Arctic Council — International Relations & Polar Affairs

UPSC Notes

The Arctic Council is the principal intergovernmental forum for cooperation among Arctic states and Indigenous peoples on issues related to the Arctic region. It was established in 1996 through the Ottawa Declaration.

The eight Arctic states are Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden and the United States.

Key Pointers

  • Category: International Relations / Polar Studies
  • Established: 1996
  • Secretariat: Tromsø, Norway
  • 8 Arctic States are the members.
  • Six Indigenous organisations have Permanent Participant status.
  • Focus areas include:
    • Climate change
    • Sustainable development
    • Arctic environment
    • Biodiversity
  • India is an Observer, not an Arctic State.
  • India became an observer in 2013.
  • The Arctic Council does not primarily function as a military alliance.
  • Arctic shipping routes are becoming increasingly important because of changing sea-ice conditions.

Prelims Focus: 8 Arctic States + Indigenous Permanent Participants + India = Observer.