Aaja Chemnitz Larsen valgt som formand for Den Arktiske Parlamentariker Komité

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Den Arktiske Delegation
Til: Delegationens medlemmer
Dato: 5. maj 2021
Aaja Chemnitz Larsen valgt som formand for Den Arktiske
Parlamentariker Komité
Aaja Chemnitz Larsen, IA blev på den arktiske parlamentariker kongres i april
valgt som formand for Den Arktiske Parlamentariker Komité/ Standing Com-
mittee of Parliamentarians of the Arctic Region.
Som næstformand blev US senator Lisa Murkowski, Alaska valgt.
Dermed er det Folketinget og Den Amerikanske Kongres som kommer til at
stå i spidsen for det arktiske parlamentariske samarbejde i de kommende år.
Programmet for kongressen er vedhæftet.
Sluterklæring fra Den Arktiske Parlamentariker Kongres
Medlemmerne af parlamentarikersamarbejdet vedtog enstemmigt den ved-
hæftede sluterklæring, som har samme overskrifter som hovedtemaerne på
konferencen, der blev afholdt digitalt: Covid19, samarbejde om social og
sundhedsspørgsmål, bærekraftig erhvervsudvikling og klimaforandringer i
Arktis.
Af de temaer som behandles i sluterklæringen kan særligt fremhæves to:
1. Opfordringen til de arktiske lande og Arktisk Råd om at styrke klimaindsat-
sen frem imod klimakonferencen i Glasgow senere i år.
2. Forslaget om et nyt internationalt polar-år.
Sluterklæringen er rettet til de arktiske landes regeringer, EU og Arktisk Råd
og har modtaget dette som mail. I 2022 om efteråret er det Rigsfællesskabet/
Folketinget, som har værtskabet for den arktiske parlamentariker kongres i
Grønland.
Den Arktiske Delegation 2020-21
AD Alm.del - Bilag 11
Offentligt
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Arktisk Råds udenrigsministermøde d. 19.- 20. maj
Næste opgave for komitéens formandskab bliver at deltage som observatør i
Arktisk Råds udenrigsministermøde, hvor Aaja vil deltage online på grund af
corona-restriktionerne.
Arktisk parlamentariker komite
Komitéen blev oprettet i 1993 og består af medlemmer valgt fra hver af de 8
arktiske stater. USA, Canada, Rusland, Danmark/Grønland/Færøerne, Sveri-
ge, Norge, Island, Finland og Europa- Parlamentet. Dertil kommer repræsen-
tation fra EU, Vestnordisk Råd, Nordisk Råd samt faste repræsentanter fra
de oprindelige folk i Arktis. Komitéen har fokus de spørgsmål som særligt
påvirker tilværelsen i Arktis: klimaforandringer, oprindelige folks rettigheder,
infrastruktur, digitalisering, uddannelse og erhvervsudvikling m.v.. Medlem-
merne mødes 3-4 gange årligt. Hvert andet år afholdes en større konference.
På konferencen fastsættes en række fælles anbefalinger til Arktisk Råd og de
arktiske regeringer. Det var Den Arktiske Parlamentariker Komité, som oprin-
deligt tog initiativ til Arktisk Råd og senere Det Arktiske Universitetssamar-
bejde (U - Arctic).
