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data-toggle='dropdown' aria-haspopup='true' aria-expanded='false'>Our work</a> <div class='dropdown-menu w-100 mt-n1' aria-labelledby='explore'><div class='container'><div class='row'><div class='col-md pb-2'> <a class='dropdown-item' href='/explore/topics/'> Topics</a><a class='dropdown-item small' href='/explore/topics/arctic-peoples/'>Arctic Peoples</a><a class='dropdown-item small' href='/explore/topics/biodiversity/'>Biodiversity</a><a class='dropdown-item small' href='/explore/topics/climate/'>Climate</a><a class='dropdown-item small' href='/explore/topics/ocean/'>Ocean</a><a class='dropdown-item small' href='/explore/topics/pollutants/'>Pollutants</a><a class='dropdown-item small' href='/explore/topics/emergency/'>Emergencies</a></div><div class='col-md pb-2'> <a class='dropdown-item' href='/explore/work/'> How we work</a><a class='dropdown-item small' href='/explore/work/cooperation/'>Agreements and cooperation</a><a class='dropdown-item small' href='/explore/work/arctic-knowledge/'>Data and knowledge</a><a class='dropdown-item small' href='/explore/work/monitoring/'>Monitoring</a><a class='dropdown-item small' href='/explore/work/assessments/'>Assessments</a><a class='dropdown-item small' href='/explore/work/policy-recommendations/'>Recommendations</a></div><div class='col-md pb-2'> <a class='dropdown-item' href='/projects/'> Projects</a><a class='dropdown-item small' href='/projects/arctic-migratory-birds-initiative-ambi/'>Arctic Migratory Birds Initiative (AMBI)</a><a class='dropdown-item small' href='/projects/circumpolar-biodiversity-monitoring-program-cbmp/'>Circumpolar Biodiversity Monitoring Program (CBMP)</a><a class='dropdown-item small' href='/projects/arctic-shipping-best-practice-information-forum/'>Arctic Shipping Best Practice Information Forum</a><a class='dropdown-item small' href='/projects/gender-equality/'>Gender Equality in the Arctic (GEA) II</a><a class='dropdown-item small' href='/projects/circumpolar-local-environmental-observer-network-cleo/'>Circumpolar Local Environmental Observer Network (CLEO)</a><a class='dropdown-item small' href='/projects/actions-for-arctic-biodiversity/'>Actions for Arctic Biodiversity</a><a class='dropdown-item small' href='/projects/invasive/'>Protection from Invasive Species</a><a class='dropdown-item small' href='/projects/regional-action-plan-on-marine-litter/'>Regional Action Plan on Marine Litter: Implementation</a><a class='dropdown-item small' href='/projects/the-tundra-project/'>The Tundra Project</a><a class='dropdown-item small' href='/projects/arctic-black-carbon-case-studies-platform/'>Arctic Black Carbon Case Studies Platform</a><a class='dropdown-item small' href='/projects/'>See all</a></div></li><li class='nav-item nav-toplevel'><a class='nav-link accent' href='/news/'>News</a></li><li class='nav-item nav-toplevel'><a class='nav-link accent' href='/resources/'>Resources</a></li><li class='nav-item nav-toplevel'><a class='nav-link accent' href='/contact/'>Contact</a></li></ul><span class='nav-item nav-ru'><a class='nav-link' href='/ru/about/'>русский</a></span><span class='nav-item dropdown position-static'> <a class='nav-link dropdown-toggle' href='#' id='search' role='button' data-toggle='dropdown' aria-haspopup='true' aria-expanded='false'> <i class='bi bi-search'></i> </a> <div class='dropdown-menu mt-n1 w-100' aria-labelledby='search'> <form class='form-inline container p-3' action='/search/' method='get'> <input class='form-control search w-75' type='text' placeholder='Search' aria-label='Search' name='q' value=''> <button class='btn btn-primary' type='submit' name='submit'> Search</button> </form> </div> </span> </ul> </div> </div> </nav> </header> <main class="main_1025"> <div class='container head-default'><div class='mt-5 text-center'><nav class='breadcrumbs mb-2'><small></small></nav><h1>About the Arctic Council</h1></div></div> <script type="text/javascript" src="/site/templates/scripts/lists.js"></script> <section class='block block_text bg-transparent'> <div class='container'><div class='bg-transparent depth-0'> <div class='textblock'><p>The Arctic Council is the leading intergovernmental forum promoting cooperation, coordination and interaction among the Arctic States, Arctic Indigenous Peoples and other Arctic inhabitants on common Arctic issues, in particular on issues of sustainable development and environmental protection in the Arctic. It was formally established in 1996.