Recap of the Arctic Council’s Ministerial Meeting 2021 in Reykjavik
Officials from Arctic States and Indigenous Representatives at the 12th Arctic Council Ministerial Meeting. Photo: Icelandic Ministry for Foreign Affairs/Gunnar Vigfússon
Didn’t have time to follow the live event? The Arctic Institute brings you highlights from a busy Ministerial week and quotes from Arctic States’ officials.
Last week, the Arctic Council’s journey towards a sustainable Arctic made its final stop to Harpa in Reykjavik (and online) for its 12th Ministerial Meeting concluding the Icelandic chairmanship (2019-2021). Although most media headlines had frantically focused on the “Russian take-over of the Arctic Council” in the lead up to the event, this year’s ministerial meeting brought back some much needed normalcy to the Arctic Council after an eventful 2019 Ministerial Meeting in Rovaniemi.
The biennial Ministerial Meetings are often the pinnacle of each Arctic State’s chairmanship and share many similarities. With 2021 marking the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Ottawa Declaration, this year’s Ministerial brings both consistency and innovation. Not only did Arctic States officials sign the usual Ministerial Declaration, for the first time, the Arctic Council also published a Strategic Plan with detailed goals and actions to be achieved by 2030.
Since 1996, the Arctic Council has slowly but surely grown to become an important forum for cooperation across the Arctic. Talking to the Icelandic newspaper Morgunblaðið a few days prior to the Ministerial Meeting, Iceland’s Foreign Minister, Guðlaugur Þór Þórðarson said “the growing importance of the Arctic Council and the Arctic is showcased in the fact that it has become the norm for foreign ministers of the member states, including the major powers, to attend Arctic Council’s Ministerial Meetings.” Notably, both US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov both attended the meeting alongside foreign ministers from the other Arctic States.
From “Together Towards a Sustainable Arctic” …
The theme of the Arctic Council Chairmanship program for 2019-2021 reflected Iceland’s commitment to the principle of sustainable development. During its chairmanship, Iceland’s four main priorities were The Arctic Marine Environment, Climate and Green Energy Solutions, People and Communities of the Arctic, and a Stronger Arctic Council.
focused on many aspects of the climate crisis and other environmental issues, including plastic pollution, sustainable shipping, the impact of rapidly changing weather on ecosystems and communities in the Arctic. The Covid-19 pandemic certainly impacted the functioning of Iceland’s chairmanship last year and yet Iceland’s Foreign Minister noted that whilst some plans were hindered, the Council was able to meet more frequently through online platforms. Iceland’s outgoing Chair of the Senior Arctic Officials, Einar Gunnarsson pointed out that
“The Arctic Council’s success lies in the Arctic Council family’s ability and willingness to work together. This past year is proof of that. I’m incredibly proud of the Working Groups. Their reports, assessments and action plans are crucial for informed decision making, and the fact that they are successfully delivering numerous quality products despite being hindered by the pandemic, shows their swift adaptability and dedication to their work”
He added that “Iceland had an ambitious program for its Chairmanship at the outset. We’ve had to work around some unexpected challenges, and that makes me even more pleased that we are on track to conclude the Chairmanship with a strong Ministerial declaration and a strategic plan that reaffirm the Council’s commitment to a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable Arctic region.”
…To “Responsible Governance for Sustainable Arctic”
The main theme of the 2021-2023 Russian Chairmanship will be “Responsible Governance for Sustainable Arctic“. For the next couple of years, the ambitious plans include the promotion of collective approaches to the sustainable development of the region with focus on environmental, social and economical aspects. The involvement of regional (and most likely subregional) structures is seen as an advantage during the chairmanship. For the first time in the history of the Arctic Council, the implementation of the Strategic Plan, while respecting the rule of law, pays the way to structure the work of the intergovernmental forum. The priority areas for multilateral cooperation include environmental protection, peoples of the Arctic, socio-economic development, and support of the leading format of international cooperation within the Arctic Council.
“We hope that Russia’s Chairmanship in the Arctic Council will serve to further strengthen regional cooperation. Meeting the challenges we face in high latitudes today requires approaches that are truly collective. The Arctic is our home, and it is our direct responsibility to preserve it for present and future generations.” said Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
During its chairmanship, the Russian Federation also hopes to revive a military dialogue between the Arctic states within the framework of the Arctic Council. Of course, geopolitical affairs always have some influence on The Arctic Council’s Ministerial Meetings, despite military concerns not being on the Council’s agenda. Speaking about NATO’s presence in Northern Norway, for instance, Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov noted “We are concerned about what is going on close to our border with Norway.” Although the idea of potential meetings between the Arctic countries’ Armed Forces is not new and had already been explored before 2014, it could be a way to strengthen Arctic governance. “It is important to extend the positive relations that we have within the Arctic Council to the military sphere, as we reiterated more than once, primarily by resuming multilateral dialogue on military issues between the Chiefs of General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Arctic States” said Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. As he further pointed out in an article after the Ministerial Meeting, putting military issues on the agenda is not a harbinger of future conflicts: “Today, we see no grounds for conflict, military or others. But we have to maintain readiness on the highest level and Russia wants to boost communication on a military level when it comes to search and rescue, safe maritime activities and disasters – natural or others.”
