  |
|||
Appendix I: Draft Minutes of the Secretary General to the Standing Committee of Parliamentarians of the Arctic Region
CONFERENCE OF PARLIAMENTARIANS OF THE ARCTIC REGION THE STANDING COMMITTEE OF PARLIAMENTARIANS OF THE ARCTIC REGION
MEETING IN HELSINKI
Draft minutes
1. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA AND THE PROPOSED ORDER OF AGENDA ITEMS APPROVAL OF DRAFT MINUTES FROM THE SCPAR-MEETING IN ILULISSAT 27 MAY 2009
Decision: The Committee adopted the agenda and approved the minutes from the SCPAR-meeting in Ilulissat 27 May 2009.
2. UPDATE ON THE ACTIVITIES OF THE DANISH CHAIRMANSHIP OF THE ARCTIC COUNCIL Denmark, together with Greenland and the Faroe Islands, is chairing the Arctic Council. Ms. Mikaela Engell, the Danish Senior Arctic Official, gave the Committee an update on the activities and a report from the first Senior Arctic Official (SAO) meeting in Copenhagen 12-13 November 2009. The most important issue at the SAO-meeting was the preparations for COP 15 and to get consensus on the information to be presented at COP 15 the 14 December 2009 at the Bella Center. A report on the Greenland Ice Sheet will be presented by the Arctic Council. Information about Arctic issues will also be presented at the Arctic Venue. The SAOs further agreed that the Key Messages of Arctic Council's Arctic Biodiversity Trends - 2010: selected indicators of change report will be submitted to the Convention on Biological Diversity for inclusion in the upcoming third Global Biodiversity Outlook report. The SAOs further approved follow-up activities to respond to the recommendations in the Arctic Marine Shipping Assessment (AMSA) 2009 Report. These include an Arctic Council review of the global and regional measures that are in place for the protection of the Arctic marine and coastal environment, and to enhance cooperation in oil spill prevention. Ms. Engell also informed about the work of the Arctic Council's new Task Forces on “Search and Rescue” and on “Short-lived Climate Forcers”. The maintaining and strengthening the observing network – SAON – for long term monitoring in the Arctic will continue with a focus to benefit the people of the Arctic. Denmark succeeded Norway followed by Sweden as chair of the Arctic Council. A secretariat in Tromsø has been established to strengthen the Arctic Council e.g. by establishing an Arctic Council archive. The Danish Chairmanship hope the secretariat continues after the Scandinavian chairmanship period. A seminar on suicide prevention in was arranged in Nuuk. One of the great challenges in the work of the Arctic Council is the observer question. The SAO-meeting in Copenhagen had 200 participants and the rules about accepting observers are not very clear. The role of the permanent participants should not be diminished by the observers. China, South-Korea, Japan and the European Commission are applying for observer status. The Danish chairmanship would like to welcome all interest. If the Arctic Council can’t open up to interested states, it is a danger that they will find other ways of promoting their interest. There is no need for a new legal framework for the Arctic, but there is a need to look at some aspects the legal situation. “Megatrends of the Arctic” is a Danish Chairmanship project. The Working Groups have produced many interesting assessments and documents. Is it possible to put them on top of each other to extract the essence? The Danish Chairmanship will try and present the findings and suggest new directions for the Arctic cooperation. As a response to a recommendation from the Fairbanks statement to have ministerial meetings every year, the Arctic Council will have a deputy minister level meeting in the year between the Ministerial meetings. The format is not decided yet, but it may have a more thematic focus, maybe on the two task forces of the Arctic Council. Decision: The Committee took note of the information. 3. AMSA RECOMMENDATIONS AND THEIR IMPLEMENTATION PLAN The Arctic Marine Shipping Assessment (AMSA) mandate was from the Ministerial Meeting in 2004 and the Assessment with recommendations were approved at the 2009 Ministerial meeting. Mr. Kimmo Juurmaa from Deltamarin Ltd. presented the recommendations and the implementation plan. In 2009 the Northern Sea Route was practically open and in 2008 both the Northern Sea Route and the Northwest Passage were open for a short time. However there is still a lot of ice and the window for shipping is still very limited. The member states, Permanent Participants, industry, classifications societies, many non-Arctic stakeholders and more participated in making the Assessment. The shipping is happening today and is increasing year by year, and as a result of the increasing activity more accidents happen. In the assessment scenarios for the Arctic shipping activity were made. The main drivers were identified as “resources and demand for utilizing them” and “the governance issues”. The report is a negotiated text and approved by the member states. It includes 17 different recommendations and can be divided into three recommendations themes: ·
