Signing of the Ottawa Declaration
Signing of the Ottawa Declaration ©

The Arctic Council turns 25

25 years of successful circumpolar cooperation

In September 1996, representatives of the eight states with territories north of the Arctic Circle signed a document that would shape the future intergovernmental collaboration in the High North: the Ottawa Declaration.

In 2021, the 8 states and 6 Indigenous Permanent Participants celebrate a 25-year collaboration that remains unique in the world.

25th Anniversary News

Time-witness reports: I was dealing with the nuts and bolts

Bernard Funston is one of the architects of key documents that still guide the Arctic Council’s work today. A lawyer by training monitoring the Arctic Environmental Prote...
27 Oct 2021

Time witness reports: The Council’s informal structure has been important to its longevity and success

Harald Finkler has experienced and captured the evolution of the Arctic Council firsthand – both with his camera and in his interview for this time witness report. For al...
05 Oct 2021

Celebrating 25 years of Arctic cooperation

The world’s leading international forum for Arctic cooperation reflects on the unique collaboration among Arctic States and Arctic Indigenous Peoples, and looks forward t...
16 Sep 2021
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