Finland looks to put education, environment at top of Arctic agenda

finland-looks-to-put-education-environment-at-top-of-arctic-agenda-1
Sea ice off Greenland’s northwest coast on March 30, 2017. According to scientists, sea ice in the Arctic has reached its lowest maximum wintertime extent ever recorded in 2017. The Arctic has been one of the regions hardest hit by climate change. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)
Finland takes over the chairmanship of the Arctic Council from the United States this week. The Finnish government will emphasise action to fight climate change and aim to share expertise in education during its two-year chairmanship of the multilateral body.

Finnish Foreign Minister Timo Soini heads to Fairbanks, Alaska this week for a meeting of foreign ministers from the countries that make up the Arctic Council. It’s an important trip for Finland, which takes over the rotating two-year chairmanship of the council at a delicate time in international politics.

The council comprises the five Nordic countries plus the United States, Canada and Russia. At this week’s summit the assembled ministers will sign a declaration on the promotion of international co-operation in scientific research.

“Asian countries are particularly interested in the development of the Arctic region for the extraction of natural resources and also because climate change is already affecting Asia significantly,” said Tero Vauraste of Arctia Oy, Finland’s state-owned icebreaking company.

A meeting between Finnish Foreign Minister Timo Soini (2-L) and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (3-R) in Beijing, China in February 2017. (Roman Pilipey/Getty Images)
Tricky stage

Vauraste is also chair of the Arctic Economic Council, which is a forum for dialogue between the Arctic Council itself and the business community.

The Finnish chairmanship begins at a tricky stage in Arctic history, with uncertainty hanging over co-operation in the region. EU and US sanctions and Russia, and the Trump administration’s plan to cut spending on climate change and environmental protection programmes, have cast a shadow over the council’s work.

According to the office of the Prime Minister, Finland plans to emphasise environmental protection, connectivity, meteorology and education during its term at the helm, with the Paris Agreement to combat climate change front and centre. That outlook reflects the priorities of environmental groups.

Climate change key

“Success in stopping climate change will decide the Arctic region’s future,” said Laura Meller of Greenpeace, which along with other environmentalist groups is lobbying to stop drilling for oil in the Arctic.

One of Finland’s proposed measures is to ensure that all meetings during its chairmanship are as environmentally sustainable as possible. To that end it has agreed with WWF that local foods will be used as much as possible and organisers will seek out sustainable transport options.

Related stories from around the North:

Canada: Better climate adaptation strategies needed across the Arctic, Eye on the Arctic

Denmark/Greenland: Q&A: Impact assessments in the Arctic – What Canada and Greenland can learn from each other, Eye on the Arctic

FinlandFinland’s foreign minister visits Washington en route to Arctic Council summit, Yle News

Iceland: Indigenous Peoples’ knowledge can help us prevent climate changes says Ban Ki-moon, Eye on the Arctic

Norway: Norway and Finland talk Arctic with China, The Independent Barents Observer

Russia: Arctic Council ministerial – View from Russia, Yle News

Sweden: Swedish government unveils new climate law, Radio Sweden

United States: Business vs. environment debate hurts Northeners, says Arctic Economic Council, Alaska Dispatch News


The Arctic Council chairmanship moves from the United States to Finland on May 11, 2017 in Fairbanks, Alaska. Eye on the Arctic’s Eilís Quinn along with EOTA media partners and contributors will be bringing you stories, interviews and analysis leading up to the handover.
Read our full coverage here!

Yle News

For more news from Finland visit Yle News.

Do you want to report an error or a typo? Click here!

Leave a Reply

Note: By submitting your comments, you acknowledge that Radio Canada International has the right to reproduce, broadcast and publicize those comments or any part thereof in any manner whatsoever. Radio Canada International does not endorse any of the views posted. Your comments will be pre-moderated and published if they meet netiquette guidelines.
Netiquette »

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *