Question: To which country the Chairmanship of Arctic Council was passed at the 11th Arctic Council Ministerial Meeting?
(a) Finland
(b) Germany
(c) Iceland
(d) Ireland
Answer: (c)
Related facts:
- The 11th Arctic Council Ministerial meeting took place on 7th May, 2019 at Rovaniemi, Finland.
- Minister-level representatives from the eight Arctic States reviewed and approved work completed under the two-year Finnish Chairmanship to improve sustainable development and environmental protection in the Arctic.
- Foreign Ministers from the eight Arctic States, leaders from the six indigenous Permanent Participant organizations and the Chairs of the Council’s six Working Groups convened at the 11th Arctic Council Ministerial Meeting in Rovaniemi, Finland
- The Chairmanship of the council was passed to Iceland from Finland in this meeting. Finland was the Chairman of this council for 2 years.
- In the Rovaniemi Joint Ministerial Statement, the Arctic States reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to maintain the Arctic as a region of peace, stability and constructive cooperation.
- At the Ministerial meeting, the Council welcomed the International Maritime Organization as new Observer.
- India has been re-elected as an observer to the Arctic Council.
- Observer status in the Arctic Council is open to Non-Arctic states along with inter-governmental, inter-parliamentary, global, regional and non-governmental organizations that the Council determines can contribute to its work.
Finland`s two year achievement:
- Finland placed a special emphasis for the Council’s work on environmental protection, meteorological cooperation, connectivity, and education. The accomplishments included projects on oil spill prevention, preparedness and response, on teacher education for diversity and equality in the Arctic and a series of health-related projects aimed at improving the health and mental wellness of Arctic inhabitants.
- Major reports released on or around the Ministerial meeting included the Arctic Climate Change Update, 2019, the State of the Arctic Freshwater Biodiversity Report etc.
Arctic Council:
- The Arctic Council is the leading intergovernmental forum promoting cooperation, coordination and interaction among the Arctic States, Arctic indigenous communities and other Arctic inhabitants on common Arctic issues, in particular on issues of sustainable development and environmental protection in the Arctic.
- As per the Ottawa Declaration; Canada, the Kingdom of Denmark, Finland, Iceland Norway, the Russian Federation, Sweden and the United States are six organizations representing Arctic indigenous peoples having status as Permanent Participants.
Links:
https://www.arctic-council.org/index.php/en/our-work2/8-news-and-events/512-rovaniemi-ministerial-11
https://arctic-council.org/index.php/en/our-work2/8-news-and-events/521-arctic-council-ministers-meet-pass-chairmanship-from-finland-to-iceland
https://arctic-council.org/index.php/en/about-us