Enhancing Arctic marine safety The working group “Protection of the Arctic Marine Environment” (PAME) has made a matrix for following up the recommendations. This looks at the recommendation, identifies the follow-up needed on a global, regional or national level, and how PAME will continue to work with the recommendation. Finally Mr Juurmaa, in a personal comment, pointed to that PAME is not strong enough to implement all the recommendations and that the national states must be involved – together with IMO. Arctic inhabitants, industry and research institutions must also be engaged in the future process. On question from the Committee Mr. Juurmaa informed that the Northwest Passage had only open waters for a few weeks in September and even at that time the risk of ice was still large. With icebreakers you can have year around operations, but it is a matter of cost. Whether or not it is likely to get the Arctic Ocean characterized as a Particular Sensitive Sea Area (PSSA) in the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), Mr. Juurmaa noted that UNCLOS article 234 gives the coastal states authority to give regulations in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), and you need to go through the EEZ to enter the international waters in the middle of the Arctic Ocean. That way might be more effective than working through the IMO. Plans to have large scale SAR exercises should, according to Mr. Juurmaa, be further discussed between the Arctic states. The work to get the IMO-guidelines for sailing in ice-covered waters made mandatory is a work in process and it moves slowly. Finally Mr. Juurmaa noted that many players must get involved to implement the recommendations in AMSA. Decision: The Committee took note of the information. 4. PREPARATIONS FOR THE ARCTIC CONFERENCE IN 2010 IN THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT Mr. Henrik Olsen from the European Parliament informed the Committee about the progress in the preparations for the conference in 2010, with the 13-15 September 2010 as suggested dates and a draft program. The members will recommend speakers and a speaker with indigenous background was suggested. With regards to the organizing of the CPAR in 2012, the Committee decided to start from the top again, starting with the host of the first conference in 1993, Iceland. Decision: The Committee decided that the CPAR of 2010 shall take place in the European Parliament in Brussels 13-15 September 2010. The Secretary General contacts Iceland to discuss the possibility of hosting the CPAR in 2012. 5. NORTHERN DIMENSION PARTNERSHIP ON TRANSPORT AND LOGISTICS Mr. Harro Pitkänen from the Nordic Investment Bank presented the new Northern Dimension partnership in transport and logistics to the Committee. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed 21 October 2009 by the partnership countries and other interested countries, including Belarus. The partnership is planned to be operational in 2010. The new partnership is linked to the European Union transport policy via Northern Axis and Motorways of the Seas, and sub-regional cooperation such as the Barents corridor. The partnership aims to take a regional approach to remove the bottlenecks in a sustainable way and promote international trade. They will take a practical approach and not only physical infrastructure, but also customs procedures and trade barriers. In developing an action plan, concrete goals and targets for the parties will be identified, and the methodology to prioritize projects must be clear. One needs to avoid local and regional priorities to win over the cross-regional aims. A secretariat for the partnership will be established in Helsinki at the premises of the Nordic Investment Bank. The role of the international financial institutions will be important. Infrastructure is often publicly financed, but we need other financing as well as long term lending. The Nordic Investment Bank, the European Investment Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the World Bank are invited to attend the partnership activities as observers. On a question from the Committee about the possibility to involve all the Arctic states as owners of the Nordic Investment Bank, Mr. Pitkänen said that needed to be addressed to the owners of the bank. But he found the idea interesting. Information was given that the second Northern Dimension parliamentary conference will take place in February 2011 in Tromsø. The partnership will include improvement of road-connections, railroad, and transport at sea and air. Decision: The Committee took note of the information. 