Coverage

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.

AMAP's Working Group met in Moscow, presenting upcoming reports on mercury, ice and permafrost, black carbon, and UAS guidelines, while coordinating with other Arctic Council groups and hosting workshops to support Arctic policy and science.

The first SAO meeting under Swedish chairmanship, held at Luleå Technical University in November 2019, welcomed 160 participants and approved the Arctic Resilience Report and four new Sustainable Development Working Group projects.

Arctic Council launched the Indigenous Peoples Contaminant Action Program to reduce contaminant exposure in Arctic indigenous communities, holding its first meeting in Luleå, Sweden, with key indigenous and state actors and setting project priorities.

The Arctic Council, led by Sweden, convened a workshop in Stockholm to adapt OECD corporate social responsibility guidelines for the Arctic, bringing together companies, OECD, WWF, governments and indigenous groups to ensure environmentally and socially sustainable development.

Sweden’s Arctic Council Chairmanship is hosting its first senior officials meeting at the Stockholm museum this March, aiming to blend policy discussions with public outreach on Arctic science and conservation.

The Circumpolar Biodiversity Monitoring Program joined the GEO BON Arctic network, expanding collaboration among scientists, governments, and Indigenous groups to better track Arctic biodiversity.

The SDWG met in Gällivare, Sweden, in February 2019 to discuss Sámi community issues, visit the Malmberget mine, and endorse projects such as AMATII and an Inuit response to AMSA, influencing Arctic policy and community outcomes.

The Arctic Ocean Review’s second phase analyzes current marine trends, evaluates existing protections, and will deliver policy recommendations to strengthen Arctic governance before the 2013 Council meeting.

The Arctic Council’s PAME working group convened in Stockholm March 26–27, 2012, to review Arctic Marine Shipping Assessment follow‑ups, IMO Polar Code developments, and other marine protection initiatives.

The Arctic Council's second Senior Arctic Officials meeting in Stockholm approved key projects including AMATII and established a future secretariat in Tromsø, strengthening Arctic governance and sustainable development.

Arctic Council experts met in Gothenburg to refine principles of ecosystem‑based management, discuss barriers and share scientific assessments, laying groundwork for upcoming ministerial guidance.

The leadership change directs Arctic contaminant policy, project completion, and funding strategies, strengthening efforts to reduce persistent organic pollutants across the region.

Deputy Ministers in Stockholm approved the Kiruna Statement, a new communication strategy, and the Adaptation Actions for a Changing Arctic project while setting up a standing Secretariat for the Arctic Council.

A 2012 CAFF workshop in Stockholm gathered 30 delegates from Arctic states and indigenous groups to shape policy recommendations for the Arctic Biodiversity Assessment, highlighting climate‑driven shifts.

The U.S. Government has pledged up to $5 million to the Arctic Council’s Project Support Instrument to fund environmental projects in the Russian Arctic, strengthening Arctic governance and pollution mitigation efforts.

The Swedish SAO meeting elected Magnús Jóhannesson as director of the new Arctic Council Secretariat in Tromsø, Norway, released a statement suspending Russian indigenous organization RAIPON, and set key priorities for the Swedish chairmanship.

Arctic Council announces Magnus Johannesson as first director of its new standing Secretariat, a move intended to strengthen continuity and coordination of Arctic governance.

Arctic Council Ministers opened the Standing Secretariat in Tromsø, signed a Host Country Agreement with Norway, and discussed climate, geopolitics, and future council priorities.

Arctic Council working groups ACAP, CAFF and PAME finalized their reports and work plans in February, preparing key documents for the May Ministerial meeting in Kiruna.

Kiruna, Sweden’s northernmost town, will host the Arctic Council Ministerial Meeting on May 15, amid its iron‑ore mining economy and planned relocation.

Patrick Borbey was appointed Chair of the Arctic Council’s Senior Arctic Officials for Canada’s 2013-2015 chairmanship, focusing on northern peoples’ development, responsible resource use, safe shipping, and communities.

The 2013 Arctic Council Ministerial Meeting in Kiruna, Sweden, saw ministers sign the Marine Oil Pollution Preparedness and Response agreement and approve new scientific reports on Arctic biodiversity, ocean review, and acidification, establishing a new oil‑spill response

At Kiruna, Arctic Council states and Indigenous Peoples adopted a Vision for the Arctic and signed a binding marine oil‑pollution agreement, reviewing reports on biodiversity, marine environment, and acidification.

Canada took over chairmanship of the Arctic Council in 2013, with Leona Aglukkaq leading a theme of "development for the people of the North" that emphasizes responsible resource use, safe shipping, and sustainable communities.