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Development for the People of the North:The Arctic Council Program during Canadas Chairmanship (2013-15)

Canadas chairmanship

The Arctic Council was established in 1996, with Canadaserving as its frst chair. Canada is proud to launch itssecond term as chair (2013-15), which also marks thestart o the second round o chairmanships or allArctic states.

Development for the people of the NorthMore than our million people, living in the eight Arcticstates that make up the Arctic Council, call the Arctic

region home.

Canadas chairmanship will put Northerners frst.

The theme o Canadas chairmanship is developmentor the people o the North, with a ocus on responsibleArctic resource development, sae Arctic shipping andsustainable circumpolar communities.

Strengthening the Arctic CouncilSince its inception, the Council has undertakenimportant work to address the unique challengesand opportunities acing the Arctic Region. As these

challenges evolve, so must the Arctic Council.

Canada will work collaboratively with its Arctic Councilpartners to strengthen the Council. The aim is toenhance the capacity o the Permanent Participantorganizations, improve the Councils coordination andmaximize efciencies.

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Leona AglukkaqCanadas Minister or the Arctic Council

The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, an Inuk rom Nunavut, isCanadas Minister or the Arctic Council. Her appointmentunderlines the priority that the Government o Canadaplaces on the Arctic as well as its commitment to ensurethat the regions uture is in the hands o Northerners.

Patrick BorbeyChair o Senior Arctic Ofcials

As Chair o the Arctic Councils Senior Arctic Ofcials,Patrick Borbey will work closely with the Senior ArcticOfcials and the heads o the Permanent Participantorganizations to manage the Arctic Councils activitiesduring Canadas chairmanship.

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Responsible Arctic resource developmentThe Arctic Council is working to ensure that Arcticdevelopment takes place responsibly. Businesses in theArctic will play a strong role in building a sustainable andeconomically vibrant uture or the region.

Establishing a Circumpolar Business Forum willoster circumpolar economic development and provideopportunities or business to engage with theArctic Council.

As activity in the region increases, Arctic states arecooperating to protect the marine environment and thelivelihoods o Northern peoples.

In May 2013, the Arctic states signed an Agreement onCooperation on Marine Oil Pollution Preparedness andResponse in the Arctic. The Council has also begun workon oil-pollution prevention. This work will continue duringCanadas chairmanship. Eective action to prevent oilpollution is critical to ensuring the protection o theArctic marine environment.

Safe Arctic shippingOpportunities or tourism are growing in the Arctic. By

establishing guidelines or sustainable tourism andcruise-ship operations, the Arctic Council will encouragethe benefts that tourism will bring to communities whilereducing the risks associated with increased activity.

Arctic Council states will also continue to work closelytogether to encourage the International MaritimeOrganizations eorts to develop a mandatory polar codeor the Arctic Ocean.

Sustainable circumpolar communitiesCanada has a clear vision or the Arctic, in which sel-reliant individuals live in healthy, vital communities,manage their own aairs and shape their own destinies.

The Arctic Council recognizes and celebrates theimportance o traditional ways o lie or Northerncommunities and will work to increase regional andglobal awareness o these ways o lie.

The Arctic Council has long understood the importanceand value o traditional and local knowledge. Thisknowledge has enabled Arctic residents to survive in theharsh environment or millennia. The Council will developrecommendations or incorporating traditional and local

knowledge into its work.The Arctic is acing rapid changes in its climate andphysical environment, with widespread eects orNorthern communities and ecosystems.

Short-lived climate pollutants such as black carbon andmethane contribute to Arctic climate change. Addressingshort-lived climate pollutants oers the potential orhealth benefts as well as climate benefts as part o a

comprehensive strategy to address climate change.

Across the circumpolar region, communities are adaptingto these changes. The Arctic Council will acilitate thesharing o communities knowledge and best practices.

By promoting mental wellness, the Council will increasethe ability o Arctic residents to thrive and adapt to themany changes aecting the Arctic.

Highlights of the Arctic Council Program (2013-15)

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Welcome to Canadas NorthCanadians are pleased to welcome meetings o the

Arctic Council to our North over the coming two years.We will highlight Canadas dynamic and vibrant Northand showcase its peoples, cultures and stories.