6. COOPERATION WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF THE ARCTIC Mr. Lars Kullerud, the President of the University of the Arctic, informed about the 121 members all over the Arctic sharing resources. The institutions decide which networks they want and there are 17 networks between the UArctic members. The networks include areas such as: Arctic medicine, Arctic Agriculture and natural use, Northern Governance, Indigenous Arts and Crafts, Journalism etc. The UArctic is about sharing. Shared focus – thematic networks, shared learning – undergraduate studies, shared competence – graduate studies, shared knowledge – knowledge and dialogue, shared experiences – mobility. Canada and Finland have been generous supporters from the beginning. Canada provides 750 000 C$ plus some additional money from the provinces. Finland provides around 500 000 Euros through the University of Lapland. Norway has a proposed an increase in the funding from 4.5 million to 5.5 million NOK. Sweden gives around 500 000 SEK Denmark will also support from next year with around 3 million DKK. Greenland, Iceland and Russia contributes through sponsoring mobility programs. The UArctic would be interested in cooperation with SCPAR on how to create future scientists, arrange joint workshops, meetings and conferences. UArctic would be happy to contribute in the next conference in the European Parliament. A possible topic for future cooperation could be tourism in the Arctic. Members of the Committee underlined the strong history of cooperation between the parliamentarians and UArctic. With regards to cooperation with UNESCO, Mr. Kullerud said that UArctic have taken some initiatives towards UNESCO for cooperation, but this has not yet been successful. The UArctic work to get more post graduate programs. Decision: The Committee took note of the information. 7. STATUS OF THE WORK OF SCPAR West-Nordic Council Ms. Olina Thorvardottir, Vice-Chairman of the West-Nordic Council, reported from the cooperation between the Faeroe Islands, Greenland and Iceland. The natural resources and especially the fisheries are very important to all the West-Nordic countries and the conference taking place in June next year will focus on the different fishing management systems in these countries. The Standing Committee is invited to the conference. The Vice-Chair of the West-Nordic Council also underlined the protest against the European Union ban on seal products. Finally the thematic conference this year, focusing on the unskilled workers, concluded that exchange – programs and better possibilities of distance learning are important to improve the situation for this group. Norway The Norwegian parliament has elected a delegation to the Arctic parliamentary cooperation with 6 members and 6 substitute members. The delegation has funded the making of 6 roll-ups which will be put on display at the Arctic Venue during the COP 15 in Copenhagen. With regards to seal products it is interesting to see how can we better interact and lobby the European Parliament – maybe the Standing Committee can join forces in this case. Canada Canada has drawn up a Strategy for the North and it includes: · A renewed focus on human health and the effects of climate change on human health · A new project to promote clean energy for northern communities · A strategy for strengthening the support for northern universities through fellowships · Plans to get new icebreakers, patrol ships and satellites · Social housing in the north a priority With regards to shipping in the Arctic Canada is looking at the possibility of extent the national environmental regime to 200 nautical miles. Denmark/Greenland Inuit Ataqatigiit (IA) won 44 % of the votes in the Greenlandic election in June and that ended 30 years of Siumut-government in Greenland. The Greenlandic self rule came into force the 21 June 2009. Still there is no agreement between Denmark and Greenland on CO2 emissions. Greenland want develop the industry and emit more CO2. The COP 15 will take place in Copenhagen and SCPAR will be present at the Arctic Venue. As Denmark does not support the ban of seal products in the EU and it will be good to discuss in the European Parliament next September. Juliane Henningsen will be away on maternity leave until next October and Sofia Rossen will attend the next meetings. Sweden The Swedish parliament debated the EU communication on Arctic policy. In this debate the lack of focus on the people living in the Arctic was criticised. A minority in the parliament want a moratorium on further exploitation of resources in the Arctic. Sweden will have the presidency of Barents Euro-Arctic Council from 2009-2011 and hopefully Sweden also will get an Arctic strategy from 2011. Sweden will also have the presidency of the Arctic Council 2011-2013. Nordic Council The Nordic Council wants to arrange an Arctic conference to follow-up the Ilulissat-conference in September 2008, and passed a recommendation on this topic at the Nordic Council session in Stockholm 29 October 2009. In advance of the Session a seminar on climate change and COP 15 took place, and a statement from this seminar was circulated.
