Lisa Murkowski was nice enough to post this picture on her Facebook page along with this comment about an hour ago.
Heading home from the Arctic Council in Nuuk, Greenland. But wanted to share a picture: with the Ministers of the eight Arctic nations in attendance, as well as Secretary Clinton and Secretary Salazar.
Here is a fact sheet released by the State Department about the Arctic Council meeting results.
Secretary Clinton Signs the Arctic Search and Rescue Agreement with Other Arctic Nations
Fact Sheet
Office of the SpokesmanWashington, DCMay 12, 2011On May 12, 2011, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton joined representatives of the other seven Member States of the Arctic Council (Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, the Russian Federation, and Sweden) in signing an Agreement on Cooperation on Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue (SAR) in the Arctic (Agreement). The Agreement is the first legally-binding instrument negotiated under the auspices of the Arctic Council. It coordinates life-saving international maritime and aeronautical SAR coverage and response among the Arctic States across an area of about 13 million square miles in the Arctic.
As Arctic sea ice coverage decreases, ship-borne activities are increasing significantly in the Arctic. Flight traffic is also on the rise as new polar aviation routes cross the Arctic air space in several directions. As human presence and activities in the Arctic expand, the potential for accidents increases as well. Limited rescue resources, challenging weather conditions, and the remoteness of the area render SAR operations difficult in the Arctic, making coordination among the Arctic nations imperative. The SAR Agreement will improve search and rescue response in the Arctic by committing all Parties to coordinate appropriate assistance to those in distress and to cooperate with each other in undertaking SAR operations. For each Party, the Agreement defines an area of the Arctic in which it will have lead responsibility in organizing responses to SAR incidents, both large and small. Parties to the Agreement commit to provide SAR assistance regardless of the nationality or status of persons who may need it.
The Arctic Council launched this initiative at its 2009 Ministerial Meeting in Tromso, Norway, establishing a Task Force, co-chaired by the United States and the Russian Federation. The Task Force proceeded in a highly collaborative spirit, meeting five times (in Washington, Moscow, Oslo, Helsinki and Reykjavik).
The signature of the SAR Agreement in Nuuk is a positive step toward building partnerships in the Arctic. In particular, it reflects the commitment of the Arctic Council States to enhance their cooperation and offer responsible assistance to those involved in accidents in one of the harshest environments on Earth.
This Agreement illustrates one of the most successful negotiations to date to address emerging issues in the Arctic. Arctic Council participants approached SAR negotiations with collaboration and dedication to a positive outcome. The United States congratulates its colleagues in this effort and looks forward to further collaboration on the vital issues facing the rich but fragile Arctic region.
Here is another press release.
Department of State Announces Successful Conclusion to Arctic Council Ministerial
Media Note
Office of the SpokesmanWashington, DCMay 12, 2011On May 11 and 12, 2011, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton participated in the Seventh Ministerial Meeting of the Arctic Council, in Nuuk, Greenland. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar and Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs Kerri-Ann Jones accompanied Secretary Clinton to the meeting.
The United States recognizes and values the Arctic Council as the preeminent forum for international cooperation in the Arctic. Reflecting the importance of Arctic issues, Secretary Clinton’s participation in Nuuk marked the first time that a Secretary of State has attended an Arctic Council Ministerial Meeting.
This historic meeting achieved several important outcomes:
First, Arctic Council members signed a Search and Rescue Agreement, the first legally-binding instrument negotiated under the auspices of the Arctic Council. A Fact Sheet on the Agreement is forthcoming.
Second, the Arctic Council augmented its organizational structure by forming a standing Secretariat, to be based in Tromsø, Norway, and by establishing criteria for the admission of new observers to the Council.
Third, the Arctic Council announced the results of two important scientific studies: an assessment on Snow, Water, Ice, and Permafrost in the Arctic (SWIPA), and a report on the warming effects on the Arctic climate of Short-Lived Climate Forcers (SLCFs) like soot (black carbon) and methane. The latter report proposes measures the eight Arctic countries can take to limit their emissions. The United States recognizes that robust polar science cooperation is crucial to our ability to formulate useful policies for the region, and encourages the Arctic countries to take steps commensurate with the gravity of the reports’ findings. Two Fact Sheets on the studies are forthcoming.
Finally, the Council also announced the formation of a new task force that will negotiate measures for oil spill preparedness and response throughout the region. The decision to launch these negotiations is evidence of our commitment to proactively address emerging issues in the region.
The United States’ cooperation through the Arctic Council is a key to responding to the climate, societal and economic changes occurring in the Arctic today.
