Today we learned the sad news: the first President of Sakha Republic (Yakutia)) Mikhail Efimovich Nikolaev passed away.

Although Yakutia joined the Northern Forum in 1993, Mikhail Efimovich is rightfully considered, along with the governor of Alaska Walter Hickel, one of the founders of the Northern Forum. He has invested a great deal to make the organization one of the most authoritative international organizations of the North and the Arctic.

Under his chairmanship in 1997-2001, the Northern Forum included the largest number of regions - 25 out of 11 countries. Mikhail Efimovich was respected by everyone, his word was always decisive.

We will be committed to his legacy and the Northern Forum will always be a key player in the international arena. We express our deepest respect and sincere condolences to the family and friends...