Arctic Council Ministerial Meeting

                        

                                           7 May 2019
                                       Rovaniemi, Finnland

 

                      

The Arctic Council Ministers met in Rovaniemi (Finland) on 7 May 2019 and passed the chairmanship of the Council from Finland to Iceland. For the first time in the history of the Arctic Council, the Arctic States could not agree on a joint “Ministerial Declaration”. Instead, the ministers signed a brief “Joint Statement” reaffirming the commitment to continue the constructive cooperation and to maintain the Arctic as a region of peace and stability. The focus is on the well-being of the Arctic population, the sustainable development of the region and the protection of the Arctic environment.

Additionally, the “Chair´s Statement” presented by Finland´s Foreign Minister summarizes the achievements of the Finish chairmanship and provides guidance for the work of the Council during the Icelandic chairmanship. The emphases of the Finish chairmanship were on environmental protection, meteorological cooperation, connectivity and education. Iceland will continue several of the projects carried out by the Arctic Council working groups and at the same time establish new activities. The program of the Icelandic chairmanship concentrates on the marine environment, green energy solutions, people and communities in the Arctic and a stronger Arctic Council.