Arctic Council

Arctic Council is the leading intergovernmental forum

established in 199,6 which promotes cooperation, coordination,
and interaction among Arctic States, Arctic Indigenous, and other
Arctic inhabitants on common issues related to sustainable
development and environmental protection.

WHO TAKES PART IN ARCTIC COUNCIL

The Artic council is made up of 8 Artic States, 6 Permanent
Participants, 6 Working groups, and 38 observers.
Artic States
The Arctic States have a responsibility to look after their
territorial region in the Arctic. Territories encircling the Artic
Ocean are governed by their respective national authorities and
international law. More than 4 million people live in the
Northern part of Artic, and their health and well-being are the
top priorities of the Arctic Council.
Countries Arctic territories Population Artic Indigenous Peoples
(Approx)

1. The United North and western 50,000 Aleut, Tlingit and Haida
States boundaries and all
contiguous seas

2. Canada Northwest Territories, 150,000 Athabaskan, Inuit and

Nunavut, Yukon and Gwich’in
northern parts of numerus
provisions

3. The Russian Murmansk, Nenets, 2.5 million 40 indigenous peoples

Federation Chukotka Autonomous live in Russia mainly
Federation and northern Dolgan, Nganasan and
 municipalities of Yugakir
Arkhangelsk

4. Finland Lapland 180,000 Saami

5. Iceland All of Iceland 365,000

6. Norway Norland, Troms and 490,000 Saami

Finnmark, Svalbard and Jan
Mayen

7. The Kingdom Greenland 55,992 Inuit

of Denmark

8. Sweden Vasterbotton County and 520,000 Sami

Norrbotten County

WORKING GROUPS
Six working groups have responsibility to carry out Council activities. They carryout
initiative ordered by Artic Council Ministers.

PERMANENT PARTICIPANTS
Six organization representing Indigenous people are termed as Permanent
Participants. It is one of the most unique feature as it is created to promote active
participation of Indigenous people in the Artic Council.
They have full consultation right in the Council negotiation and decision. It also
contributes in Council’s activities. Indigenous People’s Secretariat facilitates their
participation and Initiatives in Council’s Project

OBSERVERS
Status of observer is open for Non-Artic States, inter-governmental, inter-
parliamentary, global, region and non-governmental organizations that council
determines can contribute in the work.

What does the Artic Circle do?

In according to Council’s strategic plan 2021-2023. Their main
focus is to make Artic “a region of peace, stability and
constructive cooperation, that is vibrant, prosperous,
sustainable, and secure home for all of its inhabitants where all
their rights and well-being are respected.
What are some arctic council accomplishments?
The Arctic Council through its working groups manage to run or
produces comprehensive, cutting-edge environment, ecological
and social assessments. The council has provided a new forum
for the negotiation of three legally binding agreements among all
eight arctic states,
1. Agreement on Cooperation on Aeronautical and Maritime
Search and Rescue in the Arctic (2011)
2. Agreement on Cooperation on Marine Oil Pollution
Preparedness and Response in the Arctic (2013)
3. Agreement on Enhancing International Arctic Scientific
Cooperation (2017).
Who Chairs the Arctic Council?
The chairmanship of Artic council keeps on rotating every two
years among the eight arctic states and hence there is no fixed
state to chair over it, First country who chaired was Canada since
1996-1998, and then followed by United States, Finland, Iceland,
Russian federation, Norway, Denmark and Sweden. The second
cycle to choose the chairman to rule this arctic council began in
2013.
What is Senior Arctic Official (SAO)?
Every Arctic State have the authority to appoint its particular
SAO to manage the interest in the Arctic Council. Thus, each SAO
is a government representative, usually from an Arctic States
Ministry of Foreign Affairs. These SAOs are assigned with the
work of monitoring the Arctic activities in accordance with the
decisions and instructions of foreign ministers of this Arctic
States. Then, the guidance is basically provided through in the
form of ministerial declarations, which are then produced
roughly every two years when the chairman of this Arctic council
changes/rotates.
When and where does the arctic council meet?
Although all partners meet at Ministerial meetings held every
2year, SAOs and Permanent Participants must meet at least
twice a year. Typically, these meetings held in the Artic State
with the Chairmanship. Additional meetings of Working Groups
and Task Force held at different locations and time according to
there convenience.