Arctic Council set to meet in Oulu
The Arctic Council convenes in Oulu this week, in the first meeting of Finland’s chairmanship. The meeting will discuss a recently-signed agreement on scientific co-operation in the Arctic, along with the council’s approach to an upcoming UN conference on climate change due to be held in Bonn, Germany.
Around 160 participants are expected, including representatives from non-Arctic countries such as South Korea, China and India, who all have commercial or scientific interests in the region. The Oulu meeting will be attended by officials and diplomats from the participating countries.
The Agreement on Enhancing International Arctic Co-operation was signed at the last Arctic Council meeting in Fairbanks, Alaska, last May in an effort to break down barriers to research in the polar region.
Finland has planned to emphasise education and climate change at this week’s meeting, according to Rene Söderman, the lead expert on the Arctic at the Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs.
Related stories from around the North:
Canada: Colonialism still present in Arctic, says premier of Canada’s Northwest Territories, Eye on the Arctic
Denmark: Denmark’s new defence agreement renews focus on protecting the Baltic, Radio Canada International
Finland: Pollution, education and climate change resilience top agenda of Arctic Council meeting in Finland, Radio Canada International
Greenland: Companies ill-prepared to respect indigenous rights in Arctic, study finds, Blog by Mia Bennett
Iceland: Norwegians and Icelanders let Alaskans in on the secrets to economic prosperity, Alaska Public Radio Network
Norway: Establishment of Álgu Fund marks new beginning in Arctic Council, indigenous peoples say, The Independent Barents Observer
Russia: Foreign Ministers line up for Barents talks in Arkhangelsk, The Independent Barents Observer
Sweden: Swedish minister Margot Wallström takes on the lead in Barents, The Independent Barents Observer
United States: New bill aims to reverse Obama restrictions on Arctic offshore drilling, Alaska Public Radio Network
