The expedition has been set-up as part of the state programme Environmental Protection, 2012−2020, with a view of enhancing the efficiency of Russian organisations operating on Spitsbergen (Svalbard) Archipelago and in the adjacent waters of the Arctic Ocean, as well as expanding international cooperation. The directive is consistent with the provisions of the Svalbard Treaty and other international treaties.
The directive was drafted by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.
The Strategy for Russia’s Presence on Spitsbergen (Svalbard) Archipelago until 2020 was approved by Government Directive. It mentions efforts to ensure that Russia has a presence on the Archipelago, controlled by the Kingdom of Norway, as one of the strategic priorities in terms of Russia’s Arctic policy.
Promoting fundamental and applied research on Spitsbergen (Svalbard) Archipelago and adjacent waters of the Arctic Ocean is viewed as one of the most efficient activities in this region.
The concept for the Russian Research Centre in Spitsbergen (Centre) was approved by Directive No. 1676-r of 2 September 2014. The Centre will operate as an academic consortium of research, educational and other interested entities from various agencies. It will be tasked with conducting comprehensive research on the environment of the Archipelago, the adjacent continental shelf and in the waters of the Arctic Ocean with a view of furthering Russia’s economic development and security, creating a single infrastructure for monitoring environmental processes and pollution in the region and the Arctic Ocean, coordinating research programmes by various agencies, facilitating international cooperation and strengthening Russia’s presence on the Archipelago. The Centre will be coordinated by the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute (the Institute), which is part of the Federal Service for Hydrometeorology and Environmental Monitoring.
The directive creates a permanent Russian Scientific Arctic Expedition (the expedition) on Spitsbergen (Svalbard) Archipelago.
The expedition will run the Centre’s activities, providing it with informational and methodological support. It will also be in charge of planning the Centre’s activities and developing research programmes of the Centre, as well as overseeing their implementation.
Russian organisations will be able to apply for research projects on Spitsbergen (Svalbard) Archipelago and in the adjacent waters of the Arctic Ocean. The expedition will be also in charge of coordinating and ensuring logistics support for such research.
The expedition will have a permanent staff of 25 Institute employees who will ensure the uninterrupted operation of its research infrastructure and the Barentsburg Zonal Hydrometeorological Observatory. Another 75 people will work there on a seasonal basis, including researchers from other entities within the Federal Service for Hydrometeorology and Environmental Monitoring, students and interns of specialised higher educational institutions.
The expedition will be funded using allocations for the state programme Environmental Protection, 2012−2020 (approved by Government resolution No. 326 of 15 April 2014).
The directive is consistent with the provisions of the Svalbard Treaty and other international treaties.
The expedition is expected to enhance the efficiency of Russian organisations working on the Spitsbergen (Svalbard) Archipelago and in the adjacent waters of the Arctic Ocean, as well as expand international cooperation.
