Coverage

Arctic Council's PAME Working Group released its first Arctic Shipping Status Report, showing 25% rise in ship entries and 75% increase in distance sailed between 2013‑2019, highlighting growing shipping activity in the Arctic Polar Code area.

The Saami Council President, Christina Henriksen, explains how COVID-19 restrictions impact Sámi cross‑border travel, reindeer herding, and healthcare access, underscoring the need for tailored support for Arctic indigenous communities.

Greenland faces COVID‑19 challenges due to limited local testing, few healthcare resources, and high vulnerability from past outbreaks, making containment crucial for Arctic communities.

The International Maritime Organization, as an Observer in the Arctic Council, is expanding its Polar Code and collaborating on safety, environmental, and climate initiatives to support secure sustainable shipping in polar waters.

The International Arctic Science Committee, as an observer to the Arctic Council, describes its long‑standing role in contributing scientific expertise, facilitating research cooperation, and engaging with council working groups on pressing Arctic issues.

Since gaining observer status in 2013, Italy has leveraged its scientific expertise and funding initiatives to actively contribute to Arctic Council work, supporting research, indigenous interests, and sustainable development.

NATO deployed 16,000 soldiers to conduct a war game in the Arctic's freezing environment, underscoring military readiness in the region.

Arctic Council appoints Magnús Jóhannesson as Special Coordinator on Plastics, outlining ongoing projects, a planned regional action plan, and an upcoming Icelandic symposium to address plastic pollution.

The Arctic is experiencing its worst wildfire season on record, with Gwich'in communities in Alaska urging Arctic Council states to collaborate on fire monitoring, emergency response, and community planning.

The EPPR Working Group reviewed the VIKING SKY cruise ship incident to assess how a similar emergency would unfold in the Arctic, underscoring the critical need for international search‑and‑rescue coordination.

The Arctic Council’s PAME Working Group launched a GPS‑equipped plastic bottle into the Atlantic to trace litter paths, gather data for a regional plastics policy, and raise Arctic environmental awareness.

CAFF’s first circumpolar assessment shows warming and development threaten Arctic freshwater species such as Arctic char and ecosystem services like fish and drinking water, urging improved monitoring.

The Arctic Council and Arctic Economic Council held their first joint meeting in Reykjavik, Iceland, on 9 October 2019 to discuss cooperation on marine transport, telecoms, resource development, biodiversity, and responsible investment under a new Memorandum of Understanding.

Finland’s Ministry of Environment hosted a workshop in Ivalo to integrate Saami perspectives into Arctic environmental impact assessments, emphasizing early engagement, traditional knowledge inclusion, and respect for indigenous livelihoods amid climate-driven industry expansion.

The Arctic Economic Council’s Executive Committee has seen a leadership transition, with Icelandic business community’s Heidar Gudjonsson assuming the chair and Finnish business representative Tero Kiviniemi stepping in as Vice‑Chair, reflecting the council’s two‑year

In 2019, the Arctic Economic Council held key meetings, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Arctic Council, launched a Blue Economy Working Group, and engaged stakeholders across the Arctic to advance responsible investment and governance.

A COP25 side event highlighted the swift rise of Arctic ocean acidification, its ecological and cultural impacts, and called for urgent action.

Russia’s federal government has formalized a 15‑year master plan for the Northern Sea Route, outlining policies to manage shipping traffic and infrastructure development along this Arctic corridor.

Russia’s top general confirms that the Kinzhal missile is deployed in the Arctic, signaling an escalation of Russian military presence in the region.

The world's largest nuclear‑powered icebreaker has begun sea trials, boosting Russia’s ability to maintain year‑round shipping lanes in the Arctic.

In February 2011, scientists and community experts from Canada, Greenland, Norway, Russia, and the U.S. met in Edmonton to develop a Pan‑Arctic Polar Bear Monitoring Plan, establishing coordinated monitoring standards, indicators, and reporting mechanisms for decision‑makers.

The 7th Arctic Council Ministerial Meeting in Nuuk will sign the first binding Search and Rescue agreement and the Nuuk Declaration, and present reports on Arctic resilience and climate science.

Arctic Council’s EPPR Working Group met in Whitehorse, Yukon, June 15‑16 2011 to discuss marine oil spill preparedness, pilot projects for oil spill and vessel rescue response, and radiological emergency collaboration with Russia.

Sweden chaired the Arctic Council (2011‑2013), prioritizing climate change, oil emission prevention, indigenous rights, and sustainable economic development, with a key SAO meeting in Luleå.

Russia pledged €10 million to the Arctic Council’s Project Support Instrument, becoming the largest contributor and supporting pollution‑prevention projects across the Russian Arctic.