation of cultural heritage and language and folk arts and crafts;

(b) In the sphere of military security, defense, and protection of the state borders of the Russian Federation located in the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation, it is necessary to:

… create military groupings under the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, other troops, military formations and agencies (first of all border patrol agencies) in the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation, capable of ensuring military security under various military-political scenarios;

… optimize the integrated control system over the Arctic, including border control at checkpoints on the state border of the Russian Federation, introduction of a regime of border zones in the administrative-territorial entities of the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation and the organization of instrumental and technical controls over strait zones, river estuaries, the firths of the Northern Sea Route;

… align the capabilities of the border agencies with the character of the threats and challenges facing the Russian Federation in the Arctic;

The main measures for the realization of state policy in the sphere of military security, defense, and protection of the state borders of the Russian Federation, are:

… the creation of an actively functioning coast guard system under the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation in the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation and raising the effectiveness of cooperation with the border agencies (coast guards) of neighboring states on terrorism on the high seas, the prevention of smuggling and illegal migration, the protection of hydro-biological resources;

… the development of the border infrastructure of the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation and technical refurbishing of the border agencies;

… the creation of an integrated control system for marine surface surveillance, the strengthening of state control over fishing activity in the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation;

(c) In the sphere of environmental protection it is necessary to:

… ensure the preservation of the biological diversity of the Arctic flora and fauna, including through the expansion of the network of protected natural and aquatic environments, in accordance with the Russian Federation’s national interests, it is necessary to preserve the environment under conditions of economic expansion and global climate change;

… implement the planned disposal of nuclear-powered vessels that have approached their end-of-use deadlines.

The main measures for the realization of state policy in the sphere of environmental protection in the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation are:

… the establishment of special regimes of environmental management and environmental protection in the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation, including pollution monitoring;

… the restoration of natural landscapes, disposal of industrial toxic waste, the provision of chemical security, above all in high population density areas;

(d) In the sphere of information technologies and communications it is necessary to:

… implement modern information-communication technologies and means of communication (including mobile), broadcasting, air and marine traffic control systems, remote sensing, aerial surveys of the ice cover, as well as hydro-meteorological and hydrographic systems support and maintenance of scientific field research;

… create a reliable system for providing navigational, hydro-meteorological and information services, ensuring effective control over economic, military, environmental activities in the Arctic, as well as emergency prediction and warning systems, including through the use of the GLONASS global satellite navigation system and multi-purpose space systems.

The main measures for the realization of state policy in the sphere of information technologies and communications in the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation should be directed towards the development and widespread usage of advanced technologies, including various space assets and multi-purpose geographically distributed networks.

(e) In the sphere of science and technology it is necessary to:

… introduce new technologies, including for the decontamination of islands, coastal zones and aquatic environments affected by anthropogenic pollution, as well as to develop materials well-suited for the climatic conditions of the Arctic.

… ensure the realization of the state program for the development of the scientific research fleet of the Russian Federation – also covering deep-sea research and oceanography – including the introduction of techniques and the equipment base for conducting scientific polar research.

The main measures for the realization of state policy in the sphere of scientific research and scientific provision in the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation are:

… the foundation of long-term perspectives and main directions for the future development of various forms of scientific activity in the Arctic;

… the study of hazardous and catastrophic natural phenomena, the development and implementation of advanced prediction technologies and methods under conditions of a changing climate;

… prediction and evaluation of the effects of global climate change, occurring in the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation under the influence of natural and anthropogenic factors, in the medium-term and long-term, including increasing the sustainability of infrastructure objects;

… research on the history, culture and economy of the region, as well as the legal and regulatory framework in the Arctic;

… research on the influence of environmental hazards on public health, the development of health protection standards for the population and polar explorers, the foundation of a set of measures directed at improving the environment around human habitats and disease prevention.

