Pan Arctic Forum

Sputnik International published an article titled, “Russia Looks Forward to Working Closely With Arctic Economic Council.” The article reads in part as follows;

“At the last annual meeting, held on 9 May 2017, the Arctic Economic Council elected Tero Vauraste, President and CEO of the Finnish state-owned icebreaker company Arctia, as its Chairman.

‘Russia is looking forward to close and productive work with the Arctic Economic Council chaired by Finland’, Ambrosov said.

‘The head of this large shipping company has been elected to Chair the Council, and we hope that the Council will achieve great results in the development of Arctic shipping and enhancing the regulatory framework’, Ambrosov noted.

Normangee Star posted an article titled, “Freeland praises Tillerson’s work on Arctic Council climate change statement.” The article reads in part as follows;

“‘After the Ministerial Meeting, its participants will adopt a declaration in which all Arctic states will be expected to reaffirm their commitment to peace, stability and cooperation in the Arctic’. High-level officials from the world’s eight Arctic n. The Trump administration is in turmoil over whether to fulfill the president’s campaign pledge to pull out of a historic worldwide agreement to address climate change, and has postponed a decision at least until late this month.

KUAC published an article titled, “Arctic Mayors Group Convenes First Meeting, Issues ‘Pan-Arctic Cooperation’ Declaration.” The article reads as follows;

“While top diplomats from eight circumpolar nations gathered in Fairbanks last week for national-level meetings related to the biennial Arctic Council ministerial, 11 local-government officials from around the region got together on the other side of town  to share ideas on how they all can better serve their communities.

‘We want to make sure that we can unify as a voice that can be heard more in the national and international discussions about the Arctic’, says Christin Kristofferson, former mayor of the Norwegian community of Longyearbyen. She served as a moderator and facilitator of the Arctic Mayors Roundtable meeting held May 11th at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

The Detroit News posted an article titled, “Arctic Council to meet amid drilling concerns.” The article reads in part as follows;

“High-level officials from the world’s eight Arctic nations will meet in Alaska amid concerns about the future of the sensitive region after President Donald Trump called for more oil drilling and development.

Among those expected to attend the meeting of the Arctic Council beginning Thursday in Fairbanks are U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who met Wednesday with Trump and Tillerson in Washington.

Russian News Agency posted an article titled, “Syria to dominate talks between Russian, US top diplomats in Washington.” The article reads as follows;

“Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will hold talks with US State Secretary Rex Tillerson in Washington on Wednesday, with focus on the Syria crisis, topical international and bilateral issues. Lavrov has arrived in the United States on a three-day working visit.

‘The talks with US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson are scheduled for May 10 in Washington. At the talks, (the top diplomats) will exchange views on topical international issues and pressing issues of bilateral relations’, the ministry said.

The Arctic Institute posted an article titled, “Arctic Diplomacy – Daily engagement in support of our Shared North.” The article reads in part as follows;

“When thinking of Arctic diplomacy, one is drawn to the significant work of the Arctic Council.  One may also think of the United Nations system and the important work being done under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea to settle claims related to the continental shelf.  What is often forgotten in the mix of Arctic politics and diplomacy is the central role of bilateral relations in advancing cooperation and understanding between nations and people in the High North. In my view, Arctic diplomacy is about connections and people.

The Huffington Post published an article titled, “The Arctic – an Increasingly Hot Topic.” The article reads in part as follows;

“What comes to mind when you think of the Arctic? A cold and remote place, largely void of life and opportunities?

Arctic Deeply posted an article titled, “Why Russia’s Indigenous People Are Wary of National Parks.” The article reads in part as follows;

“Russia’s Numto Nature reserve in western Siberia contains a sacred lake, endangered cranes and valuable wetlands for the Nenet and Khanty peoples. The area was also the site of an Indigenous rebellion against the Soviet state during the 1930s, in protest at forced collectivization and the persecution of traditional leaders. Last year, the nature reserve’s borders were redrawn by the regional government to make way for new drilling operations for the oil company Surgutneftegas, forcing out Indigenous groups once again. In protest, reindeer herders recently built a traditional tent in the heart of Moscow.

The Arctic Journal published a press release titled, “Arctic Economic Council Invites World Ocean Council Input on Sustainable Development.” It reads in part as follows;

“The AEC Annual Meeting convenes all the business representatives from the 8 Arctic States and 6 indigenous organizations. At this 3rd AEC Annual Meeting, for the first time non-voting members and several outside presentations were invited.

VOANews published an article titled, “US Vows Commitment to Arctic Climate Change Research.” The article reads in part as follows;

“The United States will participate in advancing climate change research in the Arctic, a State Department official said on Monday, ahead of a summit of Arctic nations later this week where Washington’s commitment to tackling climate change will likely be questioned.

The administration of President Donald Trump, who has taking steps to bolster the U.S. oil and coal industries, is reviewing former President Barack Obama’s plans to curb climate change.