Hjemmeside
Den Arktiske Parlamentariker Komité har netop i dag offentliggjort en ny
hjemmeside som kan ses her:
https://arcticparl.org/
Med venlig hilsen
Peder H. Pedersen
Chefkonsulent
Generalsekretær, Arktisk Parlamentariker Komité


14th Conference of Parliamentarians
of the Arctic Region
DIGITAL CONFERENCE 13 – 14 APRIL 2021
Den Arktiske Delegation 2020-21
AD Alm.del - Bilag 11
Offentligt
13 APRIL
14:00 Opening of the Conference
MsTone Wilhelmsen Trøen, President of the Storting
Ms Aili Keskitalo, President of the Sami Parliament of
Norway
Moderator: Mr Eirik Sivertsen, MP, Norway
14:20 Reports
Report from the Icelandic Chairmanship of the Arctic
Council
Mr Guðlaugur Þór Þórðarson, Minister of Foreign Affairs
Report from the Standing Committee of Parliamentarians of
the Arctic Region
Mr Eirik Sivertsen, Chair of the Standing Committee
Presentation of the youth panel’s report to the Norwegian
Government’s White Paper on a new Arctic Strategy
Ms Aurora S. Møllersen and Mr Martin Tjelde Haga
Moderator: Ms Margunn Ebbesen, MP, Norway
15:30 Break
15:40 The impact of Covid-19 in the Arctic
Economic and Societal Consequences of Covid-19
Senator Lisa Murkowski, USA
The situation in Greenland and the impact on Indigenous
Peoples
Ms Aaja Chemnitz Larsen, MP, Denmark/Greenland
Report from the Arctic Council on Covid-19
Ms Eydis Kristin Sveinbjarnardottir, Chair, Arctic Human
Health Expert Group, Arctic Council
Discussion
Moderator: Ms Else-May Norderhus, MP, Norway
16:40 Break
16:45 The Arctic in 2050
Introductory speech
Ms Ine Eriksen Søreide, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Norway
Panel
Ms Maria Grånemo, member of Barents Regional
Youth Council, Sweden
Ms Niina Pietikäinen, CEO of Harriniva Hotels & Safaris
operating in Muonio, Lapland, Finland
Ms Erin Linklater, Co-Chair of the Gwich’in Council
International
Ms Ine Eriksen Søreide, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Norway
Discussion
Moderator: Eirik Sivertsen, MP, Norway
18:00 End of day one
14 APRIL
14:00 Arctic Climate Change
Mr Rasmus Benestad, Researcher, Norwegian
Meteorological Institute
Mr Andreas Schwab, Chair of the European Parliament’s
Delegation for Northern cooperation, relations with
Switzerland, Norway, the EU-Iceland JPC and the EEA JPC
Mr Eirik Sivertsen, Chair of the Standing Committee of
Parliamentarians of the Arctic Region
Discussion
Moderator: Ms Margunn Ebbesen, MP, Norway
15:30 Break
15:40 Sustainable Arctic Business
Status of Economic Activities in the Arctic
Mr Mads Qvist Frederiksen, Director, Arctic Economic
Council
Arctic Business Development from a Russian Perspective
Senator Yury Vazhenin, Federal Assembly of the Russian
Federation
Presentation of two Norwegian business cases:
- ArcticZymes Technologies ASA
- Dr Olav Lanes, Director R&D and Applications.
- Ms Inger Anita Smuk, Sámi reindeer herder and
- owner of Varjnárga Mobile Slaughterhouse & Processing,
- Varanger.
Discussion
Moderator: Mr Svein Harberg, MP, Norway
17:00 Break
17:05 Closing of conference
Presentation of Conference Statement
Presentation by host of conference in 2022
17:30 End of Conference


CONFERENCE OF PARLIAMENTARIANS OF THE ARCTIC REGION
THE STANDING COMMITTEE OF PARLIAMENTARIANS OF THE ARCTIC REGION
14th Conference of Parliamentarians of the Arctic Region
Digital Conference 13 - 14 April 2021
CONFERENCE STATEMENT
The Conference of Parliamentarians of the Arctic Region envision the Arctic as a region of
peace, stability and low tension where nations act responsibly, and where economic and
energy resources are developed in a sustainable, transparent manner respecting the
environment and the interests and cultures of all inhabitants of the Arctic, especially
Indigenous peoples.
We congratulate the Arctic Council with its 25th anniversary as the primary forum for Arctic
cooperation and its proven ability to maintain a constructive and positive spirit. We
encourage the stronger inclusion of youth representatives, strengthened cooperation with
the Arctic Indigenous peoples, and constructive cooperation with existing and new
observers.
We congratulate the University of the Arctic, UArctic, with its 20th anniversary and take
pride in having supported the creation and its successful development since the inception.
We firmly underline the importance of international law in the Arctic, especially the United
Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which provides the essential
multilateral legal framework for all ocean activities, including in the Arctic.
