Many Countries Court the Arctic Council

The world's focus on the Arctic is increasing. Major nations like China, Italy, Great Britain, Spain and France have indicated their willingness to contribute towards the sustainable development of the huge resources that exist in the Arctic Region, as well as to other environmental projects in the North, the regional Norwegian Radio Station NRK- Nordnytt reports. They would like to join the international collaborative body called the Arctic Council, according to chair of the Senior Arctic Officials Ambassador Karsten Klepsvik from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Norway.

The Senior Arctic Officials meeting is the highest administrative level in the Arctic Council. The next meeting will be held in April in Svolvær on the Lofoten Islands. Here the Arctic Council will discuss the nature of any formal links with these countries. "Several alternatives exist to full membership with the right of veto, e.g. acting as advisors but without voting rights," says Karsten Klepsvik.

"Incorporating these countries into our work represents a major challenge but they have a great deal to offer on the research front and in terms of resources. China has indicated its willingness to put major resources into this, for example," he says.