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Arctic Yearbook 2013
Strengthening the Capacity of the Arctic Council
8.
In this sense, the Senior Arctic Officials Report to Ministers (Kiruna, 2013) establishes that
―the Arctic is changing rapidly. These changes are a source of both challenges and
opportunities. Climate change affects not only the environment but all Arctic inhabitants,
and especially the traditional way of life and cultures of the indigenous peoples. At the
same time, the business community‘s growing interest in the region may create
opportunities for more economically advantageous living conditions‖.
9.
―As we embark on the second round of chairmanship, we will continue our work to
strengthen the Arctic Council to meet new challenges and opportunities for cooperation,
and pursue opportunities to expand the Arctic Council‘s roles from policy-shaping into
policy-making‖, Vision for the Arctic (Kiruna, 2013: 3).
10.
See Mandate for Task Force for Institutional Issues (2011-2013). SAO Report to
Ministers, Nuuk, 2011: 56.
11.
See also, AC Secretariat Staff Rules (DMM02-15May 2012-Stockholm, Sweden); AC
Secretariat Financial Rules (DMM02-15May 2012-Stockholm, Sweden), AC Secretariat
Work Plan and Budget for 2013 (MM08-15May 2013, Kiruna, Sweden).
12.
―By improving internal and external communications and procedures, the AC has been
able to act more coherently and effectively‖, SAO Report to Ministers, Kiruna, 2013: 3.
13.
Emerging Challenges in the Arctic. Arctic Council Deputy Ministers‘ meeting on May 27,
2010 Ambassador Hannu Halinen SAO – Finland.
14.
The external representation is a very complex issue, even in those cases where a designed
framework exists. The European Union is a good example. See, Sánchez Ramos, B (2011). La
representación exterior de la Unión Europea tras el Tratado de Lisboa. En busca de la Unidad,
eficacia y coherencia in Sobrino Heredia, J.M (dir) Innovación y conocimiento.
IV
Jornadas Iberoamericanas de Estudios Internacionales, Lisboa 23, 24 y 25 de noviembre de
2009: 481-490.
15.
See SAO Report to Ministers, Nuuk, 2011 and Communication Strategy for the AC. SAO
Official Report to Ministers, Annexes, Kiruna 2013.
16.
In this sense, Selheim (2012) says that ―therefore, it can be expected that the Arctic
Council Secretariat, which supports the Chair of the Arctic Council, after takings its new
permanent form is expected to be of a similar character as other secretariats. This will
allow the Arctic Council to pursue its purpose on a solid administrative basis that will
allow it to develop in a stable and efficient manner‖, 64-65.
17.
The aim of this section is to study the contribution of observers to the strengthening of
the AC. Other aspects such as the admission process, function, etc, are beyond the
scope of this work.
18.
For example, the European Union has observer statute in a number of International