Op-ed: Arctic Economic Council and Arctic Mayors’ Forum Welcomes the New Chairship Programme From the Kingdom of Denmark
Kenneth Høegh, incoming Chair of the Arctic Council’s Senior Arctic Officials, during the Chairship presentation event in Nuuk, Greenland. (Photo: Jessica Cook / Arctic Council Secretariat)
This is an opinion piece written by an external contributor. All views expressed are the writer's own.
We commend the Kingdom of Denmark Arctic Council Chairship for highlighting the “human dimension” of the Arctic, especially as geopolitical tensions and climate change intensify in the region.
As the voice of the Arctic’s private sector, and principal organisation uniting municipalities across the high north, the Arctic Economic Council (AEC) and Arctic Mayor’s Forum (AMF), respectively welcome the alignment in strategic priorities.
The five thematic priorities the Kingdom of Denmark have decided upon for their chairship align well with the founding missions and current projects of both the AEC and AMF.
Indigenous Peoples and Communities of the Arctic are an important thematic priority for the Arctic Mayors’ Forum.
We are especially pleased to see a strong focus on youth and look forward to supporting implementation of these priorities over the next two years.
Offshore, mining and tourism is highlighted
The Chairship’s support of well defined, and innovative, renewable energy solutions through research and funding is crucial for local communities across the region who are focused on building sustainable economic development.
The largest infrastructure project in the history of Greenland is the development of a hydro power plant in the municipality of Sermersooq providing Nuuk with green energy for the future.
The thematic priority of Sustainable Economic Development and Energy Transition Solutions is obviously important for the Arctic Economic Council as the only pan-Arctic business membership organisation.
We are excited to see that the Chairship wants to dedicate efforts and attention towards sustainable economic development. It is good to see that sectors like offshore, mining and tourism is highlighted.
Oceans, Climate Change and Biodiversity are the last three thematic priorities. For the people of the Arctic, the waters with which they live are not only a critical means of transport, but also a significant source of wealth generation.
Therefore, it is positive that the Chairship programme has outlined its focus on strengthening stewardship over these oceans through emergency preparedness and ecological threat mitigation, according to the Arctic Economic Council and the Arctic Mayors’ Forum.
AEC and AMF welcome the overall ambition of an inclusive Chairship and stand ready to be involved.
It is the communitites and the local companies operating in the Arctic that know best how a sustainable development path can emerge in the place we call home.
