ORGANIZER

Interregional Public Organization
“Association of Polar Explorers”

The Interregional Public Organization “Association of Polar Explorers” (ASPOL) was established at the All-Union Congress of Polar Explorers in 1990 to protect the interests of polar explorers, residents, and indigenous peoples of the Far North.

ASPOL’s main objectives:

Participates in the development and implementation of legislative initiatives aimed at supporting and developing polar territories

Facilitates the implementation of Russian state policy in the Arctic and Antarctic

Supports the involvement of young people and skilled professionals in the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation (AZRF)

Conducts research in the Arctic and Antarctic, including through the organization of drifting ice stations

Protects the interests of polar explorers and indigenous peoples of the Far North

Today, the Association includes 26 regional branches.

To strengthen and coordinate civic engagement, ASPOL has established public commissions focused on key areas of socio-economic development in the Russian Arctic Zone.

As part of interagency cooperation, ASPOL serves as a link between society and the state. It brings together initiatives from regional authorities, the business and expert communities, and citizens, turning them into resolutions and advocating for their inclusion in government strategies and decisions. In this way, ASPOL helps turn public opinion into tangible government support measures.

ASPOL participates in the work of three government commissions:

• State Commission for Arctic Development
• Russian State Council Commission on the Northern Sea Route and the Arctic
• Commission on Russian Presence in the Spitsbergen Archipelago

Public councils foster effective dialogue between the state and society, ensure transparent decision-making processes, and improve law enforcement quality. One of the key responsibilities of ASPOL representatives is to communicate the views, initiatives, and concerns of residents of Arctic regions to ministries and government agencies. This ensures that the needs of local communities are considered when government programs and regulations are developed.

ASPOL participates in the work of eight Public Councils under federal executive authorities:

Additionally, at ASPOL's initiative, four Polar Commissions were created under the governments of constituent entities of the Russian Federation to promote Arctic territorial development and interregional cooperation.

These commissions have been launched in Saint Petersburg, Arkhangelsk Region, Murmansk and Krasnoyarsk regions.