Indigenous peoples' representatives from Norway, the Russian Federation, Sweden and Finland meet in Kirkenes on February 4th 2010 to discuss the representation of indigenous peoples in the formal structure of the Barents Euro-Arctic Council. The latter years, the Head of the Working Group of Indigenous Peoples (WGIP) has been invited to speak at the BEAC Ministerial sessions.

Currently, indigenous peoples of the region are represented in the Working Group of Indigenous Peoples (WGIP), which has altogether six (6) member; one Saami member from each state, as well as one Nenets member and one Vepsian member. The WGIP appoints one (1) formal representative to the Barents Regional Council, and the secretaries of the WGIP meet in the Barents Regional Committee. The WGIP also appoints representatives to the remaining working groups of the Barents Euro-Arctic Council and the Barents Regional Council. The WGIP possesses consultative status to both the Barents Euro-Arctic Council and the Barents Regional Council, and is the only working group, within the structure, consisting of politicians.

More information about the formal Barents cooperation can be found at the International Barents Secretariat.

The following organisations/parliaments will send delegations to the congress:

RAIPON (Russian Association of Indigenous Peoples in the North, Siberia and Far East), Association of Kola Saami, OOSMO (Official Organisation of Saami in Murmansk Oblast), SUPS MO (Council of Authorized Representatives of Saami in Murmansk Oblast), The Saami Parliament of Norway, The Saami Parliament of Finland and the Saami Parliament of Sweden.

Further information on the congress can be found here.