Wants to Strengthen Indigenous Health Across the Arctic Indigenous organisations in the Arctic are joining forces to establish a new health forum to strengthen cooperation on health challenges in the North. "Indigenous Peoples are always vulnerable to geopolitical challenges," says Gunn Britt Retter of the Saami Council.
Advocating for the Arctic How does one advocate for one of the most rapidly changing regions on Earth? In this episode of This Way Up, three voices with unique perspectives discuss how they advocate for the Arctic.
The Kingdom of Denmark's Chairship of the Arctic Council: "Unifying" Nuuk, Grønland (High North News): In May, the Kingdom of Denmark took over the chairship of the Arctic Council, spearheaded by Greenland. “Greenland’s leading role in the council has been a unifying force within the kingdom,” says Kenneth Høegh, Chair of the Senior Arctic Officials, to High North News.
The Arctic On Fire The Arctic isn’t just warming, it’s on fire. From the record-shattering 2023 wildfire season in Canada to the zombie fires smoldering beneath the boreal forests, Arctic wildfires are reshaping landscapes, threatening communities and accelerating global climate change. The Arctic Council's podcast This Way Up takes a closer look at wildfires.
The Arctic Council Launches New Podcast: “We Want to Bring the Arctic to the World” In the following months, High North News will publish the Arctic Council's new podcast,This Way Up. The Head of Communications for the Arctic Council, Anja Salo, says she hopes the podcast will showcase that the Arctic people have many of the answers to the region's issues.
Welcome to This Way Up Welcome to This Way Up, the new Arctic Council podcast. In this introductory episode, hosts Jessica Cook and Rosa-Máren Magga set the stage for the season ahead.
Believes the Arctic Council Will Survive Oslo (High North News): The cooperation with Russia in the Arctic Council works, reports leaders in the council's working groups. Various voices are also optimistic in regard to the council's survival. "The council’s continued existence will be in everyone’s interest", says Norwegian top diplomat Morten Høglund.
How Greenland and Denmark Can Lead the Arctic Council Towards Cleaning up Arctic Shipping As the first round of this Autumn’s Arctic Council meetings kicks off, led by Greenland under the Kingdom of Denmark Chairship, the council must seize the opportunity to set out its priorities for the future health and biodiversity of the Arctic Ocean, the people that depend on it, and global climate systems that it helps regulate, writes Dr. Sian Prior in the Clean Arctic Alliance in this op-ed.
How Greenland and Denmark Can Lead the Arctic Council Towards Cleaning up Arctic Shipping As the first round of this Autumn’s Arctic Council meetings kicks off, led by Greenland under the Kingdom of Denmark Chairship, the council must seize the opportunity to set out its priorities for the future health and biodiversity of the Arctic Ocean, the people that depend on it, and global climate systems that it helps regulate, writes Dr. Sian Prior in the Clean Arctic Alliance in this op-ed.
How Greenland and Denmark Can Lead the Arctic Council Towards Cleaning up Arctic Shipping As the first round of this Autumn’s Arctic Council meetings kicks off, led by Greenland under the Kingdom of Denmark Chairship, the council must seize the opportunity to set out its priorities for the future health and biodiversity of the Arctic Ocean, the people that depend on it, and global climate systems that it helps regulate, writes Dr. Sian Prior in the Clean Arctic Alliance in this op-ed.
Norwegian MP Leaves Open Possibility of an Arctic Council Without Russia High North News (Oslo): The Western Arctic states must soon choose between continuing slow-moving Arctic Council work with Russian participation, or proceeding without Russia, believes Ine Eriksen Søreide, Chair of the Norwegian Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defense.
Arctic Project Hits Major Milestone: ‘A Big Moment For Us’ A High North Center project receives key international recognition, opening doors to new partners and greater impact across the Arctic.
Arctic Council Working Groups Must Persist Despite Putin and Trump, Says Researcher AMAP's new Arctic climate report for 2024 shows that the Arctic climate is continuing to change at an alarming rate. Yet, the current geopolitical landscape makes it challenging to translate these findings into political action. "But the Arctic Council Working Groups must continue their work," says FNI researcher Svein Vigeland Rottem. "There will come a time after Trump and Putin."
Arctic Council Chairship Handover: “We Must Move Forward With Courage,” Says Greenlandic Foreign Minister Tromsø, Northern Norway (High North News): The Kingdom of Denmark, spearheaded by Greenland, has taken over the chairship of the Arctic Council. The eight Arctic states have also agreed on a joint statement. "The Council must continue to be the foremost forum for cooperation in the Arctic," underlines Greenland's foreign minister.
The Arctic Council Survives Both Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump Comment: They stood humble, but smiling in the background, Norway's Morten Høglund and Solveig Rossabø, when Denmark took over the chairship of the Arctic Council on Monday. In front of them, on stage, the Norwegian MFA Espen Barth Eide had just presented a collection of non-committal political platitudes, or a closing statement as it is officially called.
