The Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today successfully concluded Canada's participation in the 12th Ministerial Meeting of the Arctic Council in Reykjavik, Iceland. Minister Garneau also represented Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC) on behalf of the Honourable Daniel Vandal, Minister of Northern Affairs.
At the meeting, Minister Garneau delivered remarks commending Iceland's two-year Council Chairmanship and its work to advance the health and livelihoods of Arctic and Northern Peoples and communities. He underscored Canada's international Arctic priorities, which seek to address urgent Arctic challenges, notably the effect of climate change on people living in the Arctic region.
Minister Garneau announced the establishment of a Canada-based permanent Secretariat for the Council's Sustainable Development Working Group, which will be hosted by Laval University. Through the work of the permanent Secretariat, the Arctic Council will be better positioned to advance sustainable development in the Arctic and contribute to improving the environmental, economic and social conditions of Arctic communities.
On the margins of the ministerial meeting, Minister Garneau engaged with the Indigenous Permanent Participants, as well as with counterparts from the Arctic Council states to discuss other key issues, including Arctic governance, climate change, sustainable development and constructive cooperation.
The meeting was a crucial opportunity for the Council's eight Arctic States and six Indigenous Permanent Participant organizations to make progress on a number of circumpolar challenges and opportunities, including climate change and socio-economic development in the Arctic.
As the host country, Iceland implemented strict measures in response to COVID-19, including testing upon arrival and social distancing to ensure everyone's health and well-being. Minister Garneau and Canadian delegates will follow all applicable health and safety protocols and adhere to all quarantine requirements upon their return to Canada.
Quotes
"The Arctic Council is the key forum for cooperation in the Arctic region. As the Council celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, it continues to prove itself as the critical forum for advancing climate change mitigation and adaptation, environmental protection and sustainable development. Canada will continue working with member states to address challenges in the Arctic and the North, while leveraging Indigenous knowledge to develop healthy ecosystems and building thriving, strong, safe and more resilient communities."
- Marc Garneau, Minister of Foreign Affairs
"Indigenous Peoples and Northern residents in Canada continue to provide important and critical research and innovation that contribute to the priorities of the international community through the Arctic Council. By developing recommendations based on research findings, and by leading sustainability initiatives, these contributions support decision-making to address the most pressing challenges and opportunities for people living in the North and Arctic. I am proud of the 25-year history of circumpolar collaboration, the work of Arctic communities, Indigenous knowledge holders, researchers and scientists in combatting climate change, protecting the environment and promoting sustainable development in the Arctic region in Canada and in other Arctic countries."
- Daniel Vandal, Minister of Northern Affairs
Quick facts
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The 12th Ministerial Meeting of the Arctic Council was attended by the foreign ministers of the eight Arctic States as well as representatives of six circumpolar Arctic Indigenous organizations, including three with roots in Canada.
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The May 19 to 20 meeting of ministers in Reykjavik marks the end of Iceland's chairmanship and the beginning of Russia's chairmanship of the council.
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This year also marks the 25th anniversary of the founding of the Arctic Council in Ottawa.
