Arctic Council
Established by the Ottawa Declaration in 1996, the Arctic Council is the leading intergovernmental forum for addressing issues related to the Arctic Region. The members of the Arctic Council include the eight Arctic States ( Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, the russian Federation, and the United States ). The Arctic Council is not a treaty-based international constitution but rather an external forum that operates on the basis of consensus, echoing the passive and cooperative nature of the Arctic Region. The Council focuses its work on matters related to sustainable development, the environmental protection ; its mandate explicitly excludes military security. traditionally, the Council is chaired by the alien minister of the country holding the chairmanship. Its daily work is carried out by the eight Senior Arctic Officials ( SAO ) and six PP representatives, with input from working groups, technical groups, and job forces. To learn more about the Arctic Council, please visit their web site at : www.arctic-council.org .
The United States held the rotating chairmanship of the Arctic Council from 1998-2000 and 2015-2017. More information on the 2015-2017 U.S. Chairmanship and 10th ministerial meet can be found here.
Arctic Science Agreement (2017)
In May 2017, the eight Arctic States signed the Agreement on Enhancing International Arctic Scientific Cooperation during the tenth Arctic Council Ministerial in Fairbanks, Alaska. This is the third base legally binding agreement negotiated under the auspices of the Arctic Council. The agreement facilitates access by scientists of the eight Arctic States to Arctic areas that each State has identified, including introduction and passing of persons, equipment, and materials ; access to inquiry infrastructure and facilities ; and access to research areas. The agreement besides calls for the parties to promote education and train of scientists working on Arctic matters .
The geographic area, as defined by the Arctic Research and Policy Act of 1984, covered by this agreement in the United States includes territory north of the Arctic Circle and north and west of the limit formed by the Porcupine, Yukon, and Kuskokwim Rivers ; the Aleutian chain ; and adjacent marine areas in the Arctic Ocean and the Beaufort, Bering, and Chukchi Seas .
The point of contact for this agreement for the United States is the U.S. Arctic Research Commission, which can be reached at ( 703 ) 525-0113 or info @ arctic.gov .
Arctic Marine Oil Pollution Preparedness and Response Agreement (2013)
In May 2013, the eight Arctic States signed the Agreement on Cooperation on Marine Oil Pollution Preparedness and Response in the Arctic during the 9th Arctic Council Ministerial in Kiruna, Sweden. This is the second legally binding agreement negotiated under the auspices of the Arctic Council. The agreement strengthens cooperation, coordination, and common aid among arctic nations on anoint pollution readiness and reaction in the region to protect the marine environment. The agreement is helping to forge potent partnerships in gain of an oil spill so that north-polar countries can cursorily and hand in glove respond before it endangers lives and threatens delicate ecosystems.
Read more: A Man Quotes Maritime Law To Avoid Ticket
Arctic Search and Rescue (SAR) Agreement (2011)
In May 2011, the eight Arctic States signed the Agreement on Cooperation on Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue in the Arctic during the 8th Arctic Council Ministerial in Nuuk, Greenland ( Denmark ). This is the first legally binding agreement negotiated under the auspices of the Arctic Council. It coordinates life-saving international maritime and aeronautical SAR coverage and reply among the Arctic States across an area of about 13 million square miles in the Arctic. The SAR Agreement will improve search and rescue reaction in the Arctic by committing all Parties to coordinate allow aid to those in distress and to cooperate with each other in undertaking SAR operations. For each Party, the Agreement defines an area of the Arctic in which it will have tip duty in organizing responses to SAR incidents, both large and small. Parties to the Agreement entrust to provide SAR aid regardless of the nationality or status of persons who may need it .
Key Documents
2016 Implementation Framework for the National Strategy for the Arctic
executive order on Enhancing Coordination of National Efforts in the Arctic ( 2015 )
Read more: A Man Quotes Maritime Law To Avoid Ticket
execution plan for the National Strategy for the Arctic Region ( 2014 )
National Strategy for the Arctic Region ( 2013 )
Interagency Arctic Research Policy Committee
