(2010-1159-F) Arctic Council

The materials in FOIA 2010-1159-F are a selective body of documents responsive to the topic of the FOIA. Researchers should consult the archivist about related materials. The Arctic Council was established on September 19, 1996 with the signing of the Declaration on the Establishment of the Arctic Council, more commonly known as the Ottawa Declaration. On behalf of the United States it was signed by Undersecretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs, Timothy E. Wirth. The Arctic Council began with the intention, as stated in the Ottawa Declaration, of being a high level working group for promoting cooperation, coordination, and interaction between the arctic states. There were eight permanent member states: Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, the Russian Federation, Sweden, and the United States. There were also three indigenous population groups included as permanent members: the Inuit Circumpolar Conference, the Saami Council and the Association of Indigenous Minorities of the North, Siberia and the Far East of the Russian Federation. In many ways the Arctic Council was simply a reorganization—or more formal organization—of the Arctic Environmental Protection Strategy (AEPS). It had its foundation in the AEPS and carried on many of the environmental protection and environmental policy programs of the AEPS. The AEPS began with the urging of Finland to discuss environmental protection with fellow arctic states. Discussion that began in 1989 culminated in the June 1991 signing of the non-binding, multilateral agreement. Several member countries felt that the AEPS did not adequately address all the issues related to their arctic regions. A significant number of scientific studies were carried out under the programs of the AEPS. Many of these studies focused on better understanding and protecting the arctic environment. Canada was a strongly vocal proponent increasing the mandate of the AEPS. They proposed the creation of the Arctic Council. Their proposal included the programs of the AEPS and added the goal of sustainable development. The chair of the Arctic Council rotates among the eight members each serving a two year term. Canada held the first chairmanship followed by the United States in 1998 to 2000. The United States will again serve as chairman beginning in 2015. Much of the work of the Arctic Council in the United States is conducted by the United States Department of State. The department’s Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs—often referred to as Oceans, Environment and Science or OES—is the lead agency on many of the Arctic Council’s programs. This collection dates approximately January 1993 to January 2001. The collection includes memos and email related to the Arctic Policy Group and the implementation of the Arctic Environmental Protection Strategy (AEPS). It includes draft documents establishing the protocol of the AEPS and the organization of the AEPS working parties. The collection includes discussion papers on the need for an Arctic Council and the proposed organization of the task force. A large number of cables are included dealing primarily with meetings with Canada to discuss the implementation of the Arctic Council. The collection also includes White House email consisting of correspondence, press releases, and statements related to the Arctic Council. In addition, the collection contains forms, letters, memoranda, and messages referring to the establishment of the Arctic Council. This material concerns the Presidential Message for the “senior Arctic officials” meeting in Washington. D.C. in November of 1999, Inuit concerns with the Arctic Council, and the State of Alaska’s support of this Council.