-    Depriving communities of traditional economic activities and economic development will lead to further degradation of settlements, and reinforce negative social impact on indigenous peoples in Russia, was the statement made by several of the panel participants.

Recently, indigenous peoples in Russia have experienced that changes in federal legislation regarding environmental management have led to deprivation of the rights and possibilities to implement traditional economic activities. Further, this leads to deprivation of the opportunity of economic development, upon which the indigenous communities depend.

Also, the participants pointed at the need for urgent government support to preserve and develop indigenous communities, first and foremost through preserving native habitats and providing access to traditional resources and fishing grounds.

Among the recommendations from the panel discussion were

·        For the Ministry of Regional Development to develop and adopt a federal strategic comprehensive program for socio-economic development of indigenous communities, involving representatives of the indigenous communities and their unions

·        For the Union of Indigenous Communities of the North, Siberia and the Far East to prepare and carry out practical activities, such as thematic panel discussions in the regions, aiming at informing indigenous peoples about existing measures of support

The meeting was organized by the Union of Indigenous Communities of the North, Siberia and Far East, assisted by RAIPON and the Russian Ministry of Regional Development. In addition to indigenous representatives, representatives from federal executive and legislative authorities, NGOs and industrial companies took part.