As elected representatives from Canada, Denmark/Greenland, European Union, Finland,
Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden and the United States of America, and in close
collaboration with the Indigenous peoples of the Arctic, we highlight the following:
Climate change in the Arctic
We see with grave concern that the Arctic is warming at a rate more than twice that of the
global average, resulting in rapid social, environmental, and economic impacts, not only in
the region but worldwide. The peoples of the Arctic are dramatically experiencing the effects
of this change, and need support and resources to adapt to these profound changes.
Den Arktiske Delegation 2020-21
AD Alm.del - Bilag 11
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We call on the governments of the Arctic region to:
Renew and increase their 2015 Paris Agreement commitments at the Conference of the
Parties (COP 26) in Glasgow, with the understanding that climate change is a critical threat
to our planet.
Take a leading role in the work to forge an ambitious climate action plan for the Arctic,
addressing emissions cuts of greenhouse gases globally and in Arctic States, especially CO2
and black carbon, and adaptation to climate change while supporting innovative solutions
relevant to the Arctic, which will protect the people in the region.
Strengthen the knowledge base and improve scientific cooperation with a new International
Polar Year Initiative. In close cooperation with the World Metrological Organization and
other main polar science organizations such as the Scientific Committee on Antarctic
Research and the Arctic Science Partnership, the International Arctic Science Committee,
International Arctic Social Sciences Association and University of the Arctic, with focus on
extensive interdisciplinary and multilateral scientific programs that include Northerners and
Indigenous peoples in the planning and conducting of scientific activities.
Continually consider new technologies to reduce carbon emissions in pursuit of ambitious
climate action.
Sustainable Economic Development
Sustainable economic development is fundamental for the future of the Arctic region and
requires close cooperation between government, academia and business representatives.
We stress the importance of financial institutions for the development of the Arctic as a key
instrument for sustainable development of the region, including enhancement of socio-
economic conditions, modernization of industries, and development of infrastructure across
borders, while respecting Arctic ecosystem boundaries.
Underscore the importance of promoting the use of renewable energy in remote Arctic
communities and encourage further work on innovative energy solutions and related
capacity construction in the Arctic aimed at climate change prevention taking into account
the needs of the increasingly electrifying society.
Acknowledge the need to support small and medium size business in the Arctic as well as
develop large-scale projects in a sustainable responsible manner in order to ensure overall
progress, increase employment rate and enhance living standards of the Arctic inhabitants.
We call on the governments of the Arctic region to;
Increase the accessibility of digital infrastructure in the Arctic, thereby promoting
entrepreneurship, innovation and diversify economic development in the Arctic.
Strengthen the cooperation with the Arctic Economic Council and ensure the
implementation of the Arctic Investment Protocol.
The Peoples of the Arctic
Urbanization is making the Arctic a more interesting place for young people to live as it
offers better services, education and leisure opportunities. However, the impact of the
COVID-19 pandemic is difficult, with the loss of employment and health concerns. COVID-19
has shown that medical resources and infrastructure available in parts of the Arctic is poorer
than in the southern regions.
We call on the governments of the Arctic region to:
Strongly strengthen the cooperation on public health in order to increase the exchange of
knowledge and foster greater awareness and better response to the health issues of
circumpolar peoples.
Incorporate voices of the youth in venues and engagements organised for Arctic
cooperation.
Support the youth cooperation across the borders and ensure a meaningful engagement of
the Arctic youth in the activity of the Conference of Parliamentarians of the Arctic region.
Strengthen the funding of orth2 orth a d other obility progra s especially directed at
young people living in the Arctic.
Base all activities in the Arctic Region on the respect of the rights of Indigenous peoples.
Facilitate contacts between people in the region by simplifying the visa regime and ensuring
freedom of movement of the citizens of the Arctic states.
Strengthen the cooperation and dialogue on security issues in order to address the global
and regional challenges and key risks and threats of today, including COVID-19 pandemic.
Underscore the importance to maintain peace, stability and low tension in the Arctic region;
acknowledge the need to strengthen the cooperation and dialogue between the Arctic
states on security issues, in order to address the global and regional challenges, key risks and
threats of today.