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class='breadcrumbs mb-2'><small><span class='breadcrumb-item'><a href='/about/'>Organization</a></span></small></nav><h1>Working Groups</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 Council's activities are conducted in six Working Groups. It is the responsibility of the Working Groups to execute the programs and projects mandated by the Arctic Council Ministers. These mandates are stated in the Ministerial Declarations, the official documents that result from Ministerial Meetings.</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_quote bg-transparent'> <div class='container'><blockquote> <span>Principle of Consensus: All decisions of the Arctic Council and its subsidiary bodies are by consensus of the eight Arctic Member States.</span> </blockquote></div></section><section class='block block_text bg-transparent'> <div class='container'><div class='bg-transparent depth-0'> <div class='textblock'><p>The work of Working Groups covers a broad field of subjects, from climate change to emergency response.</p> <h4>Each Working Group has a:</h4> <ul> <li>Mandate</li> <li>Chair</li> <li>Management Board or Steering Committee</li> <li>Secretariat which provides support</li> </ul> <h4>Working Group Management Boards are typically comprised of:</h4> <ul> <li>representatives of national governmental agencies of the Arctic Council Member States, connected to the mandates of the Working Groups</li> <li>representatives of the Permanent Participants</li> </ul> <p>Observer States and Observer Organizations are likely to attend Working Group meetings and participate in specific projects. In addition, Working Groups regularly have invited guests or experts attending their meetings.</p></div> </div></div></section> <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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