</p> <p>All Arctic Council decisions and statements require consensus of the eight Arctic States.</p></div> </div></div></section><section class='block block_pubthumbs bg-transparent'> <div class='container'> <div class='row justify-content-center'><div class='col-md-3'><h3><a href='https://oaarchive.arctic-council.org/items/5b1cf319-c3d0-427a-b874-78ce0e32bba4'>A quick guide to the Arctic Council</a></h3><div class='row'><a href='https://oaarchive.arctic-council.org/items/5b1cf319-c3d0-427a-b874-78ce0e32bba4' class='pubItem'> <div class=''> <img src = 'https://oaarchive.arctic-council.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/49a2c38b-4d04-4ced-8f79-d76aa6919156/content' class='img-fluid' alt='thumb'> </div> The Arctic Council: A Quick Quide </a></div></div></div></div></section><section class='block block_text bg-transparent'> <div class='container'><div class='bg-transparent depth-0'> <div class='textblock'><h2>Who takes part in the Arctic Council?</h2> <div> <div> <div> <hr /> <h3><a href="/about/states/">Eight Arctic States</a></h3> <p><a href="http://hdl.handle.net/11374/85" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Ottawa Declaration </a>defines these states as Members of the Arctic Council. The eight States have territories within the Arctic and thus carry the role of stewards of the region. Their national jurisdictions and international law govern the lands surrounding the Arctic Ocean and its waters.</p> <p>The Northern regions of the Arctic States are home to more than four million people, whose health and well-being is on the top of the Arctic Council’s agenda.</p> </div> </div> </div></div> </div></div></section><section class='block block_list bg-transparent'> <div class='container'><div class='breakout'> <div class='container text-center'></div> <div class='listContainer container list-states textOnly horizontal'><div class='listItem'><div class='list-text'> <a href='/about/states/canada/'>Canada</a> </div> </div><div class='listItem'><div class='list-text'> <a href='/about/states/denmark/'>The Kingdom of Denmark</a> </div> </div><div class='listItem'><div class='list-text'> <a href='/about/states/finland/'>Finland</a> </div> </div><div class='listItem'><div class='list-text'> <a href='/about/states/iceland/'>Iceland</a> </div> </div><div class='listItem'><div class='list-text'> <a href='/about/states/norway/'>Norway</a> </div> </div><div class='listItem'><div class='list-text'> <a href='/about/states/russian-federation/'>The Russian Federation</a> </div> </div><div class='listItem'><div class='list-text'> <a href='/about/states/sweden/'>Sweden</a> </div> </div><div class='listItem'><div class='list-text'> <a href='/about/states/the-united-states/'>The United States</a> </div> </div></div> </div></div></section><section class='block block_text bg-transparent'> <div class='container'><div class='bg-transparent depth-0'> <div class='textblock'><hr /> <h3><a href="/about/permanent-participants/">Six Permanent Participants</a></h3> <p>The category of Permanent Participants is a unique feature of the Arctic Council. Six organizations representing Arctic Indigenous Peoples have status as Permanent Participants. This category was created to provide a means for active participation of the Arctic Indigenous Peoples within the Council.</p> <p>The Permanent Participants have full consultation rights in connection with the Council’s negotiations and decisions, and make valuable contributions to its activities in all areas. Their participation in the Council’s projects and initiatives is facilitated by the <a href="/about/indigenous-peoples-secretariat/">Indigenous Peoples’ Secretariat</a>.