The Arctic Council is an intergovernmental organization between the eight countries with territory above the Arctic Circle (Russia, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Iceland, Denmark, Canada and the USA) and indigenous peoples’ groups, devoted to “promoting cooperation in the Arctic”. It appeared in its first form in 1991 with the adoption of the Arctic Environmental Protection Strategy. A series of monitoring and environmental protection agreements followed quickly, and in 1996, the Ottawa Declaration formally established the Arctic Council.
The offical logo (I think it's pretty cool).
The Council sponsors a number of research programs on various aspects of the Arctic environment, covering topics like Arctic peoples, biodiversity, climate, the ocean, pollutants and emergencies. Since its creation it has allowed a number of observer nations, who may attend meetings but cannot vote. Observers include most of continental Europe, China and India. China particularly in recent years has become increasingly interested in the Arctic and is seeking a path to become a voting member.
Map of member and observer states.
Chairmanship over the Council rotates among members with a two-year term. Russia is currently serving its 2021-2023 term, but due to its invasion of Ukraine, the other seven members have suspended Council operations. They will resume in 2023 when the chairmanship passes to Norway. But Russia occupies roughly 1/3 of the Arctic, and its diplomatic isolation puts the future of the Council in some doubt. It is this uncertainty with China seeks to exploit and gain a full seat while having no Arctic territory. China’s interest in the far north, with its oil deposits and potential shipping routes, shows very clearly the Arctic’s growing geopolitical importance.
Western portion of the Arctic, September 2010.
It also shows at best contradictions in, and at worst the total hollowness of, nations’ stated commitments to awareness and mitigation of global warming. Exploitation of the Arctic Ocean’s oil and gas reserves will be a full surrender to the capitalistic destruction of our climate as we know it. Trade routes through an open Arctic ocean would likely be the same. The Arctic Council has no real power over the actions of its members: it is a forum for cultural, not diplomatic, exchange. It is an arena for soft power and, hopefully, enough meaningful research and cultural exchange to empower real change in the political and economic world.
A titanium flag placed on the floor of the Arctic Ocean at the North Pole in 2007. Galling, isn't it?
Tomorrow: introduction to Switzerland.
Be brave, and be well.
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