BEAC Barents Euro Arctic Council : “What happens in the Arctic does not stay in the Arctic“

27.1.2017

Arctic Frontiers offered interesting debates from the political, environmental, industrial, scientific and non-governmental points of view.

During five days in January more than 1400 scientists, politicians, journalists, business and NGO representatives met to discuss development and research in the Arctic. Among this year's keynote speakers were the Prime Ministers of Norway and Finland as well as the Foreign Ministers of Sweden, Norway and Iceland.

Erna Solberg argued that what comes to climate gas emissions, producing oil on the Norwegian continental shelf is in most cases more environmentally friendly than producing oil at a low-cost field in the Middle East. Solberg added that there is a clear security aspect to oil production as well since oil supply brings political stability.

Juha Sipilä stated that Finland is successful because of the Arctic climate, not in spite of it. Sipilä outlined the priorities for the upcoming Finnish Chairmanship in the Arctic Council 2017-2019: environmental protection, connectivity, meteorology and education. He said that the role of the EU in the development of the Arctic will be strengthened and the awareness of the EU's arctic resources raised among the arctic stakeholders. Sipilä also pointed out Finland's interest in promoting the building of a telecommunication cable between Europe and Asia via the North-East Passage.

Margot Wahlström stated that combatting climate change in all possible forms is Sweden's top priority in arctic policy. Wahlström highlighted that in this age of populism and protectionism it is of utmost importance to continue and develop multilateral cooperation, especially those cooperation formats that include Russia.

Nina Jensen, Head of WWF Norway and Ingrid Skjoldvær, Head of Nature and Youth Norway underlined that the effects of political decisions concerning the Arctic last much longer than politicians' four years in office. Decisions need to be based on long-term solutions. Unfortunately, current politicians seem to ignore those results of scientific research which do not suit their purposes. Both speakers stressed that oil drilling should play no role when managing the resources in the North and that environmental catastrophes do not know borders: what happens in the Arctic does not stay in the Arctic.

EU Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Karmenu Vella stated that the EU will allocate 1,5 billion euros to the European Arctic during 2014-2020. The high-level Arctic Stakeholder Forum will be held in Oulu, Finland in mid-June 2017.

In Arctic Frontiers, Barents cooperation was mentioned as a prime example of regions' possibilities to not only participate in national decision-making, but also in international cooperation. Barents was discussed more thoroughly in the Talking Barents panel session.

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