In addition to celebrating Arctic Council’s 20th anniversary in 2016, the U.S. is now in its second year chairing this high-level circumpolar forum for political discussions on common issues to the governments of the Arctic States and its inhabitants.  The U.S. chairmanship theme, One Arctic: Shared Opportunities, Challenges & Responsibilities reflects the U.S. commitment, with international cooperation, to protect the marine environment, conserve Arctic biodiversity, improve conditions in Arctic communities, and address the rapidly changing climate in the Arctic.

UAA’s very own former Chancellor, Fran Ulmer, is a member of the U.S. Chairmanship team where she serves as Special Advisor to the U.S. Secretary of State on Arctic Science and Policy.

Canada, Denmark (including Greenland and the Faroe Islands), Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, the Russian Federation, and the U.S. comprise the Council’s eight member Arctic States.  In addition, six Permanent Participants, organizations that represent Indigenous Peoples, are also members.  The chairmanship of the Arctic Council rotates every two years among the Arctic States; in 2015, the U.S. took over the two-year Chairmanship rotation from Canada.

For more information, press releases of the U.S. accomplishments and goals for its chairmanship, and much more, click here.