ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT FORUM OF THE NORDIC REGIONS
IN OULU 12 –14 December, 1995

The First Energy and Environment Forum of the Nordic Regions was arranged in Oulu on 12th –14th December, 1995. Russia was represented by representatives from the Archangels and Murmansk Oblasts and from the Republics of Karelia and Komi. From Finland representatives of the provinces of Oulu, Northern Ostrobothnia and Northern Karelia as well as representatives from the University of Oulu and numerous Finnish companies participated.

The Forum focused on the need and possibilities for co-operation between Northern Finland and north-west Russia particularly in the field of eco-technology. Here the term eco-technology comprises the following: energy supply (particularly district heating), water supply and waste disposal service, environmental control as well as arctic construction aimed for living comfort and meeting the above mentioned demands whose aim is energy saving. 

Numerous brief reports within various fields were presented in relation to the Forum. Visits were provided to get acquainted with Finnish solutions in eco-technology and with other objects of mutual interest in cities, municipalities, companies and at various authorities of regional government.

The parties of the Forum came to the following conclusions and signed the following contracts of co-operation:

It was agreed upon that extending and intensifying of co-operation in the above mentioned fields of eco-technology is the benefit of all parties.

Challenges in the implementation and development of eco-technology in different regions and republics of north-west Russia are demanding, but on the other hand, Northern Finland and moreover Finland in whole, has modern knowledge and skills for extending co-operation in the fields of eco-technology. Co-operation will create the best premises for consistent operation as well as for the financing it requires.

It was decided that co-operation of the different parties has be developed in a long-term and organised fashion.

The aim of the co-operation is to promote investments for solutions which benefit eco-technology and to promote other development work in the region of north-west Russia as well as co-operation in the field in general between north-west Russia and Finland as well as between broader areas and their authorities, universities and companies.

For co-ordination of the co-operation it was decided to establish a management group representing different parties as follows:

• The Archangels Oblast, to be appointed later
• The Republic of Karelia, V. Dubov
• The Murmansk Oblast, E. Moiseev
• The Provincial Government of Oulu, Eino Siuruainen
• The Council of Kainuu, to be appointed later
• The-Council of Lapland, Esko Lotvonen
• The Council of North-Karelia, Tarja Gronberg
• The Council of Northern Ostrobothnia, Pentti Lampinen
• The University of Oulu, Esko Ehrola

In addition to the parties mentioned above, representatives of the Republic of Karelia, the Provincial Government of Lapland and the Chambers of Commerce will also be invited and asked to be appointed.

Eino Siuruainen, the Governor of Oulu, will officiate as chairman of the management group and the representative of the Provincial councils will officiate as vice-chairman.

A member of the consultative committee will function as chairman for the Russian party. The meeting will take place in the home region of the chosen representative.

For the preparation of the management group's work and for other on-going operation it was decided to establish a secretariat which comprises of:

• A representative of the Archangels Oblast, to be appointed later
• A representative of the Murmansk Oblast, J. Dunin
• A representative of the Republic of Karelia, to be appointed later
• A representative of the University of Oulu, A. Tuutti
• A representative of the Energy-50-Project, E. Teppo

Both the management group and the secretariat may be supplemented when desired.