Do the cures match the problem? Reforming the Arctic Council

Polar Record ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 55 (3) ◽  
pp. 121-131
Author(s):  
Malgorzata Smieszek
Keyword(s):  
International Relations ◽  
International Cooperation ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Arctic Council ◽  
Ongoing Debate ◽  
Legal Reforms ◽  
Future Challenges ◽  
Continuous Application ◽  
State Actors

AbstractDespite its numerous valuable contributions to Arctic governance, throughout its history the Arctic Council (AC) has been subject to criticism and reform proposals from academic, non-governmental and practitioner communities alike. In order to inform this ongoing debate, the paper evaluates the proposals that have been presented for the AC thus far. The proposals are grouped into three clusters: legal reforms, organisational reforms and functional reforms. Each of them is examined in terms of its applicability and usefulness to the case of the AC, and specifically its suitability given the prevailing conditions in the Arctic. What the conducted analysis reveals is that the ideas regarding means to enhance the AC’s effectiveness can be largely attributed to the assumptions their proponents make—oftentimes implicitly—about the nature of state actors and international relations more broadly, without attending to the particular conditions of the case study at hand. This is an important inference, given the unrelenting change happening in both Arctic and global socio-environmental settings that calls into question the usefulness of past modes of thinking and forms of international cooperation. Far from offering solutions, their continuous application in particular circumstances might even impede progress in addressing present and future challenges.

scholarly journals Club Diplomacy in the Arctic

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 304-326
Author(s):  
Danita Catherine Burke
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
International Politics ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Illustrative Case ◽  
Arctic Council ◽  
Club Membership ◽  
Decision Making Processes ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Illustrative Case Study

Abstract The Arctic Council is frequently called a unique forum but, as this article argues, clubs are common in international politics and in many respects the Arctic Council is a club. This article explores the questions: Why are the Arctic states acting like a club in Arctic politics, and how do internal hierarchies influence how clubs make decisions? As the article illustrates, clubs are the stage for club diplomacy and, in club diplomacy, hierarchies play an important role. Using the Arctic Council as an illustrative case study, this article argues that clubs have internal hierarchies that inform their decision-making processes and their responses to challenges to their status. When clubs try to deal with subjects that extend beyond the boundaries of the sovereignty of club members and the parameters of club membership, club members may suffer from a lack of status and legitimacy to unilaterally deal with the subject.

The politics of Arctic international cooperation: Introducing a dataset on stakeholder participation in Arctic Council meetings, 1998–2015

2016 ◽  
Vol 52 (2) ◽  
pp. 203-223 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sebastian Knecht
Keyword(s):  
International Cooperation ◽  
Political Representation ◽  
Stakeholder Participation ◽  
Blind Spot ◽  
Regional Governance ◽  
World Politics ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Arctic Council ◽  
Actual Participation ◽  
Governance Arrangements

Contemporary Arctic transformations and their global causes and consequences have put international cooperation in the Arctic Council, the region’s most important forum for addressing Arctic affairs, at the forefront of research in Northern governance. With interest in Arctic regional affairs in world politics being at a historical high, the actual participation and contribution by interested actors to regional governance arrangements, such as the Arctic Council, has remained very much a blind spot. This article introduces and analyses a novel dataset on stakeholder participation in the Arctic Council (STAPAC) for all member states, Permanent Participants and observers in Ministerial, Senior Arctic Officials’ and subsidiary body meetings between 1998 and 2015. The article finds that participation in the Arctic Council varies significantly across meeting levels and type of actors, and that new admissions to the Council, a source of major contestation in recent debates, do not necessarily result in more actors attending. The article further discusses these findings in light of three prevalent debates in Arctic governance research, and shows the empirical relevance of the STAPAC dataset for the study of Arctic cooperation and conflict, observer involvement in the Arctic Council system and political representation of indigenous Permanent Participants.

scholarly journals Cooperação e contrapartida nas ações da OMS: notas sobre a geopolítica da saúde global/Cooperation and counterparts in WHO actions: notes on global health geopolytics

2018 ◽  
pp. 158-172
Author(s):  
Camilo Darsie ◽  
Douglas Weber ◽  
Mateus Aparecido De Faria ◽  
Cristianne Maria Famer Rocha
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Global Health ◽  
International Relations ◽  
International Cooperation ◽  
Who Guidelines ◽  
Member States ◽  
Development Agencies ◽  
State Actors

