Nordic Co-operation in the Arctic
A large part of the Nordic land and sea areas lie in the Arctic region. The Nordic countries are therefore strongly involved in issues that concern this unique and harsh, but also vulnerable area. The Nordic countries co-operate to improve the quality of life for the indigenous people in the northern areas and to promote social and cultural development for the Arctic people. Nordic co-operation also strives to protect the sensitive and characteristic Arctic nature, and to ensure sustainable use of the region's resources, and protection of its biological diversity.
- Photographer
- Nikolaj Bock/Norden.org
Nordic co-operation has thrown light on the social living conditions in the Arctic, questions of equality and the economy of the northern areas. Co-operation has created increased knowledge about environmental toxins, heavy metals and climate change in the Arctic. Nordic funding for the Arctic University has improved the indigenous population’s opportunities for education. In addition, Nordic co-operation supports reindeer husbandry. The Nordic Council of Ministers builds on openness and co-operation, and has therefore considerable funds available. Every year a large number of Nordic organisations and associations receive funding for Arctic co-operation.
Institutions
Nordic co-operation in the Arctic takes place both at parliamentary level and through governmental co-operation. The Nordic parliamentarians discuss Arctic questions in the Nordic Council, and in addition to this parliamentary co-operation on the Arctic and the Barents Region takes place through the Standing Committee of Parliamentarians of the Arctic Region (SCPAR). It organises, amongst other things, an Arctic Parliamentary Conference every other year. The committee's membership consists of parliamentarians from seven Arctic countries and from the European Parliament. Governmental co-operation takes place through the Nordic Council of Ministers, the Arctic Council and in co-operation with the EU.
Co-operation Programme
The Nordic Council of Ministers' Arctic Co-operation Programme forms the framework for the projects and activities. Nordic co-operation is broad and embraces areas such as environment, health, energy supply, research, culture, education, IT, research and business advancement. In addition the Arctic Co-operation Programme is used by the Nordic Council of Ministers in co-operation with countries in the Arctic Council and the EU in relation to work in the Barents Euro-Arctic Council. The Arctic Co-operation Programme also supplements the Council of Ministers’ Russian Programme which covers some of the same geographical area.
The Nordic Council of Ministers has separate programmes, strategies and ventures regarding the Arctic. The overall responsibility for co-ordination lies with the Ministers for Nordic Co-operation. The Council of Ministers has an Arctic Expert Committee which advises on the elaboration, implementation and follow-up of Arctic activities. In addition, a large number of Arctic activities and initiatives are carried out through the respective policy councils of ministers in the Nordic Council of Ministers.
See also the Arctic Portal.