The Arctic Council: On the Brink of Collapse or Still a Hope for Cooperation? Comment: The US threatens to take over Greenland and Canada with military power if necessary. The Nordic countries, Norway, Sweden, and Finland, fear a military attack from Russia. On Monday, they "meet" in Tromsø.
“The US Can Become More Unpredictable on Climate Issues in the Arctic Council Than Russia” The Kingdom of Denmark’s Arctic Council chairship program form a good basis for further cooperation between the eight Arctic states. However, engaging the Trump administration in the council’s work on climate change could be particularly challenging, says FNI researcher.
Norwegian Anja Kristine Salo is the Arctic Council's New Head of Communications Anja Kristine Salo has been appointed as the new Head of Communications for the Arctic Council. She will take up the position on August 1st. “For me, this is a dream job that combines everything I am passionate about,” Salo tells HNN.
Arctic Guardian 2025: Multilateral Exercise on Maritime Emergency Response off Northern Norway The exercise, which gathers coast guard resources from the seven Western Arctic states, is underway. "In a changing Arctic, it is crucial that we train together, build trust, and understand each other's capabilities," says the Commander of Norway's Coast Guard.
Navigating the Future of Polar Shipping: Key Insights from the IMO-Norway Maritime Seminar In January, leading experts, researchers, policymakers, and industry leaders gathered in London for the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and Norway’s Arctic Council ChairshipPolar Maritime Seminar. Researchers Alina Kovalenko and Michaela Coote have compiled some key takeaways from the session.
Greenlandic Top Politician On Trump: "You Cannot Own or Control, but Have a Partnership" Tromsø (High North News): "We need stability now," says Aaja Chemnitz, Greenlandic Member of the Danish Parliament. Together with Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski, she states that the US must consider Greenland an ally, not an asset.
Russia's Ambassador to Norway: Warns of Political Vacuum in the Arctic Region A lack of political dialogue and alienation between the Western Arctic states and Russia creates a vacuum in the region that others will seek to fill, states Nikolay Korchunov, Russia's long-time top Arctic diplomat and now new ambassador to Norway.
Strong Security Focus in Canada's New Arctic Foreign Policy "The Arctic is no longer a low-tension region," said Canada's minister of foreign affairs. Ottawa is now initiating an Arctic security dialogue, strengthening the security perspective at a regional level, and opening new consulates in Anchorage and Nuuk.
Strong Security Focus in Canada's New Arctic Foreign Policy "The Arctic is no longer a low-tension region," said Canada's minister of foreign affairs. Ottawa is now initiating an Arctic security dialogue, strengthening the security perspective at a regional level, and opening new consulates in Anchorage and Nuuk.
Strong Security Focus in Canada's New Arctic Foreign Policy "The Arctic is no longer a low-tension region," said Canada's minister of foreign affairs. Ottawa is now initiating an Arctic security dialogue, strengthening the security perspective at a regional level, and opening new consulates in Anchorage and Nuuk.
Focus on Arctic Challenges at COP29 The UN's climate conference 2024, better known as COP29, is now taking place in Baku, Azerbaijan. The Arctic is yet again on the agenda, this time focusing on the cryosphere and wildfires, particularly from an Indigenous perspective.
“If We Lose the Arctic Council, It Is Lost Forever” Reykjavik (High North News): As Norway's chairship of the Arctic Council embarks on its final six months, it is time to look back on the road that was forged as they walked, when they were handed a broken council from a Russia at war.
Russia to Increase the Northern Fleet’s Combat Readiness and Strengthen Arctic Shipbuilding and Port Capacity Strengthening Russia's military capabilities and increasing the Northern Fleet's combat readiness are prioritized tasks to secure national interests in the Arctic, said Presidential Aide Nikolai Patrushev during a Murmansk visit. He also announced increased efforts to develop the Northern Sea Route.
It’s Greenland’s Turn to Lead the Arctic Council Op-ed: In 2011, Greenlandic politicians arrived at an Arctic Council meeting in Sweden to find they did not have a seat at the table. I mean this in the most literal sense: the chair where Greenland sat during previous Arctic Council meetings had been moved to the back bench. Instead, the Kingdom of Denmark, of which Greenland is a self-governing nation, held the sole central seat.
Norwegian MFA: "Need for New Thinking Regarding Nordic Cooperation in the North" Going forward, the Barents Euro-Arctic Council, which no longer includes Russia, can serve as a forum for strengthened regional efforts for societal and business development on the Cap of the North, says Norway's MFA Espen Barth Eide.
The Arctic Council With New Decisive Step Forward All Arctic countries agree that the Arctic Council's working groups can resume meetings in a virtual format. “This is critical in enabling the council to effectively respond to rapid climate change and other urgent issues,” says Morten Høglund, who leads the council under Norway's chairship.