Russia Russia thanked the Finnish parliament for hosting the meeting in a good way, and found that it is a good tradition to have a workshop before the SCPAR meeting. Russia also thanked for the support to the Nord-Stream pipeline in the Baltic Sea. As many Arctic countries have adopted an Arctic strategy it would be interesting to analyze the different Arctic strategies to look at the differences and similarities. Another possible topic for cooperation will be how to develop a smart economy, an economy of knowledge and innovation, to supplement the current economy based on export of natural resources. It was suggested to create a youth parliament of the Arctic region to build a bridge to the next generations of young politicians. This group can join the meetings of the Arctic parliamentarians. The Arctic Council is doing a good job but it needs to be on a Prime Minister level to increase the importance. Finland A report on Arctic policy from the government created a long debate in the parliament 18 November 2009. There were two main proposals: · Finland must get an own arctic strategy, · Create an advisory body for the government on Arctic policies European parliament The European Commission revised Arctic policies will be settled at a meeting 8 December 2009 and this new document will be debated in the EP. There are plans to have a joint conference on Arctic policies with the Nordic Council of Ministers. 8. NEXT MEETING The next meeting will be in Washington in week 11 and in Oslo 7 June 2010. 9. ANY OTHER BUSINESS As this was the last meeting of Mr. Henrik Olsen representing the European Parliament, the Committee thanked him for all the good work he had done to promote Arctic issues, and wished him all the best for the future.
CONFERENCE OF PARLIAMENTARIANS OF THE ARCTIC REGION THE STANDING COMMITTEE OF PARLIAMENTARIANS OF THE ARCTIC REGION
MEETING IN HELSINKI
List of participants MEMBERS Canada Mr. Dean Allison, MP Mr. Massimo Pacetti, MP Dr. Tim Williams, Science and Technology Division, Parliamentary Information and Research Service Denmark/Greenland Ms. Juliane Henningsen, MP Mr. Peder H. Pedersen, Adviser EP Mr. Henrik Olsen, Principal Administrator, Inter-Parliamentary Relations Finland Mr. Hannes Manninen, MP Mr. Guy Lindström, Deputy Director Norway Mr. Morten Høglund, MP Mr. Kjell Myhre-Jensen, Head of Section Russia Mr. Mikhail Nikolaev, Senator Mr. Kirill S. Mangush, Counsellor Mr. Vitaly Artamonov, Adviser Mr. Vasily Usoltsev, MP Mrs. Irina Kuzmina, Secretary Sweden Ms. Sinikka Bohlin, MP Ms. Eva Hjelm, Senior Officer
PERMANENT PARTICIPANTS Indigenous Peoples Mr. Jesse
Tungilik, Intern Junior Advisor OBSERVERS West Nordic Council Ms. Ólína Þorvarðardóttir, Vice-President of the West Nordic Council, MP, Iceland Mr. Thordur Thorarinsson, Secretary General Nordic Council Mr. Torkil Sørensen, Senior Adviser GUESTS Ms.
Mikaela Engell, SAO, Danish Chairmanship of the Mr. Kimmo Juurmaa, Project Manager, Offshore, Deltamarin Ltd Mr. Harro Pitkänen, Deputy Head of Lending, Nordic Investment Bank Mr. Lars Kullerud, President, University of the Arctic Ms. Outi Snellman, Vice-President, University of the Arctic Mr. Harald Brekke, Senior Geologist, Member of CLCS Mr. Hannu Halinen, SAO, Ambassador, Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Finland Ms. Jenni Koistinen, Embassy of Canada in Helsinki SECRETARIAT Mr. Bjørn Willy Robstad, Secretary General INTERPRETERS Mr. Aleksei Repin Mr. Igor Eskin
|
|||
 |
