Meeting with Governor of the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Area Dmitry Artyukhov

At the beginning of the meeting, Dmitry Artyukhov responded to the President's enquiry regarding the state of the permafrost. The Governor reported that while the issue is not so acute as to become a major focus, it must nonetheless be taken seriously and requires ongoing attention and scientific monitoring.

Regarding the region's socioeconomic performance, the Governor noted that Yamal plays a special role in the Arctic zone. Thanks to its key economic sector - the oil and gas industry - the region accounts for more than half of every major macroeconomic indicator there, which is precisely why it has achieved such strong results in its social policies.

One of the district's proudest achievements, according to the Governor, is that it ranked third in the country for its birth rate last year. He attributed this to the foundation built over decades and the stability and predictability provided by key local businesses. Families are growing, with one in four now having many children. This high birth rate is, in turn, driving increased efforts to expand and improve social infrastructure. As a result, new kindergartens and sports facilities are being built, and schools are either being constructed or undergoing major renovations.

The region offers a range of programmes to support the birth rate. These include genetic testing for expectant mothers, which is accessible remotely - a critical feature given the region's vast geography. The significant distances mean that a hospital is not always within reach; in some cases, an ambulance or a special helicopter must be dispatched. The President noted that infant mortality in the region has decreased by over 80 percent, a positive outcome which Dmitry Artyukhov emphasised is the result of complex and highly targeted work.

The Governor also highlighted the region's leading performance in the country in combating poverty and unemployment, as well as its long-held leading position in average wages.

Addressing Vladimir Putin's comment on the need to pay special attention to drinking water quality - a recognised issue in the region - the Governor explained that this primarily affects dozens of small villages. The situation in large cities, by contrast, has largely been resolved. Special programmes are in place, and modular, state-of-the-art water treatment facilities are being constructed, which are expected to resolve the problem in the coming years.

Dmitry Artyukhov also reported that the region's Indigenous North communities are growing. He contrasted this with trends in North America and other parts of the global Arctic, where small Indigenous peoples often face disappearance or cultural erosion. In this particular Arctic region, however, the Indigenous population is growing despite vigorous industrial development, and the number of families engaged in traditional forms of livelihood is also increasing. This reflects a simultaneous process of growth and cultural preservation of the Indigenous peoples of the North.

The discussion also addressed aviation development. The Governor reported that 37 interregional flights are maintained, emphasising that the North has always been developed through the collective effort of the entire country. Given that many residents have roots in various parts of the country, and relatives often live in different cities, accessible transportation is crucial. To that end, a project to develop the airport in the regional capital is underway, with the new terminal planned to open in 2028.

Finally, Dmitry Artyukhov noted that this year marks the 50^th anniversary of Novy Urengoy, the region's gas capital. The city has been extensively transformed, with numerous new facilities built with the help of local companies, including Gazprom. These include production-related infrastructure as well as facilities for professional education. Veterans of the Urengoy gas field development, who returned for the anniversary after many years, admitted they barely recognised the city due to the scale of its renovation.