OREANDA-NEWS. December 16, 2010. Sakhalin Energy, the Regional Council of Authorised Representatives of Indigenous Minorities of the North of Sakhalin and the Government of the Sakhalin region signed an agreement on the second Sakhalin Indigenous Minorities Development Plan (SIMDP 2) to be implemented in 2011-2015, reported the press-centre of Sakhalin Energy.

SIMDP 2 is a tripartite partnership of the Russian Government, business community members and indigenous people, unparalleled in the Russian Federation.

SIMDP 2 was developed with a “free prior and informed consent” (FPIC) of the indigenous people, as this principle was set forth in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (2007). What makes SIMPD 2 really unique is that for the first time ever an industrial company used the FPIC principle in its engagement with local community.

Another important thing about SIMPD 2 is that it will be managed by the representatives of indigenous people, but all three parties will have control over its implementation. In addition, international experts will exercise third-party monitoring.

This plan is a new game-changing phase in our engagement and interaction with the Sakhalin indigenous people, - said Andrei Galaev, Sakhalin Energy CEO. - I am convinced that the planned activities will contribute to the sustainable development of Sakhalin, its indigenous communities and the entire population of the island, the land that has become home to Sakhalin Energy.