9. Solutions to the main problems of the Russian Federation’s state policy in the Arctic are implemented under the framework of strategic planning of the socio-economic development of the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation and the provision of Russia’s national security by way of:

(a) Development and realization of the development strategy of the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation, with consideration to the task of ensuring national security;

(b) Creation of an integrated monitoring system, including improved systems of information-statistical observation on national security indicators in the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation;

(c) Preparation of normative legal acts of the Russian Federation related to the clarification of the geographical borders of the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation, including its southern borders, with the enumeration and status of municipal entities delineated within the specified zone;

(d) Increasing the administrative effectiveness of the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation.

V. Main Mechanisms For the Realization Of The Russian Federation’s State Policy In The Arctic

The Russian Federation’s state policy in the Arctic is conducted through the focused and coordinated activities of interested federal agencies of the executive power, state agencies of the subjects of the Russian Federation, local government agencies, commercial and non-profit organizations in accordance with their powers and spheres of activity on the principles of public-private partnerships, as well as under the framework of cooperation between the Russian Federation with foreign states and international organizations, including:

(a) Development, with consideration for Russia’s national interests and the specifics of the regional legislation of the Russian Federation, in the spheres of socio-economic development, environmental protection, military security, defense and protection of the state borders, implementation of scientific research and international cooperation in the Arctic on the basis of international law and international commitments of the Russian Federation;

(b) Development and realization of targeted programs, financed through the budgets of various levels of the fiscal system of the Russian Federation and extra-budgetary funds;

(c) Design and planning by subjects of the Russian Federation of socio-economic development strategies for subjects of the Russian Federation, territorial planning schemes and programs of socio-economic development;

(d) Mass media coverage of issues relating to Russia’s national interests in the Arctic, including the organization of exhibitions, conferences, “round tables” devoted to the history of Arctic exploration by Russian explorers, in order to form a positive image of Russia;

(e) Implementation of systematic monitoring and analysis of the realization of the Russian Federation’s state policy in the Arctic.

VI. The Realization Of The Russian Federation’s State Policy In The Arctic

11. These Foundations are to be realized in stages:

(a) In the first stage (2008-2010) there needs to have been:

… the implementation of geological/geophysical, hydrographic, cartographic and other projects in order to prepare supporting materials on the outer borders of the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation;

… an expansion of opportunities for international cooperation, including for the effective management of the natural resources of the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation;

… the realization of targeted programs, financed through the budgets of various levels of the fiscal system of the Russian Federation and extra-budgetary funds, including the formation of a state program for the development of the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation for the period until 2020, under a framework in which the creation of high-tech energy industry and fishing industry clusters, special economic zones, is established as foundational;

… the realization of prospective investment projects through public-private partnerships, relating to the strategic development of the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation;

(b) In the second stage (2010-2015) there needs to have been:

… the formalization of the outer borders of the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation under international law and the realization on this basis of Russia’s competitive advantages in the extraction and transport of energy resources;

… the structural reformation of the economy in the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation on the basis of development of the region’s mineral and raw materials base and hydro-biological resources;

… the creation and development of the infrastructure and communications management system of the Northern Sea Route to solve the problems of Eurasian transit;

… the completion of a unified information space for the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation.

(c) In the third stage (2016-2020) there needs to have been completed the transformation of the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation into the leading strategic resource base of the Russian Federation.

Overall, in the medium-term, the realization of the Russian Federation’s state policy in the Arctic will enable Russia to retain its role as the leading Arctic Power.

In the longer-term, it is necessary to implement the integrated development of the competitive advantages of the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation in order to strengthen Russia’s position in the Arctic, consolidate international security, and promote peace and stability in the Arctic region.

* The Arctic is the northern region of the Earth, containing the deep Arctic basin, the shallow littoral seas with islands and located adjacent to parts of the European, Asian and North American continental shelves. Within the Arctic’s boundaries there are five Arctic states – Russia, Canada, the United States, Norway and Denmark, which possess an exclusive economic zone and continental shelf in the Arctic Ocean.

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