Flag for the Arctic Council, the eight Arctic States and six Permanent Participants Circumpolar collaboration amidst coronavirus pandemic 26 June 2020Arctic PeoplesAgreements and cooperationIceland Arctic Council Senior Arctic Officials met virtually and i.a. discussed how the Arctic Council could contribute circumpolar responses to the long-term effects of the coronavirus pandemic in the North On 24-25 June, the Arctic Council convened for the third Senior Arctic Official (SAO) executive meeting during the Icelandic Chairmanship (2019-2021). The Chair of the Arctic Council, Guðlaugur Þór Þórðarson, Iceland’s Foreign Minister, welcomed over 60 delegates from all Arctic States, Indigenous Permanent Participant organizations, and the Council’s Working Groups. In his address, Foreign Minister Þórðarson noted the importance of continuing the work of the Council in face of the challenges posed by Covid-19 and urged delegates to pool together knowledge and experience to help tackle this pandemic. Group photo from the Senior Arctic Officials' executive meeting, which was held both on location in Iceland and virtually on an online platform. (Photo: Arctic Council)