Who is the observer member of the Arctic Council?

India
India has been re-elected as an observer to the Arctic Council, tweeted Madhavan Rajeevan, secretary to the Union Ministry of Earth Sciences. The eight-member grouping of nations that have territories in the Arctic.

Who can become member of Arctic Council?

Members of the Arctic Council: Ottawa Declaration declares Canada, the Kingdom of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, the Russian Federation, Sweden and the United States of America as a member of the Arctic Council.

How does the Arctic Council function?

The Arctic Council is the leading intergovernmental forum promoting cooperation, coordination and interaction among the Arctic States, Arctic Indigenous peoples and other Arctic inhabitants on common Arctic issues, in particular on issues of sustainable development and environmental protection in the Arctic.

Are there any observers to the Arctic Council?

Decisions at all levels in the Arctic Council are the exclusive right and responsibility of the eight Arctic States with the involvement of the Permanent Participants. Observers shall be invited to the meetings of the Arctic Council once observer status has been granted.

What are the rules of procedure for Arctic Council?

The Arctic Council Rules of Procedure, with attention to items 36, 37 and 38, as well as to Annex 2, which contains sections on “Accreditation and Review of Observers” and “Criteria for Admitting Observers”. The Arctic Council Observer Manual for Subsidiary Bodies, with attention to items 4.3, 6 and 7.1.

How many non Arctic countries are on the Arctic Council?

Observer status is open to non-Arctic states approved by the Council at the Ministerial Meetings that occur once every two years. Observers have no voting rights in the Council. As of May 2019, thirteen non-Arctic states have Observer status.

What are the main goals of the Arctic Council?

The main goal of Arctic Council is to promote various levels of cooperation, coordination among the Arctic States, indigenous communities and other Arctic inhabitants on the common Arctic to discuss and resolve issues on sustainable development and environmental protection in the Arctic.