Pan Arctic Forum

The Diplomat published an article titled, “How Asian Countries Are Making Their Way Into the Arctic.” The article reads in part as follows;

“On September 28, 2016 Russia’s Far Eastern Federal University and the Harbin Institute of Technology in China announced the launch of the Russian-Chinese Polar Engineering and Research Center. The new center will “engage in studies intended to promote industrial development of the Arctic,” including development of ice-resistant platforms and frost-resistant concrete for use in polar regions, as well as studying the effects of ice loads on ships and reliability of various engineering structures on ice.

They’re calling it “mega,” “massive,” “major.” A new oil discovery in shallow waters off Alaska’s North Slope could contain 6 billion barrels of crude oil – singlehandedly increasing Alaska’s oil reserves by 80 percent and potentially producing 200,000 barrels per day.

The lesson is simple: When you’re allowed to explore for energy, historic oil and natural gas discoveries can follow. But there’s a caveat. Given the long lead time for development – which, in this case, requires construction of a new pipeline segment — it could be some years before we reap the benefits.

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The World Policy blog posted an article titled, “Impressions from Canada’s Senior Arctic Official.” The article reads in part as follows;

“Even though I am new to the role as Canada’s Senior Arctic Official (SAO), I have a history with the Arctic from within our foreign ministry, and I am delighted to be back. From 1993-95, I worked as a desk officer on the International Arctic and Forest issues file. That work related to the Arctic Environment Protection Strategy, and since the governance and structure of the AEPS were folded into the Arctic Council, much of the language is familiar to me. Also familiar from those days is the remarkable spirit of collaboration that still thrives in the Arctic Council. What follows are a few of my strongest impressions from my first six weeks on the job, from the Arctic Council and Arctic Circle Assembly to working with Canada’s northern communities.

JD Supra published an article titled, “Russia Moves on the Regulation of its Arctic Continental Shelf Resources.” The article reads in part as follows;

“In the course of the meeting held in September 2016 between President Putin and the Russian government, Mr Sergey Donskoy, the Minister for Natural Resources and the Environment, announced that it had been decided to impose a temporary moratorium on the issue of new appraisal, exploration and development licences in the area of the Arctic continental shelf. No timing has been attributed to the length of this moratorium but it would usually be expected that a significant revision of the regulatory regime and the licensing process to follow could take at least a year.

Daily Sabah released an article titled, “Russia, West to cooperate in Arctic despite conflicts in Syria, Ukraine.” The article reads in part as follows;

“Despite tensions over conflicts in Syria and Ukraine, Russia and the West have maintained a strong working relationship in the Arctic and Canada’s new Liberal government is looking to further bolster that cooperation.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has continued to press Moscow over its annexation of Crimea and its support for the Bashar Assad’s regime in a long-running civil war. But his Liberals have softened the previous Canadian administration’s isolationist policy enough to allow for talks with Russia on other matters, such as the North Pole. A joint conference in Ottawa has been scheduled for Nov. 24.

The Maritime Executive published an article titled, “The Arctic Council Should Expand its Role.” The article reads in part as follows;

“Founded in 1996 as a regional forum and tool to coordinate scientific research by nations within the Arctic Circle, the Arctic Council has grown in prominence over the past six years as global temperatures have risen. The Council is looked to as a means for facilitating research of the Arctic’s changing climate, and could potentially become the forum for resolving disputes in the high north. Unfortunately, the Council’s focus is narrowly defined to scientific diplomacy and promoting unity in scientific endeavors to enhance trust between its member states. In addition, the council may only make recommendations and is not a legal body. With the Arctic predicted to have the lowest amount of sea ice on record and grim predictions for the future, it becomes important to understand the Arctic Council and the impact its focus on scientific diplomacy will have on the Arctic in two key areas: military development and trade route controls.”

Sputnik posted an article titled, “US-Russia Work in Arctic Council Unaffected by Increased Tensions – Envoy.” The article reads in part as follows;

“Cooperation between the United States and Russia within the framework of the Arctic Council has remained unaffected by the heightened tensions between the two countries, US Special Representative for the Arctic Adm. Robert Papp told Sputnik.

“In spite of the increased tensions and that the fact that we feel very strongly about the aggression that is taking place in Ukraine, our business within the Arctic Council has gone on with the sense of cooperation,” Papp stated on Tuesday. “I am very happy with the way Russia has cooperated in our Arctic Council business, and I am confident that will continue.”

EurActiv published an article titled, “Canada looks to cooperate with Russia in the Arctic.” The article reads in part as follows;

“Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has continued to press Moscow over its annexation of Crimea and its support for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime in a long-running civil war.

But his Liberals have softened the previous Canadian administration’s isolationist policy enough to allow for talks with Russia on other matters, such as the far north – despite Kyiv’s objections.

A joint conference in Ottawa has been scheduled for 24 November.

Canada and Russia control three quarters of the Arctic.

The Maritime Executive posted an article titled, “Arctic Indigenous Groups Ask for a Voice at IMO.” The article reads in part as follows;

“Leaders of Arctic indigenous tribes from Canada, Russia and Alaska will address the IMO next week during the meeting of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 70) in order to highlight their concerns and to call for a formal role at the UN regulatory body.

“Ultimately all of us would want permanent status . . . for Arctic Indigenous communities at the IMO, so they can be party to decisions that are affecting their livelihoods and their food security,” said WWF Canada shipping specialist Andrew Dumbrille, speaking to Radio Canada.

Splash 24/7 posted an article titled, “Battle lines drawn for fiery MEPC 70 gathering.” The article reads in part as follows;

“The battle lines have been drawn for what is expected to be a fierce fight at next week’s 70th meeting of the International Maritime Organization’s Marine Environmental Protection Committee (MEPC).

A coalition of shipowners and operators, logistics businesses, suppliers to the maritime industry, industry associations, and NGOs have come out calling for a “clear, ambitious long-term objective” for shipping emissions to be set at MEPC 70