Arctic Council in Action: Productive Week of Meetings in Reykjavík

Once again this year, the Arctic Circle Assembly brought together Arctic leaders and stakeholders in Reykjavík, offering the Arctic Council Chairship an opportunity for a busy week of diplomacy in action, as well as collaboration and communication across its networks. Highlights included formal meetings with all Indigenous Permanent Participants and the Chairs and Secretariats of the Council's six Working Groups. The Chair was also grateful that colleagues from the Russian Association of Indigenous Peoples, and the new Russian Chair of the Protection of the Arctic Marine Environment Working Group were able to join the meetings virtually. The Chairship conducted nearly 30 bilateral meetings with Arctic States, Permanent Participants, Observer States, experts, media representatives, and other key actors-reaffirming the Council's role as the primary forum for Arctic cooperation and dialogue.

"As representatives of the Arctic states and Senior Arctic Officials, it's critical that we maintain close dialogue with Permanent Participants, Working Groups and the broader Arctic Council family. The very foundation of the Arctic Council is built on inclusive decision-making, with Permanent Participants playing a central role in shaping the Council's direction. Likewise, the Working Groups form the backbone of the Council's work. Without open and consistent communication with them, we wouldn't be able to fulfil our mandate effectively. In fact, it is our duty to further strengthen the communication and collaboration within the Council," said Høegh, Chair of the Arctic Council for the Kingdom of Denmark.

While official meetings of the Arctic Council on a diplomatic level are paused, Chairship meetings with the Permanent Participants and subsidiary bodies were initiated during the Norwegian Chairship (2023-2025). The Kingdom of Denmark continues to host these meetings and regularly engages with all Arctic States, Permanent Participants, Working Groups and Observers. The aim is to strengthen effective communication, collaboration, and alignment across the Council.

"Consultations with the Permanent Participants and the Working Groups are vital and indispensable. I personally rely on their guidance, and so do my fellow Senior Arctic Officials. As diplomats we don't have all the answers. It's those who are on the ground, who live the Arctic reality every day, who provide the insights we need to make informed decisions," said Kenneth Høegh.