Pan Arctic Forum

Northerners deserve a real discussion and real policy

By John Bennett

Troy Media

The Prime Minister is on his annual whirlwind tour of the Arctic. These trips show the flag, demonstrate his commitment to developing the North and usually evoke comments about long overdue promises for ice breaking patrol boats and the ancient rifles wielded by the Arctic Rangers.

There will be plenty of photo-ops and few real questions asked. It unfortunate, because there are so many important things Canadians would like to know about the future of the North.

By Yereth Rosen

Alaska Dispatch News

For former U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Robert Papp, newly appointed as the government’s top Arctic envoy, leading American circumpolar policy is somewhat akin to sailing in volatile conditions.

“One thing I learned as a sailor: You play the hand of cards that you’re dealt,” Papp said in an interview on Monday. Papp was appointed a month ago by Secretary of State John Kerry as the U.S. special representative for the Arctic.

Just as he navigated at sea in weather that was out of his control, Papp must now work around geopolitical storms as he prepares for the United States to assume chairmanship next year of the eight-nation Arctic Council.

By Yereth Rosen

Alaska Dispatch News

The newly appointed U.S. special Arctic representative, former Coast Guard Commandant Robert Papp, has issued a call for ideas about policies that should be promoted at the Arctic Council once the United States assumes chairmanship of that eight-nation body next year.

A major goal for him, as he prepares for the two-year U.S. chairmanship, is convincing the American public that the Arctic is important to the nation, Papp said at a listening session Thursday in Anchorage.

“What’s that striking passionate issue, that national imperative, that’s going to stimulate the American public?” he asked the audience gathered at the NANA Corp. headquarters downtown.

By Rep. Bob Herron and Sen. Lesil McGuire

The Arctic Sounder

The Alaska Arctic Policy Commission (AAPC) was formed nearly two years ago by the Legislature to create and help implement strategies to benefit all Alaskans as melting sea ice opens up new economic opportunities while creating many urgent challenges. We call this new Arctic paradigm the “emerging Arctic.”

The “emerging Arctic” presents both opportunities and risks and the AAPC is challenged with finding a balance for all Alaskans. The Commission is concerned with the future of the entire state, but also realizes any Arctic policy will have an immediate effect on the people living in the Arctic. Sustainable communities have been at the forefront of all of the AAPC’s work. With that in mind, the Commission established four vision statements to guide development of an Arctic Policy:

By Jennifer A. Dlouhy – Houston Chronicle

PowerSource

WASHINGTON — The United States may use its role heading the Arctic Council to push for standards governing oil drilling and development throughout the region, the Obama administration’s top Arctic envoy said Tuesday.

Retired Adm. Robert Papp Jr., who became the first U.S. special representative for the Arctic in July, said forthcoming Interior Department regulations governing Arctic drilling could be a model for other nations seeking to tap the region’s potential oil and gas riches.