In a panel held at the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development in New York, several speakers highlighted the unique model of the Arctic Council in supporting science diplomacy, bringing governments, indigenous peoples, and the scientific community together in support of sustainable development in the region.

The Arctic Council is proud to host a Ministerial side event at the UN High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development 2018, taking place in New York.

When the Arctic Council Chairmanship passed from the United States to Finland in May of 2017, the Arctic Council also welcomed new Chairs for several of the six Working Groups. In the interview below, get to know Pekka Shemeikka of Finland, the new Chair of the Sustainable Development Working Group (SDWG).

The third and final workshop of the Reducing the Incidence of Suicide in Indigenous Groups - Strengths United through Networks (RISING SUN) project is slated to take place in Iqaluit, Nunavut, Canada March 1-2, 2017.

The Arctic Council’s Sustainable Development Working Group (SDWG) met on 1-2 October, 2016 in Orono, Maine. The group focused on the progress of its projects and potential deliverables for 2017 Ministerial meeting.

In May, multiple meetings addressing human health issues in the Arctic took place in Tromsø. These included a workshop on reducing the incidence of suicide in indigenous groups, and a meeting of the Arctic Human Health Expert Group, or AHHEG.

The Arctic Council’s Sustainable Development Working Group (SDWG) met for the second time during the U.S. Chairmanship on 11-12 March 2016 in Barrow, Alaska.

At a meeting in Fairbanks, Alaska, March 15-17, the Arctic Council gathered Senior Arctic Officials (SAOs) from the eight Arctic States, and the six Permanent Participant organizations representing indigenous peoples of the Arctic, to address ongoing efforts on a range of topics of high importance for the Arctic.

Read an interview with Roberta Burns, the Chair of the Sustainable Development Working Group (SDWG).

The Sustainable Development Working Group (SDWG) met recently in Chena Hot Springs, Alaska. The group discussed project ideas including solid waste handling in the Arctic, renewable energy microgrids and a remote energy training program, among others.

The last of three thematic pillars of the United States Chairmanship program is “Addressing the Impacts of Climate Change”…

The first of three thematic pillars of the United States Chairmanship program is “Improving Economic & Living Conditions for Arctic Communities”…

During Canada’s Chairmanship, much of the Arctic Council’s work focused on initiatives that support the well-being and prosperity of Arctic residents...

The goal of the Arctic Council EALLIN project is to maintain and develop sustainable reindeer husbandry in the Arctic.

The Arctic Council and its Sustainable Development Working Group (SDWG) will host a public event in Yellowknife on Monday, October 20, titled “Traditional Knowledge in our Work”.

The Sustainable Development Working Group (SDWG) held a successful workshop on the project “the Evidence Base for Promoting Mental Wellness and Resilience to Address Suicide in Circumpolar Communities” in May in Tromsø, Norway. The two-day event brought together research teams, Permanent Participants, community members, academics and government officials.

The Arctic Marine Tourism Project (AMTP) is part of a renewed effort by the Arctic Council to analyze and promote sustainable tourism across the circumpolar Arctic. The AMTP is organized by the Arctic Council’s Working Group on the Protection of the Arctic Marine Environment (PAME) and co-led by Canada and the United States.

On Thursday April 19 the Swedish Chairmanship hosted a Conference on Sustainable Business in the Arctic in Stockholm. Over 50 participants representing government, industry, Indigenous Peoples, research institutions, and organizations were present.

The last Sustainable Development Working Group (SDWG) meeting was held at the Vikin Maritime Museum, Reykjavik, Iceland 17-19 September. The meeting began with an Informal Open Business Dialogue 17 September with 25 representatives from a wide range of industry sectors. The Informal Open Business Dialogue provided a good opportunity for delegates to hear about the challenges and opportunities, in particular of how business can contribute to sustainable development in the Arctic.

The Sustainable Development Working Group (SDWG) meeting took place in Gällivare in Northern Sweden February 14-15. A total of 34 representatives from the Member states, Permanent Participants, PAME and AMAP Working Groups, and Observers attended the meeting.