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The core of the Arctic is a great, mostly frozen
ocean surrounded by land - the northern reaches of
Europe, Russia and North America.
All around is the evidence of centuries of winter.
In this region of incredible beauty and
fragile ecosystems, the plants, animals and people
have found ways to survive under
the most extreme conditions.
People have lived here for thousands of years.
They have survived by adapting to the natural
environment for their needs.
More than four million people call the Arctic their home.
Some live in small communities only accessible by air.
While others live in large cities of hundreds of thousands.
But home is undergoing profound and rapid change.
Temperatures are rising.
The resulting changes in the Arctic will fundamentally
impact the livelihoods of Arctic inhabitants.
Change will be seen in ecosystems and in access
to many areas.
Thawing permafrost will create infrastructure challenges.
These changes may also lead to new opportunities.
As the Arctic sea ice diminishes during the
summer, accessibility to Arctic natural resources
and sea routes will increase.
Those most affected by these changes
are the residents of the eight Arctic States:
Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia,
Sweden and the United States.
The Arctic States are working together to
respond to these challenges and opportunities.
The pre-eminent forum for cooperation on Arctic
issues is the Arctic Council.
The Council was established in Ottawa, Canada
in 1996, to address issues of sustainable
development and environmental protection in the Arctic.
The Council's structure is unique.
It brings indigenous Permanent Participant
organizations to the table with Arctic States.
The organizations are: the Arctic Athabaskan Council,
the Aleut International Association, Gwich'in
Council International, the Inuit Circumpolar Council,
the Russian Arctic Indigenous Peoples of the North
and the Saami Council .
Non-arctic states and non-governmental organizations
also play a role as observers to the Arctic Council.
The roots of the Council are in cutting edge
scientific research that values the traditional
knowledge of Northern inhabitants.
The work of the Council is carried out in expert
working groups focusing on issues such as climate
change, pollution in the Arctic, sustainable
development, biodiversity, emergency preparedness and
the living conditions of Arctic residents.
Scientific assessments produced within the Arctic
Council have shown the world the impact that climate change,
and pollution coming from far away, have had on the Arctic.
These assessments have contributed to important
international agreements including on persistent
organic pollutants and mercury.
As interest in the Arctic grows, the Council is
evolving to become more of a policy-making body on
issues that matter to Northerners.
For example, a legally binding agreement on
Arctic Search and Rescue was signed under the auspices of
the Arctic Council at the Nuuk Ministerial Meeting in 2011.
How resources are developed here, is of crucial importance.
The Council has developed Arctic Offshore Oil
and Gas Guidelines.
In 2013, Arctic States concluded an agreement on
oil pollution preparedness and response.
To help build resilient communities, the Council
shares information, best practices and tools with
decision makers who manage emerging issues such as
adaptation to the impacts of climate change.
This is a unique environment.
The Council works to ensure it is preserved and
that natural resources are utilized in a sustainable way.
It's an exciting time in the North.
The beauty, vibrancy, transformation and
potential of the region have captured global interest.
Through cooperation at the Arctic Council, Arctic
States and the Permanent Participants are taking up
the challenge of promoting sustainable development
for the benefit of Arctic inhabitants and communities.
For more information, please visit Arctic Council.org