“There’s a very great understanding of the problems facing the Arctic region and the interest of our countries in developing collective approaches to managing the region’s development” said Russia’s Senior Arctic Official Nikolay Korchunov.
The Reykjavik Declaration
With the Finnish Chairmanship concluding in 2019 without an official declaration, the Arctic Council member States were eager to put tension behind them. In 2021, the Ministers representing the eight Arctic nations, joined by representatives of the six Permanent Participant organizations of the Arctic Council, signed onto the Reykjavik Declaration 2021. The 2021 joint Declaration reaffirms the commitment to maintain the Arctic as a peaceful region, emphasizing the Arctic States’ unique position to promote responsible governance with a focus on the climate crisis and sustainable use of the area.
Arctic Council Strategic Plan
In recognition of the Council’s 25th anniversary, the Ministers adopted the Council’s first ever Strategic Plan through 2030 that reflects the shared values, goals and joint aspirations of the Arctic States and Indigenous Permanent Participants.
“I am extremely proud that our Senior Arctic Officials have been able to agree on the first ever Strategic Plan for the Arctic Council. Through the Strategic Plan, we will for the first time be able to give long term guidance to the work of the Council” noted Iceland’s Foreign Minister Guðlaugur Þór Þórðarson.
Likewise, the U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated: “We look forward to implementing the council’s first-ever strategic plan in cooperation with Russia and all of our partners. It’s fitting that we would adopt this 10-year plan for the council’s 25th anniversary. It represents an important step forward in ensuring that the council becomes even more effective and cooperative for the future.”
lndigenous Peoples’ Rights
A particular focus on Indigenous peoples and the unique role of the Permanent Participants within the Arctic Council has distinguished the 12th Arctic Ministerial Meeting from the previous events of this kind. The voices of the representatives of peoples of the North is very important, as they have been sharing traditional and local knowledge for decades.
“….the importance of taking into consideration the indigenous peoples who have lived in the certain polar Arctic region for millennia as well as carefully developing it, but in a sustainable fashion and, of course, being mindful of environmental change, which is going on very, very seriously at this time.” Canadian Foreign Minister Marc Garneau remarked to the press with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
Peaceful cooperation in the Arctic
Time and again, the Arctic Council has shown itself to be a venue for peace and cooperation, with every official from the Arctic 8 restating their commitment to dialogue, diplomacy and discussions instead of confrontation. The Arctic region is a region of peace, stability, and constructive cooperation. Interestingly, this year the meeting has also become a platform for discussions on more global issues.
The Ministerial Meeting seemed to be a good opportunity for the recently-appointed U.S. Secretary of State to meet with his Arctic counterparts and to reaffirm the U.S.’ commitment to Arctic cooperation. “We are here together for the Arctic Council and a shared commitment to continuing to maintain this region as one of peaceful cooperation, whether it’s on climate, whether it’s on science, technology, whether it’s on supporting indigenous peoples in the region” said the U.S. Secretary Antony Blinken, before meeting with Sweden’s Foreign Minister, Ann Linde. Likewise, Swedish Foreign Minister Ann Linde noted on her part “I always say that why are you in the Arctic Council: peace, climate, people – that’s the reason.”
Before his bilateral meeting with Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced: “We are prepared to discuss all issues on the table with the understanding that our discussions will be honest, factual, and with mutual respect. Laws of diplomacy recommend mutuality, especially when it comes to response to any kind of hostile actions. Our task is to make the best of the diplomatic opportunities we have, and we are glad to see that you are demonstrating such (inaudible). You can always rely on us to respond mutually to such intentions….”
Along the same lines of diplomatic relations, Norwegian Foreign Minister Ine Eriksen Søreide confirmed that“We are united in our commitment to effective cooperation by our shared perspectives on international law, climate change, environmental protection, the state of Arctic oceans and sustainable local communities in the Arctic. No Arctic state can solve the challenges in the Arctic alone.”
Despite a challenging time at the helm, the Icelandic chairmanship has managed to bring back some level of “business as usual” to the Arctic Council. Peaceful cooperation and strengthened relationships among Arctic States and the Permanent Participants had never been off the Arctic Council’s agenda. However, this year, more than ever, this seemed to have been the main theme of the meeting. Although this may be a byproduct of the 2019 Ministerial Meeting and the media narratives about Russia “taking over” the Arctic Council, this yet again reinforces the idea that the Arctic Council is bigger than the sum of its parts and serves as a platform to further enhance governance in the region. Equally, the first 10-year Strategic Plan is yet another step in strengthening the Arctic Council’s form and structure. On another note, the inclusion of the UNDRIP in the Reykjavik Declaration is, without doubt, a promising prospect for the implementation of Indigenous rights in each Arctic State.
While all eyes are now on Russia and its chairmanship agenda for the next two years, outcomes and Working Groups’ deliverables from the Reykjavik Ministerial Meeting are available on the Arctic Council’s website.