The Arctic Council: The Arctic 7 Resume Limited Work Without Russia
As Arctic Ambassador, Morten Høglund represents Norway in connection with the Arctic Council. In 2023, Norway will take over the presidency. (Photo: Hogne Bø Pettersen / High North Center)
On Wednesday, seven of the Arctic Council's eight member states issued a joint statement on the limited resumption of Arctic Council cooperation.
“We intend to implement a limited resumption of our work in the Arctic Council, in projects that do not involve the participation of the Russian Federation”, the Arctic Council – without Russia - says in a joint statement.
On Wednesday, seven of the Arctic Council's eight member states issued a joint statement on the limited resumption of Arctic Council cooperation.
On March 3, seven of the Arctic Council's eight member states -- Canada, Finland, Iceland, the Kingdom of Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and the United States -- announced a pause in their participation in the Arctic Council in response to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Limited resumption
Since March 3, representatives from these states have examined modalities to allow a resumption of the work in the Arctic Council.
“We remain convinced of the enduring value of the Arctic Council for circumpolar cooperation and reiterate our support for this forum and its important work”, the statement says.
The Council announces that the seven states intend to implement a limited resumption of their work in the Arctic Council, in projects that do not involve the participation of the Russian Federation.
“There is a strong desire to get as much of the Council's work going again as soon as possible.
“These projects, contained in the workplan approved by all eight Arctic States at the Reykjavik ministerial, are a vital component of our responsibility to the people of the Arctic, including Indigenous Peoples”, the Council says.
Existing projects
“Does this have any significance for Norway's taking over the chairmanship?”
“No, it is currently only opened up for project work. These are projects that have already been started and supported by all eight states, and that were paused as a result of the invasion”, says Norway's Arctic Ambassador SAO Morten Høglund to HNN.
The statement says that the Council will continue to examine additional modalities to allow them to further continue the Council’s work.
“Does that mean that more areas may be expanded?”
“There is a strong desire in the Council to get as much of the Council's work going again as soon as possible. Then we will see how far we get, because it is still not possible to have a relationship with or normal cooperation with Russia”, Høglund concludes.