Este ensaio visa, a partir de documentos oficiais e literatura especializada, analisar o desempenho da OMS desde sua origem e seu papel em questões relacionadas à saúde global, destacando a dinâmica da cooperação-contrapartida. Essa dinâmica é resultado da complexificação das relações internacionais, envolvendo Estados membros, atores não estatais e agências de desenvolvimento, a fim de não apenas seguir as diretrizes da OMS, mas também incentiválos a priorizar certos projetos globais de saúde.Palavras-chave: Saúde Global, Cooperação Internacional, Saúde Pública, OMS. ABSTRACTThis essay aims, from official documents and specialized literature, to analyze the performance of WHO since its origin and its role in matters related to global health, highlighting the dynamics of cooperation-counterpart. This dynamic is a result of the complexification of international relations, involving member States, non-state actors and development agencies, in order not only to follow WHO guidelines but also to encourage them to prioritize certain global health projects.Keywords: Global Health, International Cooperation, Public Health, WHO.

scholarly journals Biodiversity governance under the Arctic Council: The role of science, business and NGOs

Polar Record ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 56 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Prip
Keyword(s):  
Scientific Work ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Business Sector ◽  
Policy Advocacy ◽  
Arctic Council ◽  
International Context ◽  
State Actors ◽  
Political Commitments ◽  
Biodiversity Governance

Abstract Since its inception, the Arctic Council (AC) has focused on biodiversity, under its working group on the Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna. By adopting a holistic, cross-sectoral approach to biodiversity governance, the AC has acknowledged that biodiversity is not only a matter for the Council and its governments: also non-state actors must be involved. This article analyses whether and how three essential non-state actors – science, business and NGOs – influence AC processes on Arctic biodiversity, comparing the roles of these actors on biodiversity governance in the wider international context. AC work on biodiversity has remained largely scientific, with fewer political commitments for states and the Council as such: science has had a significant influence, whereas there has been limited space for the involvement of the business sector. NGOs have served mainly as contributors and partners in scientific work, increasingly also assuming policy advocacy roles. This article notes the need for closer political cooperation on biodiversity in the AC, with firmer commitments for states and the AC, inspired by work in other AC focal areas.

Whither the Arctic? Conflict or cooperation in the circumpolar north

Polar Record ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 73-82 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oran R. Young
Keyword(s):  
Continental Shelf ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Arctic Council ◽  
Oil And Gas Development ◽  
Excellent Opportunity ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Circumpolar North ◽  
State Actors ◽  
Biophysical Changes

ABSTRACTBiophysical changes underway in the Arctic have stirred a remarkable surge of interest and concern in many quarters, including non-Arctic states and non-state actors. This article explores the implications of these developments for the pursuit of governance in the region. Many reactions to this situation are more alarmist than alarming. But recent developments do provide an excellent opportunity to reassess the effectiveness of existing arrangements and to enquire about the need for new forms of governance. The article does not support the claims of those who argue that a comprehensive, legally binding Arctic treaty (or even an Arctic Charter) is required at this time. Rather, it argues the case for a somewhat messier but more effective tripartite governance complex featuring an agreement to set aside without extinguishing claims to extended continental shelf jurisdiction on the part of the littoral states, an effort to adjust the character of the Arctic Council to meet emerging needs in the Arctic, and a push to devise issue-specific regulative regimes to address concerns involving shipping, fishing, and off-shore oil and gas development.

The Arctic Search and Rescue Agreement: Text, Framing and Logics

2013 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 299-318 ◽  
Author(s):  
Corine Wood-Donnelly
Keyword(s):  
International Relations ◽  
Arctic Region ◽  
Search And Rescue ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Arctic Council ◽  
Policy Document ◽  
Cultural Contexts ◽  
Hard Law ◽  
Maritime Search And Rescue ◽  
The Arctic Region

Abstract The 2011 ‘Agreement on Cooperation on Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue in the Arctic’ (henceforth SAR Agreement) is the first instrument of hard law produced by the eight states of the Arctic Council. While the agreement ostensibly addresses search and rescue related issues for the Arctic region, it is capable of being understood in a variety of legal, political and cultural contexts. Three elements are teased out in particular – the SAR Agreement as a legal policy document, as indicative of evolving Arctic international relations, and as indicative of particular geopolitical logics. As the paper concludes, however, the SAR Agreement has not been entirely free of political intrigue.

scholarly journals Little Italy: Seeking a Niche in International Arctic Relations

2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachael Lorna Johnstone ◽  
Federica Scarpa
Keyword(s):  
International Cooperation ◽  
Indigenous Peoples ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Oil And Gas Industry ◽  
Foreign Affairs ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Arctic Council ◽  
Intended Audience ◽  
Gas Industry ◽  
Little Italy