Seeking Consensus for More Efficient Arctic Cooperation Russia suspends payments to the Arctic Council until it resumes "full-fledged work." Norway seeks to achieve agreement among all member states on more efficient interaction. "We have recently sent out a proposal for new guidelines," states Morten Høglund, who leads the council under Norway's chairship.
Russia Threatens to Withdraw From the Arctic Council "We need to keep all political options open, including a withdrawal from the Arctic Council," says Russia's Arctic Ambassador, Nikolay Korchunov.
Norway Divides Responsibility for the High North Policy Between Two Ministries The Norwegian government wants to strengthen the High North's efforts with a new cooperation model between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development. "A good measure and it was high time it was introduced," believes Senior Researcher at FNI.
Russia and China Discussed Further Arctic Cooperation – Also Within the Arctic Council The realization of Russian-Chinese joint projects in the Arctic was recently discussed by the countries' Arctic diplomats. Energy, science, transport, and infrastructure were central topics, as well as the prospects for further cooperation within the Arctic Council.
Light at the End of the Tunnel for the Arctic Council All Arctic countries have agreed on new guidelines that allow the Arctic Council's working groups to resume their activities. "This is an important breakthrough," says Morten Høglund, who leads the council under Norway's chairship.
Massive Russian Mobilization in the Arctic, High North News' overview shows Moscow is leaving the door open for "effective work in the Arctic Council" – while also continuously opening new doors for cooperation in the Arctic with non-western states. Interaction in fields such as research, environmental protection, logistics, energy, and tourism are on the agenda.
The Norwegian MFA Creates Position in Tromsø in Connection With the Arctic Council Chairship Norway took over the chairship of the Arctic Council earlier in May. Now, the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is establishing a project position for the chairship period in Tromsø, Northern Norway.
Lavrov: "The Arctic Council’s Future Depends on Whether a Civilized Dialogue Can Continue" Last week, Russia transferred the chairship of the Arctic Council to Norway. A way forward for the council requires joint efforts for dialogue to preserve the Arctic as a peaceful and stable region with constructive cooperation, says the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Lavrov: "The Arctic Council’s Future Depends on Whether a Civilized Dialogue Can Continue" Last week, Russia transferred the chairship of the Arctic Council to Norway. A way forward for the council requires joint efforts for dialogue to preserve the Arctic as a peaceful and stable region with constructive cooperation, says the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Russia: “The Risk of Weakening the Arctic Council Should Not Be Underestimated” On Thursday, Norway took over the Chairship of the Arctic Council from Russia. "The future of the council and cooperation within this format under Norwegian chairship appear uncertain," said Nikolay Korchunov, Russian Arctic Ambassador, to High North News on Wednesday.
Russia's Top Arctic Diplomat: Long-Term Cooperation in the Arctic Requires Conditions Now Lost Even if the Arctic Council’s activities are resumed, the development of long-term cooperation with the Western Arctic states is hard to imagine, says Nikolay Korchunov, Russia's Arctic Ambassador. He points to a lack of trust.
China Wants to Support Norway in Restoring the Arctic Council Bodø (High North News): "We hope that Norway can efficiently restore the council's functions and cooperation between all parties. China is willing to play a constructive role in this," says China's Minister Counsellor in Norway.
Norway: Russia Acting Constructively Regarding Transfer of Arctic Council Chairship In May, Norway is scheduled to take over the chairship of the Arctic Council from Russia. The cooperation with the Russian side regarding the practical transfer of the chairship is going well, says Morten Høglund, the Norwegian Senior Arctic Official.
Another BRICS in the Wall – Or How Walls Are Replacing Cooperation in the Arctic A mere month before Norway is due to take over the Arctic Council, 15 Russian diplomats are expelled from Norway. At the same time, another powerful international alliance is slowly, but systematically moving into the Arctic.
Upcoming Arctic Council Chairship: Important to Have Some Cooperation With Russia on Climate Tromsø (High North News): Norway's upcoming chairship of the Arctic Council is expected to be one of the council's most important. Despite a demanding international situation, Norway is fighting for the council's survival.
Russia's Top Arctic Diplomat: We Still Consider the Arctic Council an Important Forum Russia still considers the Arctic Council a significant cooperation format, says Nikolay Korchunov, the country's Arctic ambassador. This bodes well for the transition of chairship of the council to Norway, believes FNI Researcher Svein Vigeland Rottem.
The Arctic Council is Dead. Long Live the Arctic Council. Tromsø (High North News): Today, the Norwegian government presents its program for the Arctic Council ahead of the formal Norwegian takeover of the chairship after Russia on the 11th of May. The foremost ambition will be to ensure the council's survival for the next two years.
Barely Anyone Talks of Low Tension in the Arctic Anymore (Commentary) Few have attended as many lectures and seen as many PowerPoint presentations about the Arctic and the High North as I have throughout the years. Often quite bland and almost on autopilot. During the last few months, however, a significant change has taken place.
