Report

INTRODUCTION

Mr. Dennis Bevington, M.P., attended the meeting of the Standing Committee of Parliamentarians of the Arctic Region[1] (SCPAR) held in Reykjavik, Iceland, 12 May 2015.  The meeting of SCPAR was held in conjunction with the Fourth Northern Dimension Parliamentary Forum[2] (NDPF), 10-11 May 2015.

FOURTH NORTHERN DIMENSION PARLIAMENTARY FORUM

After the welcoming remarks of Mr. Einar Guofinnsson, Speaker of the Icelandic Parliament, the President of Iceland, Mr. Olafur Ragnar Grissom addressed the forum participants.  He highlighted the importance of the roles that parliamentarians play in their respective legislatures in this era of early stages of Arctic cooperation. The current cooperation spirit among Arctic nations represents a great change from the conflictual Cold War’s militarization period.

The work of the NDPF was divided into four sessions.

·         Development of the Policy of the Northern Dimension;

·         Green Energy Opportunities and Challenges;

·         Sustainable Utilization of Marine Resources in the  North; and

·         Gender Equality and Social Well-Being.

A.   Development of the Policy of the Northern Dimension

The following participants addressed the forum:

·         Mr. Gunnar Bradi Sveinsson, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Iceland;

·         Mr. Jorn Dohrmann, Member of the European Parliament, Chair of the Delegation for Relations with Switzerland and Norway, and of the Delegation to the EU-Iceland Joint Parliamentary Committee and the European Economic Area (EEA) Joint Parliamentary Committee;

·         Mr. Eirik Sivertsen, Member of the Norwegian Parliament, and Chair of SCPAR; and

·         Mr. Georgy Karlov, Member of the Russian State Duma, Committee on Natural Resources and the Environment.

The speakers underlined the importance of partnerships among members of the Northern Dimension. These partnerships would take world-level’s goals related to environmental protection and resource development down to the regional level details. They also called for greater cooperation on green energy development.

Mr. Karlov indicated that there are no unresolvable conflicts in the Arctic. Russia is open to Arctic cooperation and has developed a program for the Arctic, funded until 2020. Its priorities are economic development, environmental protection and social well-being. Russia called for EU sanctions related to the conflict in Ukraine to be discontinued in order to facilitate new Arctic cooperation projects.

A report on three partnership working groups: environment, cultures and transport, and logistics, was also presented.

B.   Green Energy-Opportunities and Challenges.

Mr. Dennis Bevington moderated the discussion in which Mr. Eirikur Hjalmarsson, Head of Communications, Reykjavik Energy, and Ms. Helga Ogmundardottir, Assistant Professor of Anthropology at the University of Iceland, took part.

Discussions centered on rights issues around energy utilization and deployment. Human rights to affordable non-polluting energy were also debated. Iceland was cast as a model where green energy is supplied to all homes and businesses through the actions of the State. Although initial costs were very high, the end result has been worth it. The concept of the democratization of energy was discussed. Barriers included vested interests, political and legal inertia, and prevailing perceptions and traditions.

C.   Sustainable Utilization of Marine Resources in the North

The panel consisted of Mr. Johann Sigurjonsson, Director General, Marine Research Institute; Mr. Steingrimur Jonsson, Professor of Physical Oceanography at the University of Akureyri, and Dr. Julian Burgos, Marine Research Institute, Marine Environment Sector, Benthic Ecology Group.

Discussion ranged from a presentation on fisheries management in northern oceans to science and impacts of harvest strategies in northern oceans. Fisheries effects on coral growth in locations between Iceland and Greenland have led to fishing restrictions in certain zones. Greater cooperation was called for in understanding and mitigating effects of fisheries on marine resources in Arctic waters.

D.   Gender Equality and Social Well-Being

Ms. Marju Lauristin, Member of the European Parliament, Estonia, moderated this fourth session with the participation of Mr. Hoskuldur Porhallsson, President of the Nordic Council and Member of the Icelandic Parliament, Dr. Giedre Purvaneckiene, President of the Baltic Assembly and former Associate Professor at Vilnlus University, Lithuania, and Mr. Auour Ingolfsdottir, Assistant Professor of Social Sciences, Bifrost University, Iceland.

This session focused on gender equality issues in Baltic nations. A philosophical discussion also took place on the nature of male dominated imagery of northern development. 

Following the two days discussions, a Conference Statement was adopted. This Statement includes an amendment proposed by Canada to the Green Energy section (Annex 1).

THE STANDING COMMITTEE OF PARLIAMENTARIANS OF THE ARCTIC REGION

On 12 May 2015, the meeting of SCPAR took place. Following the adoption of the agenda for this meeting and minutes of the meeting of 10 March 2015, in Washington, D.C., the following items were discussed.