</p></div> </div></div></section><section class='block block_list bg-transparent'> <div class='container'><div class='breakout'> <div class='container text-center'></div> <div class='listContainer container list-permanent-participants image_over_text horizontal'><div class='listItem'><a href='/about/permanent-participants/aia/'><img src='/site/assets/files/1101/aia-sq.240x240.png' alt='AIA logo' loading='lazy' title='AIA logo' class='img-fluid'/></a><div class='list-text'> <div class='list-acronym'>AIA</div> <a href='/about/permanent-participants/aia/'>Aleut International Association</a> <p class='list-summary'>The Aleut International Association (AIA) is a not-for-profit corporation that represents Indigenous peoples of Aleut descent in the United States and the Russian Federation.</p> </div> </div><div class='listItem'><a href='/about/permanent-participants/aac/'><img src='/site/assets/files/1160/aac_fixed_200px.240x240.png' alt='AAC logo' loading='lazy' title='AAC logo' class='img-fluid'/></a><div class='list-text'> <div class='list-acronym'>AAC</div> <a href='/about/permanent-participants/aac/'>Arctic Athabaskan Council</a> <p class='list-summary'>The Arctic Athabaskan Council (AAC) is an international treaty organization that represents approximately 45,000 Indigenous peoples of Athabaskan descent spanning 76 communities in Alaska, US, Yukon and Northwest Territories in Canada.</p> </div> </div><div class='listItem'><a href='/about/permanent-participants/gci/'><img src='/site/assets/files/1162/gci-sq.240x240.png' alt='GCI logo' loading='lazy' title='GCI logo' class='img-fluid'/></a><div class='list-text'> <div class='list-acronym'>GCI</div> <a href='/about/permanent-participants/gci/'>Gwich'in Council International</a> <p class='list-summary'>Gwich'in Council International (GCI) represents the Gwich'in in Canada and USA.</p> </div> </div><div class='listItem'><a href='/about/permanent-participants/icc/'><img src='/site/assets/files/1164/icc.240x240.png' alt='ICC logo' loading='lazy' title='ICC logo' class='img-fluid'/></a><div class='list-text'> <div class='list-acronym'>ICC</div> <a href='/about/permanent-participants/icc/'>Inuit Circumpolar Council</a> <p class='list-summary'>The Inuit Circumpolar Council (ICC) is an international Indigenous Peoples Organization that was founded in 1977 by the late Eben Hopson, Sr. of Utqiagvik, Alaska.</p> </div> </div><div class='listItem'><a href='/about/permanent-participants/raipon/'><img src='/site/assets/files/1166/raipon_200px.240x240.png' alt='RAIPON logo' loading='lazy' title='RAIPON logo' class='img-fluid'/></a><div class='list-text'> <div class='list-acronym'>RAIPON</div> <a href='/about/permanent-participants/raipon/'>Russian Association of Indigenous Peoples of the North</a> <p class='list-summary'>The Russian Association of Indigenous Peoples of the North (RAIPON) represents 40 Indigenous Peoples that live in the North of the Russian Federation.</p> </div> </div><div class='listItem'><a href='/about/permanent-participants/saami-council/'><img src='/site/assets/files/1168/saami-sq.240x240.png' alt='Saami Council logo' loading='lazy' title='Saami Council logo' class='img-fluid'/></a><div class='list-text'> <a href='/about/permanent-participants/saami-council/'>Saami Council</a> <p class='list-summary'>The Saami Council is a non-governmental organization that represents between 50,000 to 80,000 Saami that live in Finland, the Russian Federation, Norway and Sweden. The Saami Council has nine member organizations: three in Norway, three in Sweden, two in the Russian Federation and one in Finland.</p> </div> </div></div> </div></div></section><section class='block block_text bg-transparent'> <div class='container'><div class='bg-transparent depth-0'> <div class='textblock'><hr /> <h3><a href="/about/working-groups/">Working Groups and Expert Groups</a></h3> <p>The Council's activities are primarily conducted in six <a href="/about/working-groups/">Working Groups</a> and one standalone <a href="/about/task-expert/">Expert Group</a> that cover a broad field of subjects, from climate change to emergency response, from mental health to sustainable development.