Top officials of the Russian Arctic: «Association "Arctic Municipalities" defends the interests of the population»

Association “Arctic municipalities”

Today the most important direction of the state policy of the Russian Federation is the socio--‐economic development of the Arctic zone. On the 20th of February 2013 Russian President Vladimir Putin approved the development strategy of the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation and the national security for the period up to 20202. Federal and regional authorities' activities are now demonstrating the union of government, business and science for the future of Russia and the preservation and strengthening of its position in the Arctic. In October 2014 Arkhangelsk hosted a forum “For the glory of the Navy and of the Homeland”, where the governor Igor Orlov told about the Arkhangelsk Regional Government's initiative — the establishment of the Interregional Association of urban districts and municipal areas of the Russian Arctic [1]. This initiative was supported by the Security Council of the Russian Federation. Establishment of the

Association would promote the united efforts of local government and contribute to the cooperation between municipalities aimed discuss the issues of sustainable socio--‐economic development of the Arctic territories.

The establishment of the Association “Arctic Municipalities” was adressed to the Council of Deputies of Severodvinsk. Thus, the municipality "Severodvinsk" was among the founders of the new association. The 25th of December 2014 was a historic day: Arkhangelsk signed a memorandum on Association. In addition, the agreement was signed by the Mayor of Severodvinsk, the Head of the Zapolyarnyi district of the Nenets Autonomous District Alexei Mikheyev and the Head of the Primorsky district of the Arkhangelsk Region Valentine Rudkin.

The aims of the Association are defined in its Charter:

• 1)    to promote the development of the local self--‐governance in the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation;

• 2)    to develop of the inter--‐municipal and inter--‐regional cooperation in economic, scientific, technical and cultural spheres; experience exchange and strengthening of good--‐neighborly relations;

• 3)    coordination of interaction between municipalities and federal and regional authorities, international organizations, public authorities and local authorities of other countries on issues affecting the living conditions of the population and socio--‐economic development of the Arctic zone; proposals to improve the legislation;

• 4)    coordination of joined efforts of the municipalities, included into the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation, aimed at the implementation of the state programs and development strategies in the Arctic.

To achieve its goals the Association is planning to perform the following:

• a)    to interact with the state authorities of the Russian Federation, municipalities, legal bodies and individuals;

• b)    to promote the idea of local self--‐government;

• c)    to participate in the development and review of the federal, regional and municipal regulations, affecting the interests of the municipalities that are part of the Arctic Zone;

• d)    to communicate with non--‐profit organizations (associations) of the Russian Federation, regions of the Russian Federation and development international contacts and communications;

  e)

  
  

to be an active assistant for state authorities and local self--‐government proving the with proposals on coordination of their activities in solving common problems;

f) to provide local governments with the methodological and legal assistance.

In March 2015 Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev signed the Regulation “On the State Commission on the Development of the Arctic”3, approved its composition and the Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin was appointed its Chairman4. The State Commission on Arctic is now responsible for coordination of activities of the federal and regional authorities involved in the development of the Arctic. Decisions of the State Commission will be mandatory for all agencies and to implement them may be issued decrees, orders and other acts of the President and t e Government of t e Russian Federation.

The Association of the Arctic Municipalities could become an integral part and one of the main objectives of functioning of the federal Arctic Commission on integration and cooperation between 4 territories of the Russian Federation (Murmansk region, Nenets, Yamal--‐Nenets and Chukotka Autonomous Districts) and 16 municipalities of the Russian Arctic according to the Presidential Decree, 2 May 2014 № 296. The outcomes of the Association's activities, we hope, will be used by the State Commission on the Development of the Arctic, chaired by D.O. Rogozin, who has once visited our town, and is aware of its achievements and problems. The Association is planning to participate in Russian governmental programs and international projects (investment, tourism development, etc.).

Our Association takes into account the experience of the Board of the White Sea, functioned in 1997--‐2002, consisted of 4 territories of the Russian Federation, heads of municipalities on the coast of the White Sea from the Republic of Karelia, Arkhangelsk Region, Murmansk Region and Nenets Autonomous District [2]. We are also aware of the need for close cooperation with the Arctic and Far North City Alliance established in 1992 (President — Shpektor I.L.). The Alliance consists of 52 cities and regions of the Far North and equivalent areas. Russian Arctic is part of the Far North, it is fully included in the structure of the Alliance, and so, its composition is more representative than Association “Arctic municipalities”.

URL: (Accessed: 16.04.2015).

Social project experience in Severodvinsk

Microfinance Fund.

