Punkter fra kyststatsmøte i Ottawa

Representatives of the five Arctic Ocean coastal states – Canada, Denmark/Greenland, Norway, the Russian Federation and the United States of America – met at the ministerial level in Chelsea, Canada on 29 March 2010.

Check against delivery.

The Minister based his addresses on the following speaking points (abstract):  

• Arctic climate change, increased access to the Arctic and increased interest also from non-Arctic states underline the growing importance of the Arctic Council.
• The Arctic is becoming more accessible due to climate change. As activity in the region increases, Arctic Ocean coastal states will be most directly affected by new public safety challenges.
• Arctic Ocean coastal states are fully engaged in working towards the development of a legally binding Arctic Search and Rescue instrument in the Arctic Council, and are committed to working towards its completion by the 2011 Arctic Council Ministerial meeting.
• Important to continue to have meetings between the Arctic Coastal States when needed on specific issues, for example on fisheries in Oslo in June. The Arctic-eight-format is not appropriate for some issues, like the continental shelf and fisheries.
• The Arctic Council secretariat established in Tromsø for the Norwegian, Danish and Swedish chairman­ships 2006-2013 should be made permanent. And we should continue strengthenening the political profile by mid-term meetings at political level.
• Non-Arctic states have legitimate interests in issues like for example shipping. They have to be part of the solution for tackling issues like climate change and transboundary pollution. I believe it is better to have them at tour table as observers.

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• The retreat of the Arctic sea ice is creating opportunities for commercial activities such as utilisation of the natural resources of the Arctic Ocean.
• These new activities might be further ahead than many expect. Our knowledge about the Arctic Ocean is limited, and conditions there will be harsh even without summer ice. However, new activities may start up, and they will have to be managed by the Arctic states in order to protect the environment and ensure sustainability.
• Long-term conservation and sustainable use based on scientific knowledge and an ecosystem-based approach are key principles of management of natural resources globally. These principles must also apply to the Arctic Ocean.
• There are no fisheries in the Arctic Ocean today. However, we know that climate change may lead to changes in the migration patterns of important fish stocks bringing them into the Arctic Ocean.
• As coastal states bordering the Arctic Ocean and as parties to the UN Fish Stocks Agreement, we share responsibilities for the conservation and management of the fisheries resources in this ocean. Fisheries management in the Arctic Ocean should follow the same rules and principles as management in other areas, including the regional and precautionary approach outlined in the Fish Stocks Agreement.
• I think it would be beneficial for the five coastal states to discuss in some more detail how we can implement the provisions of the Fish Stocks Agreement that are applicable to the current and future situation in the Arctic Ocean. The precautionary principle and the provisions related to scientific knowledge are of particular relevance. At this stage, it would thus be useful to focus on exchanging scientific information, discussing knowledge gaps and possible future developments, and sharing views on future management issues. For this purpose Norway would be happy to host a meeting in Oslo in June this year to provide an opportunity for experts to discuss relevant issues and expand our common understanding of the current situation and likely future developments.
• The Arctic region is the world’s largest unexplored prospective area for petroleum. Thus, the Arctic may emerge as a new oil and gas region, a complex challenge given the fragile Arctic environment. Estimates indicate that large volumes of oil and gas may be found in the area – especially offshore. These energy resources may be vital for future world energy supplies and could provide significant income and local employment opportunities.
• We still need to develop new technology for operations under Arctic conditions. The investments required will be considerable, and increasing use of unconventional gas, particularly shale gas, could delay developments in the Arctic.
• But we see the direction. Our responsibility will be to approach these opportunities step by step – building on solid knowledge of what it takes to safeguard sustainability.
• Norway subscribes to the highest possible health, safety and environmental standards.
• Further, our regime has been based on coexistence with other interests at sea, such as fisheries and sea transport. We have adopted an integrated management plan for our northernmost sea areas.
• The plan takes a comprehensive, step-by-step approach to the development of petroleum resources in the High North, taking vulnerable areas and total impact into consideration.
• Norway supports the work being done by the Arctic Council on energy resource management, not least the work on guidelines for offshore petroleum activities in the Arctic. This work is a fine opportunity to exchange views and knowledge on national practices concerning petroleum activities in the North.
• Sustainable management is demanding. We should improve our mechanisms for sharing best practices. During the Norwegian chairmanship of the Arctic Council, we started with best practices for ecosystems-based management. We should now continue with more specific aspects of petroleum management. Our various systems for impact assessments could be the next step.
• Another important step could be facilitating cooperation within the industry in our respective countries. We have co-financed a joint Russian-Norwegian project on the harmonisation of industry standards for health, safety and environment for oil and gas operations in the Barents Sea. Partners in the project include DNV, Statoil and Gazprom, as well as a number of other Norwegian and Russian participants. This is a good example of our partnership with Russia. We are eager to develop this in a wider regional context.
• Petroleum activity and the related transport needs will increase the risk of accidents. Oil spills and other accidents are particularly difficult to handle in the Arctic. It is therefore crucial to reduce this risk.
• The last Arctic Council Ministerial approved a new project on the development of safety systems in connection with the implementation of economic and infrastructure projects in the Arctic. Norway will assist Russia in bringing this important work forward.
• We encourage a forward-looking dialogue on emerging Arctic Ocean energy matters and support a meeting between our energy experts on the margins of the World Energy Congress in Montreal in September.
• To sum up my key points: (1) The principles of long-term conservation and sustainable use must also apply to the Arctic Ocean. (2) Norway would be happy to host a meeting in Oslo in June to provide an opportunity for our experts to discuss implementation of the Fish Stocks Agreement in the Arctic Ocean. (3) The development of petroleum resources in the Arctic should be based on an integrated ocean management approach with the highest possible health, safety, and environmental standards.

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• As the Arctic Ocean undergoes change, a solid knowledge base – built on Arctic science, research and traditional knowledge – will be critical for sound, long-term analysis and policy-making. We will want to further encourage the excellent work underway, including the Arctic Council’s efforts to ensure a strong legacy to the International Polar Year, and facilitate access to both land and marine areas of the Arctic, consistent with international and national law, to strengthen cooperation amongst our scientific communities. Arctic Ocean coastal states have an important stewardship role in the region. By looking ahead, we are better placed to build a region that can fulfill its true potential and to ensure that change benefits its inhabitants.