Pan Arctic Forum

The White House press office published a press released titled, “Fact Sheet: United States Hosts First-Ever Arctic Science Ministerial to Advance International Research Efforts.” It reads in part as follows;

“The Arctic environment is changing at an unprecedented pace, posing threats to livelihoods and ecosystems. One year after President Obama’s visit to Alaska, and building on his unwavering commitment to advance understanding of changes occurring in the Arctic and their global consequences, today the White House hosted the first-ever Arctic Science Ministerial (ASM).

Arctic Deeply posted an article titled, “Top Arctic Science Officials to Meet at White House.” The article reads in part as follows;

“The White House is hosting its first-ever Arctic science ministerial meeting on September 28, a gathering that will draw science ministers, science advisors and high-level diplomats from 25 Arctic and non-Arctic countries, as well as Arctic Indigenous peoples, to talk through near-term science priorities and create conditions to promote long-term international cooperation on Arctic research.

“The Arctic is changing rapidly and we need to address the changes that have implications for the entire world,” said Mark Brzezinski, the executive director of the U.S. Arctic Executive Steering Committee.

Radio Canada International published an article titled, “The Arctic Council at 20- View from Finland.” The article reads in part as follows;

“The international forum has Canadian roots and was established on September 19, 1996 when the world’s circumpolar nations signed the Ottawa Declaration, outlining the new forum’s focus: sustainable development and environmental protection.

To mark the anniversary, Eye on the Arctic is bringing you a series of interviews this month with northern experts from around the globe.  We’re getting their perspectives on the Arctic Council’s successes, stumbles and the challenges ahead.

Today, we bring you our conversation with Timo Koivurova, director of the Arctic Centre at theUniversity of Lapland in Finland.

The Arctic Deeply published a Q&A article titled, “Climate and Development Head the Arctic Council’s Agenda.” The article reads in part as follows;

“On September 19, 1996, eight days after the Arctic sea ice retreated to its lowest summertime level that year at 7.19 million square km (2.78 million square miles), representatives of the Arctic states signed the Ottawa Declaration that established the Arctic Council. This high-level intergovernmental forum – a rejuvenation of the Arctic Environmental Protection Strategy created in 1989 – gave the eight states and their Indigenous peoples a place to address the issues of sustainable development and environmental protection in the region.

Letter to the Editor, The Hill

By Erik Milito, Director of Upstream, American Petroleum Institute 

Maintaining Arctic exploration options in the Obama administration’s next five-year leasing plan is critical for America’s future energy security. Alaska’s Beaufort and Chukchi seas are estimated to contain more oil and natural gas than the Atlantic and Pacific coasts combined, and the majority of the U.S. Arctic potential is located in relatively shallow water depths of less than 100 meters. Given the long lead time required to develop offshore projects, taking Arctic production opportunities off the table could delay pursuit of this potential for at least a decade (“President Obama should remove Arctic Ocean from offshore oil lease program,” Sept. 2, The Hill’s Congress Blog).

The Arctic Journal published the following press release titled, “The Arctic Council: A Forum for Peace and Cooperation.” The article reads in part as follows;

“On September 19, 1996 in Ottawa, the Arctic Council was established as a high level intergovernmental forum to enhance cooperation, coordination and interaction among the Arctic States with the active involvement of Arctic indigenous peoples and other Arctic inhabitants on common Arctic issues.  Today, we celebrate twenty years of Arctic cooperation and look forward to a long term future of peace and stability in the region.

The Maritime Executive published the following article titled, “Arctic Council Turns 20.” The article reads in part as follows;

“The Arctic Council turned 20 on Monday. It was established on September 19, 1996, with the signing of the Ottawa Declaration.

The Declaration gives the Arctic Council a broad mandate to address issues of relevance to the Arctic Region and its peoples. During its first 20 years, the Arctic Council focused much of its work on issues of sustainable development and environmental protection in the Arctic.

The Arctic Sounder published an article titled, “Safe and reliable water the focus of upcoming conference.” The article reads as follows;

“Over the weekend, a group of engineers, health experts, researchers, and innovators will be gathering in Anchorage for the Conference on Water Innovations for Healthy Arctic Homes.

From Sept. 18-21, the group will focus on “addressing the challenges of providing safe and affordable access to household running water and sanitation in remote Arctic and sub-Arctic communities,” according to the event website.

The conference is one of the official events being held during the U.S. Chairmanship of the Arctic Council. It is an endorsed project of the Arctic Council Sustainable Development Working Group.

The Free Press released an article titled, “King’s Lessons From the High North.” It reads in part as follows,

“Senator Angus King visited Greenland at the end of August on a research trip that he said was more valuable than reading a year’s worth of research reports about rising sea levels and a warming climate.

He said a visit with climate experts to the massive Jacobshavn Glacier made it clear that rising sea levels are measurable and a pressing concern for U.S. coastal areas subject to storm surges.

Global Trade published the following article titled, “Congress Receives Report on Arctic Issues.” The article reads in part as follows,

“The Congressional Research Service, a bipartisan and well regarded agency that briefs the U.S. Congress on current issues has weighed in on the diminution of Arctic sea ice and the increase in human activities in the region, including trade and transportation.

Alaska makes the United States an Arctic country and therefore has substantial interests in the region. In January 2015, President Obama issued an executive order for enhancing coordination of national efforts in the Arctic. The United States assumed the chairmanship of the Arctic Council in April 2015 and will serve in that capacity for two years.