A.   Arctic Policy of Iceland and Outcome of the 2015 Arctic Council Ministerial Meeting in Iqaluit

Mr. Stefan Haukur Johannesson, Permanent Secretary of State, Iceland, presented the Icelandic Arctic policy to the Committee as well as the main conclusions of the Arctic Council Ministerial Meeting, held in Iqaluit on 24 April 2015. Topics discussed by Mr. Johannesson included a plan for prevention of oil pollution in Arctic waters, a framework for black carbon and methane emission reduction, and marine protected areas networks.

The Secretary of State outlined the main actions of the Arctic Council under the Canadian Chairmanship, and the three priorities of the U.S. Chairmanship program: Arctic Ocean stewardship, climate change and improving Arctic living conditions.

He also mentioned the gender equality report, which came out of Iceland’s efforts at the Arctic Council.  

Questions from the Canadian delegate on security versus cooperation elicited a response that there is a complete consensus that the Arctic should remain a zone of cooperation involving all Arctic states.

On the Arctic policy of Iceland, Mr. Johannesson noted that the policy from 2011 was adopted by consensus in Parliament. The Secretary of State laid out a number of priorities for Iceland:

·         Promote and strengthen the Arctic Council;

·         Secure Iceland’s position as an Arctic Coastal State;

·         Resolve differences on Arctic issues based on the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS);

·         Develop greater and closer cooperation with Faroe Islands and Greenland;

·         Support the rights of Indigenous peoples who need support and direct involvement on a regional basis; and

·         Open consulates in Greenland and in Faroe Islands.

The Secretary of State mentioned that a comprehensive report on the Arctic is being prepared and will be launched in October 2015.  He added that Iceland has reached an agreement with the Faroe Islands on free trade and is discussing with Greeland to get a similar agreement.  He went on to underline the importance of cooperation in research and in sharing research results.  Mr. Johannesson also emphasized the need for increased cooperation on Search and Rescue (SAR) issues and indicated that Iceland aims at becoming a hub for SAR in the Arctic.

B.   Protection of the Arctic Marine Environment (PAME)

Mr. Hugi Olafsson, Chair of PAME Working Group, made a presentation. He stated that 70% of the Arctic is oceanic, a truly unique environment. He outlined PAME’s work plan established for 2015-17. The plan focus is on Arctic Ocean shipping safety, increasing resource utilization, security and stewardship. There are expert groups on shipping, ecosystem management and offshore oil and gas development.

Regarding marine protected areas, the plan will assess existing recognized areas. A progress report on the use of an ecosystem approach along with a Systems Safety Management and Safety Culture Report will be delivered.

The Canadian delegate asked whether there was any work being done on the impact of ice breaking on the environment and traditional harvesting. The answer was negative.

A Canadian will take over the chairmanship of PAME for the next two years.

C.   Presentation of the Second Arctic Human Development Report (AHDR)

Dr. Niels Einarsson, Director of the Stefansson Arctic Institute, presented the Second Arctic Human Development Report which updated the 2004 report. The Second Report identified changes and trends in the Arctic, and outlined the importance to learn about the peoples and cultures of the Arctic.

The report found that the population in the Arctic has stabilized around four millions. It is a region with high costs of living and experiencing increased tourism and natural resources development activities. There are also growing devolutionary pressures coming from regions towards central governments.

Low levels of educational achievement persist in the Arctic, and human health is a major concern. Direct and indirect effects of climate change, food safety, cost of living and mental health issues are dominating issues. Resource governance is also growing in complexity and, with globalization, there is increased pressure for resource development activities. Finally, this Second Report followed up on well-being issues of young people in the context of rapid changes in society and the environment.

D.   Fulbright Cooperation in the Arctic

Ms. Belinda Theriault, Executive Director of the Icelandic Fulbright Commission, made a presentation outlining the Fulbright Arctic Initiative which will give 17 scholars from all Arctic Council member states the opportunity to work together across academic and national boundaries. The initiative’s focus is on energy, water, health and infrastructure issues. Fulbright scholars will attend several Arctic meetings including the Arctic Circle in Reykjavik, Iceland, in October 2015.

E.   Conference of Parliamentarians of the Arctic Region 2016

The Russian delegation informed the Committee that the venue for the 12^th Conference of Parliamentarians of the Arctic Region (CPAR) will be in Ulan-Ude, near Lake Baikal (five-hours flight from Moscow). It will take place either at the end of August or the beginning of September 2016.

The four topics considered for the Conference are the following:

·         Economic Development;

·         Green Sustainable Growth;

·         Arctic Science; and

·         Human Dimension.

F.    Next Meeting of the Standing Committee of Parliamentarians of the Arctic Region

The next meeting of the SCPAR is scheduled for 3 December 2015 in the European Parliament, Brussels, Belgium.

Respectfully submitted,