Established in 1996, the Arctic Council is an intergovernmental forum meant to promote collaboration among the Arctic States and Native inhabitants of the territory. The group aims to push the region towards sustainable development as the Arctic clashes with the modern issue of climate change.
Member States
Canada The United States of America Russian Federation Sweden Norway Kingdom of Denmark Finland Iceland |
Permanent Participants
Aleut International Association Arctic Athabaskan Council Gwich’in Council International Inuit Circumpolar Council Russian Association of Indigenous Peoples of the North The Saami Council |
Along with the involved member states and permanent participants from Native populations, there is the option for other states and organizations to become permanent observers. The most notable state to become a permanent observer was China, who three years ago ungraded themselves in a move many believed to be extremely political. As a permanent observer, China is be able position itself closely to decision-making and secure access to sought after shipping lines.
It is the position of both China and the United States that, like Antarctica, the Arctic region should become a global commons, open to transport and exploration from all states rather than being sliced up by the rules of the UN Convention of Law of the Sea.
Another notable observing organization is the Circumpolar Conservation Union, of which the Ocean Conservancy is a part. The groups aim to promote an environmentally-conscious mindset in the region, hoping management will help the extremely sensitive environment.
Nevertheless, the Arctic Council is only a forum, not a governing body with actual power over the region. While the group was important to coordinate the states together for greater collaboration, the Ocean Conservancy fears that "there is no coordinated management scheme for the Arctic Ocean." Tensions between states, namely the US and Russia, along with that lack of power combine to make it so that what treaties have been created have not concerned any outstanding changes in the region beyond coordinating response to possible disaster.
It is the position of both China and the United States that, like Antarctica, the Arctic region should become a global commons, open to transport and exploration from all states rather than being sliced up by the rules of the UN Convention of Law of the Sea.
Another notable observing organization is the Circumpolar Conservation Union, of which the Ocean Conservancy is a part. The groups aim to promote an environmentally-conscious mindset in the region, hoping management will help the extremely sensitive environment.
Nevertheless, the Arctic Council is only a forum, not a governing body with actual power over the region. While the group was important to coordinate the states together for greater collaboration, the Ocean Conservancy fears that "there is no coordinated management scheme for the Arctic Ocean." Tensions between states, namely the US and Russia, along with that lack of power combine to make it so that what treaties have been created have not concerned any outstanding changes in the region beyond coordinating response to possible disaster.