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Arctic Council

The leading intergovernmental forum promoting cooperation in the Arctic.

Who we are

Who we are

Expert groups and task forces carry out additional work.

Where we focus

How we work

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Agreements and cooperation

The establishment of the Arctic Council was considered an important milestone enhancing cooperation in the circumpolar North. In the Ottawa Declaration, the eight Arctic States established the Council as a high-level forum to provide means for promoting cooperation, coordination and interaction among the Arctic States – including the full consultation and full involvement of Arctic Indigenous communities and other Arctic inhabitants.

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Data and knowledge

At any given time the Council’s subsidiary bodies – the Working and Expert Groups – are engaged in close to 100 projects and initiatives.

Arctic monitoring. Icon: Freepik/Flaticon
Monitoring

As the Arctic continues to experience a period of intense and accelerating change it has become increasingly important to have better information on the status and trends of the Arctic environment.

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Assessments

Through the ever-growing body of assessments produced by its six Working Groups, the Arctic Council serves as knowledge broker and global advocate for Arctic topics. The Working Groups’ assessments have been instrumental in bringing Arctic issues to a global arena through policy recommendations and international cooperation.

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Recommendations

The strong knowledge base produced by the Arctic Council’s Working Groups and other subsidiary bodies feeds into recommendations for informed decision-making.

News and stories

Executive Secretary - CAFF International Secretariat

The Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna (CAFF) Working Group of the Arctic Council is seeking a candidate for the position of Executive Secretary for the CAFF Internat...
22 May 2023

Q&A with Morten Høglund, the new Chair of the Senior Arctic Officials

An update on the Arctic Council and ambitions during the Norwegian Chairship
15 May 2023

Arctic States and Indigenous Permanent Participants convened for the 13th Arctic Council meeting and issued statement

The meeting marked the conclusion of the Russian Chairmanship and beginning of the Norwegian Chairship.
11 May 2023
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