</p> <p>The Working Groups and <a href="/projects/expert-group-in-support-of-implementation-of-the-framework-for-action-on-black-carbon-and-methane-egbcm/">Expert Group on Black Carbon and Methane</a> (EGBCM) provide a broad and scientifically-sound knowledge-base upon which informed decisions can be taken. They also develop best practices and recommendations for safe and sustainable operations in the Arctic.</p></div> </div></div></section><section class='block block_list bg-transparent'> <div class='container'><div class='breakout'> <div class='container text-center'></div> <div class='listContainer container list-working-groups image_over_text horizontal'><div class='listItem'><a href='/about/working-groups/acap/'><img src='/site/assets/files/1099/acap-box_480.240x240.png' alt='' loading='lazy' title='' class='img-fluid'/></a><div class='list-text'> <div class='list-acronym'>ACAP</div> <a href='/about/working-groups/acap/'>Arctic Contaminants Action Program</a> <p class='list-summary'>ACAP’s mission is to contribute to the efforts to reduce environmental risks and prevent pollution of the Arctic environment. ACAP acts as a strengthening and supporting mechanism of the Arctic Council, encouraging national actions to reduce emissions and releases of pollutants and to reduce environmental, human health and socio-economic risks.</p> </div> </div><div class='listItem'><a href='/about/working-groups/amap/'><img src='/site/assets/files/1135/amap-sq.240x240.png' alt='' loading='lazy' title='' class='img-fluid'/></a><div class='list-text'> <div class='list-acronym'>AMAP</div> <a href='/about/working-groups/amap/'>Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme</a> <p class='list-summary'>The mission of the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme Working Group (AMAP) is to monitor and assess pollution and climate change issues in the Arctic. AMAP produces independent, science-based and peer-reviewed assessments of the status of pollution and climate change in the Arctic in order to provide the basis for sound policy- and decision-making.</p> </div> </div><div class='listItem'><a href='/about/working-groups/caff/'><img src='/site/assets/files/1137/caff-sq.240x240.png' alt='' loading='lazy' title='' class='img-fluid'/></a><div class='list-text'> <div class='list-acronym'>CAFF</div> <a href='/about/working-groups/caff/'>Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna</a> <p class='list-summary'>CAFF is the biodiversity working group of the Arctic Council and consists of National Representatives assigned by each of the eight Arctic Council Member States, representatives of Indigenous Peoples' organizations that are Permanent Participants to the Council, and Arctic Council observer countries and organizations. The CAFF Working Group operates by the Arctic Council Rules of Procedures.</p> </div> </div><div class='listItem'><a href='/about/working-groups/eppr/'><img src='/site/assets/files/1139/eppr_logoonly-1.240x240.png' alt='' loading='lazy' title='' class='img-fluid'/></a><div class='list-text'> <div class='list-acronym'>EPPR</div> <a href='/about/working-groups/eppr/'>Emergency Prevention, Preparedness and Response</a> <p class='list-summary'>The Emergency Prevention, Preparedness and Response (EPPR) Working Group is mandated to contribute to the prevention, preparedness and response to environmental and other emergencies, accidents and search and rescue (SAR). While not an operational response organization, EPPR conducts projects to address gaps, prepare strategies, share information, collect data, and collaborate with relevant partners on capabilities and research needs that exist in the Arctic.</p> </div> </div><div class='listItem'><a href='/about/working-groups/pame/'><img src='/site/assets/files/1141/pame-sq-1.240x240.png' alt='PAME' loading='lazy' title='PAME' class='img-fluid'/></a><div class='list-text'> <div class='list-acronym'>PAME</div> <a href='/about/working-groups/pame/'>Protection of the Arctic Marine Environment</a> <p class='list-summary'>The PAME Working Group is the focal point of the Arctic Council’s activities related to the protection and sustainable use of the Arctic marine environment.