The Nuuk declaration and an agreement to cooperate in Search and Rescue
efforts in the Arctic were signed. The Search and Rescue (SAR) agreement
will strengthen cooperation between the Arctic states and improve the
way Arctic countries respond to emergency calls in the region.
On behalf of Denmark, Lene Espersen expressed deep satisfaction with the
results of the meeting. The SAR agreement is ground-breaking in the
annals of the Arctic Council, as it is the first legally-binding
agreement negotiated under the auspices of the Council.
Sweden's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Bildt, incoming chair of the
Arctic Council, said that Arctic countries need enhanced cooperation on
many future challenges, not the least being prevention, preparedness and
response to oils spills. He said that during their chairmanship, Sweden will press forward with this on the agenda.
Major studies on environment released today show that climate change is
having a more profound impact on the Arctic environment than previously
understood. One of the Arctic Council Working Group studies shows that
black carbon (soot), ground-level ozone, and methane may account for up
to 40 percent of global warming in the Arctic.
A linked list of documents released during this ministerial
is available for your perusal. This list will be updated during the
days following this meeting on an as-needed basis. See also the Arctic
Council Working Groups' own websites for more information.
The Ministers also decided to strengthen the Arctic Council by
establishing a secretariat to increase the ability of the Council to
address future challenges in the region. The secretariat will be located
in Tromsø, Norway.
Please click here to view the original press release.
Arctic Council Ministers Sign Agreement in Nuuk
Fri, May 13, 2011
On May 11 and 2, the foreign ministers and leaders of the indigenous peoples of the Arctic Council met in Nuuk, Greenland, to set out future policy for the Council.