This issue is filled with articles on the most pressing topics—above all, how to ensure the rapid development of the Arctic in today’s rather challenging conditions. Within the pages of this issue, you will find extensive materials on the organization of international cooperation in the current context. Environmental issues are, of course, not forgotten — as always, we publish several articles on the «green» agenda in the Arctic. Matters of science and technology are also addressed.
The Arctic occupies an important place in Russian foreign policy strategy. Moreover, based on strategic planning documents, the role of the Arctic in the system of Russia’s foreign policy priorities is increasing over time. In addition, the position of Russia in relation to the non-Arctic countries is being transformed from more wary to more supportive. The process of transformation of Russia’s policy in relation is explained by two factors: the policy of other Arctic countries aimed at isolating it within the framework of existing institutions of international cooperation in the region, as well as the larger strategy of «Turning Russian policy to the East».
The article defines the legal nature, structure and content of additional guarantees of the rights of indigenous minorities established by the constituent entities of the Russian Federation, using the example of the legislation of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia). The systemic nature of additional guarantees of the rights of autochthons in this Republic is proved, three subsystems of norms and institutions of public law forming relatively autonomous groups of additional guarantees are identified and described. The first group ensures the representation of indigenous small-numbered peoples in the system of public-power relations, their participation in the exercise of certain public-power powers, state protection of their rights; the second group contributes to the preservation and modernization of the traditional economic activities of these peoples; the third is aimed at preserving their distinctive culture. An assessment of the prospects of using the experience of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) to improve the legislation of the Russian Federation and the constituent entities of the Russian Federation is proposed.
Today, the Arctic is a region in which the political and economic interests of many developed and developing countries collide. One of the promising areas for studying the Arctic is the social and humanitarian aspect, since the social, legal and political prospects for the development of the Arctic require careful study, new scientific approaches and building an education system. That is why the theme of the period of the Russian Chairmanship of the Arctic Council (2021–2023) was “Responsible Governance for a Sustainable Arctic”. By the beginning of the Russian Chairmanship in the Arctic, an atmosphere of effective international interaction and close scientific collaboration was already taking shape. However, this period turned out to be the most difficult and unpredictable: the political crisis led to the boycott of joint projects by the countries of the Arctic Seven. For Russia, these challenges have become new opportunities — new vectors of cooperation have been identified, the efforts of representatives of the social and humanitarian sciences of the non-Arctic states have been consolidated. While maintaining its leadership in the Arctic, Russia should integrate international cooperation into its scientific agenda and, involving Asian and Latin American countries, jointly seek solutions to the social and humanitarian problems of the Arctic region.
The article presents an overview of the prospects for the development of international scientific cooperation in the Arctic. Representatives of the natural sciences predominate in international Arctic joint scientific projects, although there is a certain development in the social and humanitarian sphere. Therefore, from the point of view of staff replenishment, the qualitative composition of natural scientists is especially important. Negative manifestations in the development of technical sciences, with their obvious demand in the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation (energy, transport, etc.), require appropriate management decisions. The article presents an analysis of the most relevant measures in the context of the introduction of ever new foreign restrictions on Russia.
The article is aimed at analyzing the current state of the Arctic zone and determining the prospects for its further sustainable and integrated development. The first part of the work presents a general theoretical and legal background on the instrument of a special economic zone, as well as a critical review of the SEZ created in the Arctic. The second part will touch upon both the experience of European countries in interaction with the Arctic region, and China’s experience in organizing effective special economic zones. Based on this, conclusions are drawn to improve the model of the territorial development of the Arctic.
More than 10 % of waste from the Russian oil industry is buried in the Arctic. Traditional processing technologies in permafrost conditions are not effective because they cause environmental damage. Relevant technologies for processing waste from the oil industry from the standpoint of «green» chemistry in order to reduce the environmental risk to the environment of the Arctic. The article presents in detail the results of an experimental study of plasma processing of oil waste using the example of technological asphalt obtained during the process of solvent deasphalting and high-molecular fractions of asphaltenes isolated from heavy oils of two fields. The effect of the composition of the starting material on the resulting product is analyzed. During the plasma processing of asphalt and oil asphaltenes, a mixture of gases is released — CO, CO2, H2, CH4, SO, SO2, and a carbon material with a graphite-like structure is formed, which includes elements contained in the original samples: vanadium, nickel, iron, sulfur and others. Samples of technological asphalt, asphaltenes, and the carbon material obtained after their plasma processing were analyzed by X-ray diffraction, IR-Fourier spectroscopy, laser diffraction, thermogravimetry, and X-ray fluorescence analysis. As a result of the research, it was found that the composition and structure of the original oil feedstock affect the composition and structure of the products of their plasma processing. The paper shows the possibility of plasma processing of oil waste into useful carbon materials.
Efficient energy supply of industrial facilities in the Arctic and Siberia is actual. Hundreds of mining and gold mining enterprises in Siberia and the Far North operate in remote, hard-to-reach areas with decentralized energy supply, receiving electricity from diesel power plants (DES). The construction of small hydroelectric power plants can change the working and living conditions of these people, ensuring cheap electricity, the energy security of the regions and contributing to economic development and meeting the goals of sustainable development.
The article outlines the sequence of achieving the strategic goals outlined in the national projects, based on a platform approach, regulatory administrative and economic methods and tools in the form of public «green» procurement. In the opinion of the authors, such a scheme will solve the problems associated with environmental safety in the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation, as well as stimulate the development and implementation of environmental technologies at industrial enterprises in the northern regions.
Strategic Priorities and Conceptual Approaches to the Development of the Arctic Territories of the Russian Federation in the Light of the Ideology of Greening
The problems of the development of the Arctic territories of the Russian Federation in modern conditions are becoming increasingly important, due to the need to ensure national security. And these problems, to a large extent, must be addressed through effective public policy. The article discusses the main factors that determine the processes of modernization based on the greening of the Arctic economy, taking into account development trends and territorial features. The analysis of the state of the regions of the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation and the strategic trends in their development is carried out, taking into account environmental, social, economic, innovative, technological and geopolitical factors. This study argues for the need to apply the state policy of development and strengthening of the economic space using market institutions based on the cluster approach. The work substantiates the decisive role in the ecological, socio-economic development of the Arctic territory of the state, which is called upon to implement a coordinated policy based on the interconnection of all “sectoral” activities with territorial development.
Family Policy of the Russian Arctic in the Conditions of a Special Military Operation: How Military Families are Supported in the Arctic (On the Example of the Arkhangelsk Region)
The state is constantly ready to provide and provides support to families with children. This support is especially important in unstable and non-standard circumstances, for example, in the context of a special military operation (SMO). Support for the families of military personnel, those who were called up for service as part of partial mobilization, is carried out not only at the national level, but also at the municipal levels, since each subject of the Russian Federation ensures the safety and protection of its residents. In the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation, supporting families with children has always been the most important task of the authorities, and in the conditions of the SMO, support measures have been improved in accordance with new circumstances and the emergence of new categories of citizens in need of special support from the state.