</p> </div> </div><div class='listItem'><a href='/about/working-groups/sdwg/'><img src='/site/assets/files/1143/sdwg-notext.240x240.png' alt='SDWG logo' loading='lazy' title='SDWG logo' class='img-fluid'/></a><div class='list-text'> <div class='list-acronym'>SDWG</div> <a href='/about/working-groups/sdwg/'>Sustainable Development Working Group</a> <p class='list-summary'>The Sustainable Development Working Group (SDWG) focuses on the human dimensions of the Arctic. It works to protect and enhance the environment, economy, social conditions and health of Indigenous peoples and Arctic inhabitants.</p> </div> </div></div> </div></div></section><section class='block block_text bg-transparent'> <div class='container'><div class='bg-transparent depth-0'> <div class='textblock'><hr /> <h3><a href="/about/observers/">Observers</a></h3> <p>Observer status in the Arctic Council is open to non-Arctic states, along with inter-governmental, inter-parliamentary, global, regional and non-governmental organizations that the Council determines can contribute to its work. Arctic Council Observers primarily contribute through their engagement at the level of Working Groups.</p></div> </div></div></section><section class='block block_text bg-transparent'> <div class='container'> <div class='row justify-content-center'><div class='col-md'><div class='bg-transparent depth-1'> <div class='textblock'><h2>What does the Arctic Council do?</h2> <p>The Council’s <a href="https://oaarchive.arctic-council.org/handle/11374/2601"><em>Strategic Plan 2021-2030</em></a> guides its work towards the Arctic as a “region of peace, stability and constructive cooperation, that is a vibrant, prosperous, sustainable and secure home for all its inhabitants, including Indigenous Peoples, and where their rights and wellbeing are respected.”</p> <h3>How and when was the Arctic Council established?</h3> <p>The Arctic Council was established on 19 September 1996 when the governments of Canada, the Kingdom of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, the Russian Federation, Sweden, and the United States signed the <a href="https://oaarchive.arctic-council.org/handle/11374/85" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ottawa Declaration</a>. The establishment of the Arctic Council was preceded by the Arctic Environmental Protection Strategy (June 1991), a declaration on the protection of the Arctic environment.</p> <h3>What are some Arctic Council accomplishments?</h3> <p>The Arctic Council regularly produces comprehensive, cutting-edge environmental, ecological and social assessments through its <a href="/about/working-groups/">Working Groups</a>.</p> <p>The Council has also provided a forum for the negotiation of three important legally binding agreements among the eight <a href="/about/states/">Arctic States</a>:</p> <ol> <li><a href="http://hdl.handle.net/11374/531" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Agreement on Cooperation on Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue in the Arctic</a> (2011)</li> <li><a href="http://hdl.handle.net/11374/529" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Agreement on Cooperation on Marine Oil Pollution Preparedness and Response in the Arctic</a> (2013)</li> <li><a href="https://oaarchive.arctic-council.org/handle/11374/1916" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Agreement on Enhancing International Arctic Scientific Cooperation</a> (2017)</li> </ol> <h3>Who chairs the Arctic Council?</h3> <p>The Chairmanship of the Arctic Council rotates every two years among the Arctic States. The first country to chair the Arctic Council was <a href="/about/states/canada/">Canada </a>(1996-1998), followed by the <a href="/about/states/the-united-states/">United States</a>, <a href="/about/states/finland/">Finland</a>, <a href="/about/states/iceland/">Iceland</a>, <a href="/about/states/russian-federation/">the Russian Federation</a>, <a href="/about/states/norway/">Norway</a>, the <a href="/about/states/denmark/">Kingdom of Denmark</a>, and <a href="/about/states/sweden/">Sweden</a>. The second cycle of Chairmanships began in 2013.