Severodvinsk (Emblem from year 1967) can share a positive experience of social projects, which could be useful and interesting for other Arctic municipalities. Our city is successfully implementing modernization of the town according to the investment plan, approved by the Government of the Russian Federation. One of its major projects has already been completed — the reconstruction of the Arkhangelsk highway. Severodvinsk got a new modern highway with four line traffic. As part of the Plan the representatives of small and medium--‐sized businesses are able to get loans through the

Historical note. The town grew from a small settlement called Sudostroy founded in 1938. In 1938--‐1957 the town was known as Molotovsk. In accordance with the presidential decree “On the land territory of the Russian Arctic”, May 2, 2014 №296 Severodvinsk is part of the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation. The territory Severodvinsk municipality includes the nearby settlements and constitutes 119,349 ha. The area of the town is 12,051 ha. Geographic coordinates: 64°34'N, 39°49'W. The amount of residents was 189.7 thousand people in January 2013. Among them: 188.5 thousand people live in urban areas; 1,2 thousand people — country side residents. By the 1^st of January 2014 the total number of population decreased to 188,420 people, including urban population — 187,284 people and rural population — 1,136 people.

The annual average number of labor force in Severodvinsk is 120.1 thousand people. 93 thousand people (49% of the population) are employed in Severodvinsk. The majority of the employed population is concentrated in large organizations and medium--‐ sized business companies. The main industries are: shipbuilding and repair, electric power, building materials, food industry and etc. The complex of the major enterprises consists of: JSC “PO” Sevmash”, JSC “CA” Zvezdochka”, JSC “SPA” Arktika”, which employ 37 thousand people or 40% of the economically active population5. The economy of the town is represented by the largest and unique shipbuilding complex of the country where Russian Navy ships are constructed and repaired.

Picture 2. 600 years of the Nikolo--‐Korelsky monastery in Severodvinsk URL:

Severodvinsk Major Biography note : Mikhail Arkadevich Gmyrin was born on the 1^st of March 1959 in the Oma village of the Nenets Autonomous district of the Arkhangelsk Region. He has degrees in Law and Techniques — graduated from the Leningrad Institute of the water transport, Modern Institute of Humanities (Moscow), Pomor State University (Arkhangelsk). M. Gmyrin was elected to the Arkhangelsk Regional Assembly 3 times, since 2004 he has been working for its Committee on Military Industry and Conversion policy. On the 1^st of March 2009 he was elected as a Major of Severodvinsk by the majority — 64.01%; and on the 8^th of September 2013 M. Gmyrin was reelected by 64.59% of votes.

The program of resettlement from old houses implemented in co--‐financing from the state “Assistance Fund of reforming the housing and communal services” helped us to built two houses in 2014 (total area — 3,3 thousand m2). This enabled 62 Severodvinsk families to celebrate the housewarming. In 2014 we got six new multi--‐storey buildings. The total area of housing is about 18 thousand m2. Improvement of the living conditions of citizens is one of the major challenges all municipalities are currently facing. Severodvinsk has some more urgent problems: the construction of a new road bridge over Nikolskoye estuary and the reconstruction of Yagrinskoe highway.

The town is also involved in the municipal program “Social support of the population” which allows to adjust the shortcomings of state and regional programs in the field of health and social protection. Additional funds are allocated from the local budget for expensive operations and the purchase of medicines, the provision of targeted financial assistance to single, low--‐income and disabled people. Particular attention is paid to veterans: the program “Social Taxi” and special funds aimed to help them to repair apartments. The total amount of the “social support” for 2015 is about 103 million rubles.

Another social project have been being implemented in Severodvinsk since 2009 — “School Meals”. 90% of school students are provided with meals at schools. As a result, doctors admitted the reduction of gastro--‐intestinal tract diseases among pupils and students.

Healthy life is impossible without exercise. Participation of Severodvinsk in the federal and provincial program allowed us to open a new fitness center on Yagri in 2014. Funds for the construction documents were allocated by JSC “CA” Zvezdochka”. It also helped us to start the construction of the first indoor skating rink in Severodvinsk. It is expected to be completed in 2015. Also we have plans to repair another sports and recreation complex — “Planet” and to purchase the sports equipment this year.

Joint efforts of the Arctic towns, members of the Association, will help to receive additional funding to solve socio--‐economic problems. After all, the main task of the new organization is to improve the quality of life of people in the Arctic zone. We have plans to participate in the International Tourism Forum in May 2015 held by Scientific and Intellectual Center of the NArFU named after M.V. Lomonosov. It is expected that the University will be one of the partners of the Association “Arctic municipalities”.

Interest to the new organization has been already shown by other areas of the Russian Arctic. Our door is open to all municipalities of the Arctic.