2 Dec 2022 11:30

Russia's Salekhard may host Arctic Council session in spring 2023 - Yamal-Nenets Autonomous District authorities

SALEKHARD. Dec 2 (Interfax) - There is a preliminary agreement to hold an Arctic Council session in Salekhard in spring 2023, head of the foreign relations department in the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous District's government Alexander Mazharov said.

"As you know, Russia is currently presiding in the Arctic Council. We have held a series of events in Salekhard, which are very interesting in our opinion, to combine the efforts of Arctic countries towards improving living standards. [...] Our work will continue next year. What is more, there is a preliminary agreement to hold the final session in the city of Salekhard in May of next year," Mazharov said at a press conference on Friday.

He added that the session might not be as broad as it was in 2006.

"Nevertheless, Russia's presidency in the Arctic Council ends in 2023, and we are hoping that the city of Salekhard will be the venue," Mazharov said.

The Arctic Council has declared the suspension of its activity over Russia's actions in Ukraine. The Russian Foreign Ministry said that Moscow would continue to implement the program of its presidency in the Arctic Council despite the decision made by Western countries.

Russia is presiding in the Arctic Council between May 2021 and May 2023. The other members of the Arctic Council are Denmark, Iceland, Canada, Norway, the United States, Finland and Sweden.

Established in 1996, the Arctic Council is a high-level intergovernmental forum aimed at developing international cooperation in high latitudes. The Arctic Council serves as a venue for interaction between governments of Arctic states, its permanent members from among indigenous peoples of the vast Arctic region, and a number of off-regional states and international organizations that have observer status.