In December 2015, The Italian Ministry for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation published Verso una strategia italiana per l‘artico (Towards an Italian Strategy for the Arctic). In this article, the authors explain and evaluate the document in light of Italy’s connections to and interests in the Arctic, the Kiruna rules for observers at the Arctic Council, and the Arctic policies of other observers. They conclude that the intended audience for Verso una strategia is the Arctic States. Therefore, the document emphasises relevant Italian scientific efforts and promotes Italy’s oil and gas industry while downplaying the rights of indigenous peoples and avoiding issues of controversy. Publication of the document as a work in progress indicates the ministry’s willingness to listen to feedback and adapt its approaches as it develops a more comprehensive and nuanced strategy.

scholarly journals Тhe Russian Federation's Chairmanship at the Arctic Council

2021 ◽  
Vol 105 (5) ◽  
pp. 90-99
Author(s):  
Valery Zhuravel ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Protection ◽  
International Cooperation ◽  
Indigenous Peoples ◽  
Action Plan ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Arctic Council ◽  
The North ◽  
Social And Economic Development ◽  
Social Fields ◽  
Main Action

The article focuses on status, structure and organization of the Arctic Council (AC, Council). It is noted that the AC is an international, regional structure, which is designed to promote cooperation in the Arctic in the field of environmental protection and sustainable development of the circumpolar regions. In the activities of the countries chaired by the Arctic Council, special attention is paid to the continuity of the Arctic agenda. The importance of the Strategic Plan of the Arctic Council for 2021‒2030 adopted in 2021 for the further improvement of AC activities is highlighted. The central part of the study is devoted to Russia's approaches to international cooperation in the AC and an analysis of the content of the Programme of the Russian Federation's 2021 to 2023 Chairmanship of the Arctic Council. The aforementioned includes such priorities as the population of the Arctic and the indigenous small-numbered peoples of the North; environmental protection and climate change; social and economic development in the region; strengthening the Arctic Council. The study also deals with the Main Action Plan, which covers all the countries of the AC and areas of its activities. The article draws attention to the risks and threats that may arise during the period of the Russian Chairmanship. It is concluded that the urgent problems of this region can be solved only through balanced and mutually beneficial international cooperation in the economic and social fields, in the field of ecology, development of indigenous peoples, cooperation in scientific research, Arctic tourism, emergencies in the region.

Prospects for the development of international cooperation in the Arctic: main directions

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (5) ◽  
pp. 76-83
Author(s):  
VERA I. SMORCHKOVA ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Economic Development ◽  
International Cooperation ◽  
Arctic Region ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Arctic Council ◽  
Governmental Organizations ◽  
Arctic Regions ◽  
Non Governmental Organizations ◽  
Common Interests ◽  
The University

Over the past three decades, the Arctic has shown an unprecedented pace of international cooperation. Work in this direction takes place within the framework of the Arctic Council, the Barents Euro-Arctic Region Council (BEAC), the Northern Forum, the International Arctic Science Committee, the International Conference “Arctic Frontiers”, the Conference of Parliamentarians of the Arctic Countries, the University of the Arctic, etc. Cooperation and integration of the Arctic regions are of great importance for the social and economic development of this macro-region. United, the Arctic countries will preserve and develop territories on the principles of sustainable development. While studying the topic of the article, the author realized that the existing initiatives are not enough to meet the growing needs of the region. Today, the circumpolar region faces geopolitical, socio- economic, and environmental challenges. Changes in economic development and global warming are a serious threat to the population of the Arctic. Governmental and non-governmental organizations associated with activities in the Arctic, as well as its direct residents, are interested in international cooperation in various areas that are related to the problems of the region. The participation of countries and organizations is needed for an immediate response to changes, as well as to solve emerging problems, to pursue common interests, and to find effective mechanisms for managing emerging changes. In the article, the author also offers practical recommendations for the proper use of the potential of the Russian Arctic.

Observer States’ Commitments to the Arctic Council: The Arctic Policy Documents of the United Kingdom and Germany as Case Study

2014 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 375-397
Author(s):  
Małgorzata Śmieszek ◽  
Paula Kankaanpää
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
United Kingdom ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Arctic Council ◽  
Policy Documents ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Arctic Policy

The Ministerial Meeting of the Arctic Council in Kiruna, Sweden in May 2013 received unprecedented coverage in the worldwide media. The main reason behind that attention was triggered by the expected decision of the Council to grant observer status to applicants, including China and the European Union. However, not only countries and entities seeking access to the AC proceedings have been increasingly active in their approach towards the region. Also the ‘old’ observer states to the Council got spurred by recent developments and among them the United Kingdom and Germany were the first ones to set out their overall Arctic policies in fall 2013. This article looks at both documents to examine the vision for the Arctic that both countries bring and proposes to read the texts in light of the rules for observers’ participation in the Arctic Council, which were approved in Nuuk in 2011. It continues with setting them against a broader picture of the involvement of outside actors in the Arctic cooperation.

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