DeskPolicyThe 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.
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.
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.
During the Kiruna Ministerial Meeting, Arctic Ministers signed key policy documents including the Kiruna Declaration, Vision for the Arctic, and an agreement on marine oil pollution preparedness, alongside approving scientific reports.
Canadian Chairmanship team led by Patrick Borbey established working routines with the new Arctic Council Secretariat in Tromsø and celebrated its opening, while setting the stage for the first Senior Arctic Officials’ Meeting in Whitehorse.
On 19 June, Swedish and Norwegian royals were briefed in Tromsø on Arctic climate change, council work and ocean acidification, and the launch of a Standing Arctic Council Secretariat.
AMAP released the first comprehensive assessment of Arctic Ocean acidification, noting rapid CO2 uptake, ecosystem vulnerability, and potential effects on fisheries and indigenous resources.
Arctic Council ministers approved the 24‑recommendation Arctic Ocean Review, prioritizing Indigenous participation, ecosystem‑based management, and marine science to guide responsible stewardship of Arctic marine waters.
The Arctic Contaminants Action Program (ACAP) has removed nearly 7,000 tonnes of obsolete pesticides from old storage in 13 Russian regions, highlighting ongoing efforts to safeguard Arctic health and environment.
In June 2013, the Arctic Council’s PAME convened three Reykjavík workshops to advance integrated environmental assessment of Arctic LMEs, link AMSA initiatives with shipping impacts, and define the new AMSP's scope, vision, and actions for the next decade.
Canada’s 2013‑2015 Arctic Council chairmanship, led by Minister Aglukkaq, prioritized responsible resource development, safe shipping, indigenous knowledge integration, and climate action.
Arctic Council is coordinating scientific assessments and action plans, including expert groups and a task force, to reduce short‑lived climate pollutants like methane, black carbon, and ozone, aiming to protect Arctic communities and curb global warming.
The Task Force for Action on Black Carbon and Methane met in Whitehorse, Yukon, focusing on the health and climate benefits of cutting black carbon and methane emissions, with co‑chairs from Canada and Sweden outlining the Arctic Council’s role in leading global efforts.
Arctic Council senior officials convened in Whitehorse, Yukon, to approve projects on contaminants, mental wellness, and climate adaptation, and released a report on sea‑ice biodiversity impacts.