</p> <p><a href="/about/previous-chairmanships/">See all Chairmanships.</a></p> <h3>What is a Senior Arctic Official (SAO)?</h3> <p>Each Arctic State appoints a Senior Arctic Official (SAO) to manage its interests in the Arctic Council. Each SAO is thus a government representative, usually from an Arctic State's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The SAOs guide and monitor the Arctic Council's activities in accordance with the decisions and instructions of the Foreign Ministers of the Arctic States. That guidance is usually provided in the form of Ministerial Declarations, which are produced roughly every two years when the Chairmanship of the Arctic Council rotates.</p> <h3>When and where does the Arctic Council meet?</h3> <p>SAOs and Permanent Participants meet at least twice a year, while all partners meet at Ministerial Meetings held every two years. These meetings are typically held in the Arctic State that holds the Chairmanship at the time of the meeting. Working Groups and Task Forces hold additional meetings in other locations and at other times.</p> <h3>What is the role of the Arctic Council Secretariat (ACS)?</h3> <p>The <a href="/about/secretariat/">Arctic Council Secretariat</a> is an administrative office that works under the direction of the Senior Arctic Officials and the Arctic Council Chairmanship. Any <a href="/about/jobs/">available vacancies</a> at the Arctic Council Secretariat are posted on the Arctic Council website.</p> <h3>What doesn’t the Arctic Council do?</h3> <p>The Arctic Council is a forum; it has no programming budget. All projects or initiatives are sponsored by one or more Arctic States. Some projects also receive support from other entities.</p> <p>The Arctic Council does not and cannot implement or enforce its guidelines, assessments or recommendations. That responsibility belongs to individual Arctic States or international bodies.</p> <p>The Arctic Council’s mandate, as articulated in the Ottawa Declaration, explicitly excludes military security.</p></div> </div></div> <script> var options = { valueNames: [ 'acronym', 'full' ] }; var projectList = new List('acronymList', options); </script> </main> <footer class="bg-dark"> <section class='block block_social bg-transparent'> <div class='container'><div class='bg-transparent'><h3>Follow the Arctic Council</h3><div class='social'><div class='text-center d-inline-block'> <div class=' mb-3'> <a href='http://twitter.com/arcticcouncil'> <i aria-hidden='true' class='bi bi-twitter h3' title='twitter'></i> <span class='mr-4'>twitter<span> </a> </div></div><div class='text-center d-inline-block'> <div class=' mb-3'> <a href='http://facebook.com/arcticcouncil'> <i aria-hidden='true' class='bi bi-facebook h3' title='facebook'></i> <span class='mr-4'>facebook<span> </a> </div></div><div class='text-center d-inline-block'> <div class=' mb-3'> <a href='http://instagram.com/arcticcouncil'> <i aria-hidden='true' class='bi bi-instagram h3' title='instagram'></i> <span class='mr-4'>instagram<span> </a> </div></div><div class='text-center d-inline-block'> <div class=' mb-3'> <a href='http://vimeo.com/arcticcouncil'> <i aria-hidden='true' class='bi bi-vimeo h3' title='vimeo'></i> <span class='mr-4'>vimeo<span> </a> </div></div><div class='text-center d-inline-block'> <div class=' mb-3'> <a href='http://youtube.com/@TheArcticCouncil'> <i aria-hidden='true' class='bi bi-youtube h3' title='youtube'></i> <span class='mr-4'>youtube<span> </a> </div></div><div class='text-center d-inline-block'> <div class=' mb-3'> <a href='http://flickr.com/arctic_council'> <i aria-hidden='true' class='bi bi-flickr h3' title='flickr'></i> <span class='mr-4'>flickr<span> </a> </div></div> </div> </div></div></section><section class='block block_text bg-transparent'> <div class='container'> <div class='row justify-content-center'><div class='col-md-3'><div class='bg-transparent depth-2'> <div class='textblock'><h3>Contact us</h3> <p><strong>Arctic Council Secretariat</strong><br /> Fram Centre<br /> Postboks 6606 Stakkevollan<br /> 9296 Tromsø<br /> Norway<br /> <a href="mailto:acs@arctic-council.org">acs@arctic-council.org</a><br /> <a href="/contact/">Contact staff members</a></p></div> </div></div><div class='col-md'><h3 class='pt-3'>Get Arctic updates</h3> <form action="https://arctic-council.us11.list-manage.com/subscribe/post?u=274ca09fc8d82dc42a5dfad22&id=155caa8912" method="post" id="mc-embedded-subscribe-form" name="mc-embedded-subscribe-form" class="validate form-inline" target="_blank" novalidate> <div id="mc_embed_signup_scroll" class="form-row pb-3"> <div class="col-md-8"> <label for "EMAIL" class="d-none">Email address</label> <input type="email" value="" name="EMAIL" class="email form-control w-100" id="mce-EMAIL" placeholder="email address" required> <div style="position: absolute; left: -5000px;" aria-hidden="true"><input type="text" name="b_274ca09fc8d82dc42a5dfad22_155caa8912" tabindex="-1" value=""></div> </div> <div class="col-md-4"> <input type="submit" value="Subscribe" name="subscribe" id="mc-embedded-subscribe" class="btn btn-primary" onclick="ga('send','event','button','click','newsletter-subscribe');"></div> </div> </form> <p>Subscribe to our newsletter for Arctic news, views and interviews.</p?</div></div></div></section><section class='block block_break bg-transparent'> <div class='container'><div class='w-100'></div></div></section><section class='block block_text bg-transparent'> <div class='container'> <div class='row justify-content-center'><div class='col-md'><div class='bg-transparent depth-1'> <div class='textblock'><h5><a href="https://oaarchive.arctic-council.org/">Key documents</a></h5> <p><a href="http://hdl.handle.net/11374/1916">Agreement on Enhancing International Arctic Scientific Cooperation (2017)</a></p> <p><a href="http://hdl.handle.net/11374/529">Agreement on Cooperation on Marine Oil Pollution Preparedness and Response in the Arctic (2013)</a></p> <p><a href="http://hdl.handle.net/11374/531">Agreement on Cooperation on Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue in the Arctic (2011)</a></p> <p><a href="http://hdl.handle.net/11374/85">Ottawa Declaration (1996)</a></p></div> </div></div><div class='col-md'><div class='bg-transparent p-4 depth1'> <div class=''></div> <div class='listContainer list-about plain'><div class='listItem'><div class='list-text'> <a href='/about/states/'>Arctic States</a> <p class='list-summary'>The eight Arctic states are permanent members of the Arctic Council.</p> </div> </div><div class='listItem'><div class='list-text'> <a href='/about/permanent-participants/'>Permanent Participants</a> <p class='list-summary'>Out of a total of 4 million inhabitants of the Arctic, approximately 500,000 belong to Indigenous Peoples. Indigenous Peoples’ organizations have been granted Permanent Participants status in the Arctic Council.</p> </div> </div><div class='listItem'><div class='list-text'> <a href='/about/working-groups/'>Working Groups</a> <p class='list-summary'>The Council's activities are conducted in six Working Groups.</p> </div> </div><div class='listItem'><div class='list-text'> <a href='/about/task-expert/'>Task forces and expert groups</a> </div> </div><div class='listItem'><div class='list-text'> <a href='/about/observers/'>Observers</a> </div> </div><div class='listItem'><div class='list-text'> <a href='/about/secretariat/'>Arctic Council Secretariat</a> <p class='list-summary'>The Arctic Council Secretariat (ACS) supports the Chair of the Arctic Council.</p> </div> </div><div class='listItem'><div class='list-text'> <a href='/about/indigenous-peoples-secretariat/'>Indigenous Peoples' Secretariat</a> <p class='list-summary'>The Indigenous Peoples' Secretariat (IPS) provides support for the Permanent Participants, the groups representing Arctic Indigenous Peoples in the Arctic Council.</p> </div> </div><div class='listItem'><div class='list-text'> <a href='/about/norway-chair-2/'>Norway's Chairship, 2023-2025</a> <p class='list-summary'>Stability and constructive cooperation in the Arctic</p> </div> </div><div class='listItem'><div class='list-text'> <a href='/about/previous-chairmanships/'>All Chairmanships</a> <p class='list-summary'>All Arctic Council Chairmanships, meetings and documents.