Arctic – Changing Realities
Ministers, ambassadors, ladies and gentlemen, dear friends of the Arctic!
It is with great pleasure that the Nordic Council of Ministers has the honour of hosting another conference on the Arctic.
Our first conference “Common Concern for the Arctic” held in Ilulissat, Greenland, in September 2008 raised a number of questions and highlighted a number of challenges. It has been the intention of this conference: “Arctic – changing realities” to take a step further and not only state the facts but show a path – a path that can lead to innovative solutions and change for the Arctic that we have all committed to preserve and sustainably develop.
In the Nordic Council of Ministers we have sought to add value to the “path of solution“ – not only by hosting conferences – but by allocating funds for a whole range of activities in the Arctic.
Let me give you a few examples from the areas of research, energy, fishery health, and international cooperation.
The Nordic Top-level Research Initiative in climate, energy and environment is the largest ever joint Nordic research and innovation effort.
The Arctic is one of three horizontal priorities within the initiative. Efforts are now being made to build new strong Nordic Centres of Excellence and networks on scientific observations, analyses and modelling on cryosphere-climate interactions focusing on the Arctic regions.
Energy in sparsely populated areas is in itself a challenge, adding a harsh climate makes it even more complicated.
This year our Nordic task-force on energy in sparsely populated areas is publishing a white book on the energy sources and energy efficiency in transportation more specifically in shipping.
We need knowledge about the impact of climate change on the primary sectors, fisheries, forestry and agriculture. It is therefore, the Nordic Council of Ministers decided in 2008 to launch a four year research programme, with the purpose to create the necessary knowledge base for taking decision how we best can adapt our primary industries to the changing natural conditions.
In September this year, the Nordic Council of Ministers has invited to a conference on the Faroe Islands, to address the challenges we are facing in the pelagic complex.
Indigenous people living in remote northern areas are facing many similarities with regard to health and social challenges.
The Nordic Council of Ministers has therefore together with Canada Health taken an initiative to use the Northern Dimension Partnership in Public Health and social wellbeing as a common platform for cooperation to address the health concerns and social issues among indigenous people.
Let me finish by mentioning the NMC’s Arctic Cooperation Programme. In this programme we have intended to provide substance to decision making in the Arctic. The Nordic Council of Ministers wants to add value to the solutions for the Arctic and does not pretend to provide the one and only answer. The changes we face must be dealt with in a collaborative, maybe even communitarian, spirit. And therefore cooperation within the international community is necessary.
This is why we gathered the international community in 2008 in Ilulissat. This is why we are gathering the international community today. And this is why we have approached the EU Commission with a suggestion of having an expert level workshop this fall.
We would like to discuss the possibilities of a constructive collaboration between the initiatives of the Nordic Council of Ministers and the EU with the hope of providing tangible responses to the challenges in the Arctic.
I would like thank all speakers of today. It is encouraging to hear the overall positive signals which the Nordic Council of Ministers note with appreciation and full respect. We will take our responsibility and engage further in the sustainable development of the Arctic.
Let me comment on some issues:
I welcome the engagement and constructive role of the indigenous peoples and note especially the challenge to combine clean technology with traditional knowledge. As was said by one speaker: to bridge the international to the local. This is really worth a discussion in order to build Arctic governance based on sustainable frameworks for the future.
I note that Statoil believes that the way forward concerning exploration of energy resources in the Arctic will be dictated by market demand and available technology. I hope Statoil with their experience will lead the development towards a more environmentally friendly technology.
I agree with the Swedish state secretary, the Danish minister and the Iclandic minister on the need to take a precautionary approach concerning exploration of natural resources and the risks with increased maritime transport. Environmental impact assessments for new activities in the Arctic are fundamental and will create international trust. We welcome if Sweden will prioritise this during their coming presidency in the Arctic Council.
The conference today shows me that there is and must be a strong link and connection between governing the Arctic, harvesting the Arctic and living in the Arctic.
We must remember that there are people living in the Arctic who need to be involved in the decisions made for their livelihood. This can be done through means of direct involvement and consultation of the Arctic resident as well as supporting their social and metal capital through health, social and educational initiatives and much more. The peoples of the Arctic have to benefit from the future initiatives in the Arctic.
We must – in other words – commit to empathy.
We must admit, that the engine of the western world is based on energy and industry and there are interests in the Arctic on this point. However, if we can harvest the Arctic sustainably and with the right regulation and governance we have come a way also.
We must – in other words – commit to sustainability. The utilization of resources in the arctic is sensitive. Be it fish stocks or marine mammals. We must also commit to science.
We must respect, that we all have different interest, different abilities, different tasks and different competencies. However, we must first and foremost respect the Arctic. That is why we must work together for the Arctic, in the Arctic out of respect for each other and the Arctic. If we do so, the regulation and governance emanating from such an approach will sensible solutions for the Arctic.
We must – in other words – commit to cooperation.
With these words I hope that the ideas shared today can show us a path to solutions in the Arctic. Thank you for sharing this day with us and have a safe trip home.
