Briefing for the Ambassadors resident in Oslo from the Arctic Council Member States

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In general:

• The White Paper (The High North – Visions and strategies) will be debated in a plenary session in the Storting on 17 April.
• The White Paper is treated by the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence. The Committee has the time until 11 April to deliver its comments and recommendations.

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• The Foreign Ministry has established a group of experts, headed by Finn Bergesen jr., which will examine challenges and opportunities for Norway following the increased maritime activity in the North and the opening of new sailing routes.
• The group will deliver a report with recommendations in April 2013.

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• MoU on the strengthening of UK-Norway cooperation on polar research and cultural heritage signed last December.
• Cooperative activities include studies on the  ecosystem of the Southern Ocean, Arctic research and conservation of the shared cultural heritage at South Georgia and in the Antarctica

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• MoU between Norway and Iceland from September last year to broaden the scope of Norwegian-Icelandic cooperation on Arctic research.
• Key activities include a professorship on Arctic studies in Akureyri, grants for Icelandic students for studies at Svalbard and cooperation on Arctic research.

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Some projects (among others):

• INTSOK’s “RU-NO Barents” project. Norwegian-Russian project supported by MFA (up to 6 NOK millions over 3 years). A number of industrial participants (Norway and Russia as well as international companies). Main aim to assess the gap between the technology currently available and the technology needed for extracting oil and gas resources in the Barents Sea in an environmentally sound and safe manner.
• Research on Russia and the High North. Over a period of five years, a total of 105 NOK millions will be divided as follows: 45 NOK millions to research on Russia, 45 NOK millions to research on the High North and 15 NOK millions to studies that assess the implications of the increased Asian interest in the High North. The funds will be channelled through the Research Council.
• “Barents Oil and Gas Cluster”: Transfer of knowledge and experience from Norway (Rogaland) to Murmansk and Arkhangelsk on how to build up an international petroleum industry. Project headed by Greater Stavanger, with Troms, Finnmark, Murmansk and Arkhangelsk counties as main partners. MFA support 2.6 NOK millions to the first phase of the 3 year project.
• “Circumpolar knowledge sharing”. DNV. Continuation of the DNV-Gazprom Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) project. Aim is to communicate the results and experience from this Norwegian-Russian project to other circumpolar states with a view to harmonizing the HSE-standards for off-shore petroleum activity in the Arctic. MFA support 3.8 NOK millions over 2 years.

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Following-up issues after the NUUK meeting:

• On permanent observers and China: Norway is looking forward to a constructive political dialogue with China on Arctic issues and other important issues of interest to both countries.
• Norway continues to support China’s application for permanent observer status in the Arctic Council.
• We hope to have a dialogue with China on this issue, as we have with other candidate countries.
• On the Secretariat: We are working hard to implement the decision from the Nuuk Ministerial to establish a permanent Arctic Council secretariat in Tromsø.
• Aim is to be operational no later than at the beginning of the Canadian chairmanship in May 2013.
• This includes a Host Country Agreement on privileges and immunities, Term of Reference, Staff Rules, Budget, etc.
• The new secretariat will be a major strengthening of the capacity of the Arctic Council.

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International instrument on Arctic marine oil pollution preparedness and response:

• Norway, Russia and the US are co-chairing the work to develop an international instrument on Arctic marine oil pollution preparedness and response.
• The third meeting was held last week in Alaska. Pleased to note the progress so far.
• The instrument will cover all kinds of oil spills and most likely be a binding agreement.
• An excellent follow up of the Agreement on Search and Rescue in the Arctic signed in Nuuk last year.

Climate change:

• The Arctic is currently in a period of rapid change caused by drivers like climate change, demographic change and increased global demand for resources.
• Time has come for a comprehensive assessment of the effect on Arctic communities as a tool to prepare for the future. Mitigation important, but need to prepare adaptation strategies.
• Hope to get agreement among all Arctic states on starting the new project “Actions for a Changing Arctic”.

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• [Finally, the Minister commented on the visit of HR Ashton to Svalbard a few weeks ago (one main issue: research, knowledge), and on his visit to the European Parliament (AFET) 22 March].
• [Questions, discussion].