News

Interview with Pétur Ásgeirsson, Iceland‘s Senior Arctic Official

Pétur Ásgeirsson has worked for the Icelandic government for nearly 30 years and is no stranger to the Arctic. From his time working in Greenland as a diplomat to his boa...

UArctic 20-year anniversary: Congratulations by the Chair of the Senior Arctic Officials

Today, the University of the Arctic (UArctic) hosted a seminar commemorating its 20-year anniversary. Among the invited speakers was Ambassador Nikolay Korchunov, Chair o...

Time witness reports: An Interview with Robert Kadas, Senior Advisor for Global Affairs Canada

Robert Kadas has been a part of the Arctic Council from its earliest days. Working in the Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs with a focus on western and northern C...

Introducing the new ACAP Chair: “The Arctic becomes a part of you”

Patrick Huber is a specialist in some of the planet’s most pressing challenges: environmental and energy issues. As the new Chair of the Arctic Contaminants Action Progra...

Introducing the new EPPR Chair: “Emergencies do not recognize boundaries on a map”

Kathy Nghiem is the new Chair of the Emergency Prevention, Preparedness and Response (EPPR) Working Group. She brings with her a diverse background and a love of people –...

Introducing the new SDWG Chair: “We can bring concrete results to people in the Arctic"

Dr. Oleg Solyakov is the new Chair of the Sustainable Development Working Group (SDWG) and with the Russian Chairmanship’s focus on people in the Arctic, he enters his ro...

Introducing the new AMAP Chair: “We can only be as good as the people who participate in AMAP”

Throughout his career, Benjamin DeAngelo, the Deputy Director for NOAA’s Climate Program Office, has navigated the space between science and policy, a valuable skill for ...

Introducing the new PAME Chair: “I want people to feel included”

Dr. Jessica Nilsson is the new Chair of the Protection of the Arctic Marine Environment Working Group (PAME) and she assumes her role with a strong vision: to foster coll...

Introducing the new CAFF Chair: “The Arctic is important for everyone”

Dr. Mia Rönkä is an ecologist, science editor and journalist, writer, poet and the new Chair of the Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna Working Group (CAFF). The leadi...

The powerhouse behind the scenes

Nina Buvang Vaaja has shaped the Arctic Council Secretariat (ACS) like no other. When her term as Director ends in August, she will have served the Arctic Council for twe...

Following the tracks of snowbirds: The Arctic Demography Index

For the first time, the Arctic Council will develop a comprehensive insight to demographic trends in the Arctic. The Arctic Demography Index will look into the natural ca...

The Russian Chairmanship of the Arctic Council begins under the theme “Responsible Governance for a Sustainable Arctic”

The first Arctic Council executive meeting during the Russian Chairmanship will focus on the work to be undertaken as set by the Foreign Ministers in the Reykjavik Declar...

An introduction to: The International Agreement to Prevent Unregulated Fishing in the High Seas of the Central Arctic Ocean

Today, the International Agreement to Prevent Unregulated Fishing in the High Seas of the Central Arctic Ocean enters into force. The Agreement will prevent commercial fi...

“Plastic in a Bottle” afloat again

In September 2019, the Arctic Council’s Protection of the Arctic Marine Environment (PAME) Working Group launched its first “Plastic in a Bottle”, a capsule equipped with...

Time witness reports: A red telephone for the environment

Hans Jakob Helms represented the Greenland Home Rule Government and was an advisor for the Danish delegation during the negotiations of the Arctic Environmental Protectio...

Time witness reports: With team support to AMAP’s success

Lars-Erik Liljelund, the second Chair of the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP), shares his memories and insights from his involvement in both AMAP and the...

Arctic Economic Council Holds Meeting at SPIEF

The St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) hosted a meeting of the Arctic Economic Council. This was the first event since Russia took over the Chairmanship ...

The Programme of Russia’s Chairmanship in the Arctic Council Presented to SPIEF Participants

The objectives and the programme of the Russian Chairmanship in the Arctic Council in 2021–2023 were presented at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.

Arctic states on track to reach the collective goal on black carbon emissions

The Arctic Council’s Expert Group on Black Carbon and Methane releases its Summary of Progress and Recommendations 2021

Arctic Council Foreign Ministers sign the Reykjavik Declaration, adopt the Council’s first Strategic Plan and pass the Chairmanship from Iceland to the Russian Federation

The Arctic States reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to maintain a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable Arctic region during the Arctic Council Ministerial meeting – the...