Today, the Canadian Coast Guard and the Icelandic Coast Guard signed a letter of intent to formalize a shared commitment to cooperation and collaboration on coast guard operations. This agreement marks a significant step forward in strengthening international partnerships that enhance maritime safety, environmental protection, and operational readiness in the North Atlantic and Arctic regions.
The agreement highlights the organizations' mutual desire to facilitate cooperation and information exchange on maritime operations. It builds on existing partnerships and collaborative efforts through fora such as the North Atlantic Coast Guard Forum, the Arctic Coast Guard Forum, and the Arctic Council's Emergency Prevention, Preparedness and Response Working Group.
Areas of potential collaboration include:
- Arctic operations, including search and rescue, icebreaking, and marine environmental and hazard response;
- joint operational exercises and training initiatives;
- vessel traffic services coordination;
- information sharing, including remote sensing and maritime domain awareness;
- climate change resilience and decarbonization strategies; and,
- engagement with Indigenous and local communities, with particular attention to Inuit perspectives in the Arctic.
