Erik Solheim talks about polar bears (Caseimage)
17 March 2009

Reviewing the Polar Bear Agreement

By Jesper Hansen

The agreement on the conservation of polar bears has been a success until now where global heating is threatening the habitats, says the Norwegian Minister of Environmental Affairs.

"It was one of the best moments in my entire life when I touched a sedated polar bear in a science project in Svalbard", told the Norwegian Minister of Environmental Affairs, when he opened the worlds first high-level meeting about the Agreement on the Conservation of Polar Bears since 1981.

"The agreement has been a success. Today there are no threats to the polar bear in its close surroundings. The biggest threat is the effects of the global warming which decrease the habitats to the Polar Bear. When the ice melts the polar bears are in risk of being extinguished because the sea ice is the only place where this amazing animal can live," said Mr. Solheim.

The meeting will continue until Thursday. The purpose of the meeting will be to provide an update on the conservation status for the polar bear and to review implementation of the polar bear agreement.

The parties in the meeting are USA, Canada, Denmark/Greenland, Norway and Russia.

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The minister of Environmental Affairs in Norway, Mr. Erik Solheim, opened the high level polar bear meeting.

(Photo: Jesper Hansen)