</p> </div> </div><div class='listItem'><div class='list-text'> <a href='/about/timeline/'>History</a> <p class='list-summary'>The Arctic Council turned 25 in 2021! Learn more with this timeline of our history.</p> </div> </div><div class='listItem'><div class='list-text'> <a href='/about/jobs/'>Jobs</a> </div> </div></div> </div></div><div class='col-md'><div class='bg-transparent p-4 depth1'> <div class=''></div> <div class='listContainer list-work plain'><div class='listItem'><div class='list-text'> <a href='/explore/work/cooperation/'>Agreements and cooperation</a> <p class='list-summary'>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.</p> </div> </div><div class='listItem'><div class='list-text'> <a href='/explore/work/arctic-knowledge/'>Data and knowledge</a> <p class='list-summary'>At any given time the Council’s subsidiary bodies – the Working and Expert Groups – are engaged in close to 100 projects and initiatives.</p> </div> </div><div class='listItem'><div class='list-text'> <a href='/explore/work/monitoring/'>Monitoring</a> <p class='list-summary'>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.</p> </div> </div><div class='listItem'><div class='list-text'> <a href='/explore/work/assessments/'>Assessments</a> <p class='list-summary'>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.</p> </div> </div><div class='listItem'><div class='list-text'> <a href='/explore/work/policy-recommendations/'>Recommendations</a> <p class='list-summary'>The strong knowledge base produced by the Arctic Council’s Working Groups and other subsidiary bodies feeds into recommendations for informed decision-making.</p> </div> </div></div> </div></div><div class='col-md'><div class='bg-transparent p-4 depth1'> <div class=''></div> <div class='listContainer list-topics plain'><div class='listItem'><div class='list-text'> <a href='/explore/topics/arctic-peoples/'>Arctic Peoples</a> <p class='list-summary'>The Arctic is home to almost four million people today – Indigenous people, more recent arrivals, hunters and herders living on the land, and city dwellers.</p> </div> </div><div class='listItem'><div class='list-text'> <a href='/explore/topics/biodiversity/'>Biodiversity</a> <p class='list-summary'>The Arctic is home to more than 21,000 known species of highly cold-adapted mammals, birds, fish, invertebrates, plants and fungi and microbes.</p> </div> </div><div class='listItem'><div class='list-text'> <a href='/explore/topics/climate/'>Climate</a> <p class='list-summary'>The temperatures in the Arctic continue to rise at three times the global annual average.</p> </div> </div><div class='listItem'><div class='list-text'> <a href='/explore/topics/ocean/'>Ocean</a> <p class='list-summary'>The Arctic States hold a responsibility to safeguard the future development of the region and to develop models for stewardship of the marine environment.</p> </div> </div><div class='listItem'><div class='list-text'> <a href='/explore/topics/pollutants/'>Pollutants</a> <p class='list-summary'>The Arctic environment carries the traces of human-induced pollution – from soot to plastics, from methane to pesticides.</p> </div> </div><div class='listItem'><div class='list-text'> <a href='/explore/topics/emergency/'>Emergencies</a> <p class='list-summary'>Harsh conditions and limited infrastructure in much of the Arctic increase risks and impacts and hinder response activities.</p> </div> </div></div> </div></div></div></div></section><section class='block block_code bg-transparent'> <div class='container'><div class="text-center"> <small> © <script type="text/javascript">document.write(new Date().getFullYear());</script> Arctic Council Secretariat | <a href="/privacy-policy/">Privacy policy and disclaimers</a> </small> </div></div></section> </footer>  <div class="bg-secondary p-3 cookie-banner" style="display: none"> We use cookies to save your language preference and better understand how visitors use the site. 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