At the "Preserving Ethnicity: Interaction Between Indigenous Peoples and Business" session of the XIV International Forum "Arctic: Present and Future" named after A.N. Chilingarov, held in Moscow, participants discussed the importance of preserving the traditional way of life of Indigenous Peoples of the North (IPN) and the impact of business on their socio-cultural development.
Alexander Grachev, Vice President of Norilsk Nickel, spoke about the initial results of an ethnological expert assessment conducted in Russia. The study identified the primary needs of the IPN, which formed the basis of a support program with a budget of 2 billion rubles. "The program is nearing the end of its five-year cycle, but this does not mean the end of our interaction with indigenous peoples," Grachev noted.
Vladimir Semenov, Deputy Governor of the Krasnoyarsk Territory, expressed concern that many companies view their relationships with the IPN solely through the prism of commerce. He emphasized that interference in the traditional way of life of indigenous peoples and the damage caused to their culture and ecosystems require not only compensation but also responsibility from businesses. Semenov focused on the importance of government control in making decisions on issuing licenses for mineral extraction in areas of traditional residence of the IPN.
The session paid particular attention to the role of indigenous peoples in the Sustainable Development Agenda and in addressing environmental and climate challenges. Forum participants agreed that society should not only compensate for the damage but also actively involve the IPN in decision-making processes concerning their lands and traditional livelihoods.
Representatives of the National Network of the Global Compact were also present at the session, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive approach to the interaction of business, government, and indigenous peoples to ensure their sustainable development and preservation of ethnicity.
Blogs
