Arctic Economic Council Opens Permanent Secretariat Office in Norway

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Arctic Economic Council

Sep 10, 2015, 08:37 ET

TROMSO, Norway, Sept. 10, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- On Tuesday, September 8, 2015, together with the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Arctic Economic Council (AEC) raised their flag in Tromso, Norway, symbolizing the establishment and opening of their permanent secretariat office.

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AEC Chair, Tara Sweeney, and Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Borge Brende, raise their flag in Tromso, Norway symbolizing the establishment and opening of their permanent secretariat office. Photo taken directly from the AEC twitter page, @ArcticEcom.
AEC Chair, Tara Sweeney, and Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Borge Brende, raise their flag in Tromso, Norway symbolizing the establishment and opening of their permanent secretariat office. Photo taken directly from the AEC twitter page, @ArcticEcom.

Speaking to a crowd of international dignitaries, the Norwegian Minster of Foreign Affairs, Borge Brende, spoke of the importance of international cooperation, "If we are going to make the high north our most innovative region, we are dependent upon cooperation with others."  On the establishment of the AEC and the secretariat, he said, "This is a historical event and breakthrough" in Arctic affairs.

AEC chair, and Alaska Native, Tara Sweeney, said, "Today marks the placeholder along the timeline of Arctic history to where our member states can pinpoint as the start to a new way of doing business in the Arctic."

Speaking about regional development and non-Arctic interests, Sweeney explained, "Arctic residents, communities and businesses should not be viewed as mere tools to achieve an organizational goal, but rightly viewed as experts and potential partners.   This new way, the AEC way, will stand on the principles of collaboration, partnership, innovation and peace."

The AEC delegates developed five overarching themes of focus:

  1. Establishing strong market connections between the Arctic states
  2. Encouraging public-private partnerships for infrastructure investments
  3. Creating stable and predictable regulatory frameworks
  4. Facilitating knowledge and data exchange between industry and academia
  5. Traditional indigenous knowledge, stewardship and a focus on small business

Under the U.S. chairmanship, the AEC will focus on four key areas that include maritime and telecommunication infrastructure; responsible energy and economic development in the Arctic; promoting stable and predictable regulatory frameworks; and Arctic stewardship.

There are three established working groups focused on maritime transportation and infrastructure, Arctic stewardship and responsible resource development.  Parties interested in serving on a working group or partnering with the AEC should submit their letter of interests to [email protected].

ABOUT THE AEC

Established by the Arctic Council under the chairmanship of Canada, the AEC is an independent business form established to facilitate Arctic business-to-business activities, promote responsible economic development and provide a circumpolar business perspective to the work of the Arctic Council.  The inaugural meeting was held in September 2014 in Iqaluit, Nunavut Canada.  It has a 42-member board from eight Arctic states and six permanent participant organizations.  Finland will assume the chairmanship from the U.S. in 2017.

CONTACT:
Bianca Johansen
[email protected]

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150910/265580
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SOURCE Arctic Economic Council