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Arctic Yearbook 2013
Borbey
Incorporating Traditional and Local Knowledge and Promoting Traditional
Ways of Life
Providing a voice to indigenous Arctic communities and respecting traditional and local knowledge
are among the core values of the Council. During Canada‘s Chairmanship, the Council will focus on
ways to better incorporate traditional and local knowledge in its work.
The Chairmanship will also support and showcase the value and importance of traditional ways of
life for indigenous populations. By increasing awareness of these ways of life, decisions made
outside the Arctic region may be better informed to avoid detrimental impacts on the culture, health,
and well-being of the people of the Arctic.
Conservation of Migratory Birds
The Arctic Council will continue to pursue cooperation among Arctic and non-Arctic States to
support the conservation of the migratory birds on which Northerners rely. The Council will work
to map migration routes for key species and engage with countries along migratory routes to develop
conservation strategies.
Enhancing Scientific Cooperation
Since the Council‘s establishment, it has promoted environmental protection and sustainable
development based on collective scientific research. Scientific collaboration is particularly important
at a time of increasing change in the Arctic and increased demand for research funding. A new Task
Force will work to better strengthen scientific cooperation among Arctic States.
Strengthening the Arctic Council
The Arctic Council recently opened a new administrative Secretariat in Tromsø, Norway, to serve
chairmanships and disseminate information on the Council‘s activities. The Secretariat will work to
archive the Council‘s documents and make this wealth of knowledge accessible to the public and
Northern decision makers.
Permanent Participants are an important and unique feature of the Arctic Council. The
Chairmanship will identify ways to enhance the capacity of these organizations so that their
involvement can keep pace with the Council‘s growing agenda.
Canada‘s Chairmanship will seek to raise awareness of the Council‘s contributions to the global
community. It will encourage new approaches for increased coordination among Arctic States at
other international organizations. Arctic Council States will continue to work closely together to
encourage the development of a robust mandatory polar code for the Arctic Ocean at the
International Maritime Organization.