The Nordic Council and 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 support social and cultural development for the Arctic people.
The objective is to protect the sensitive and characteristic Arctic nature, and to ensure sustainable use of the region's resources, and its biological diversity.
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.
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 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. The Nordic Council has an observer on the committee. The Nordic Council is holding a special theme meeting on Arctic issues in Reykjavik in March 2012.
Governmental co-operation takes place through the Nordic Council of Ministers, the Arctic Council and in co-operation with the EU.
Arctic co-operation embraces areas such as environment, health, energy supply, research, culture, education, IT, research and business advancement.
