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REGIONAL COORDINATORS COMMITTEE MEETING

Akureyri, Iceland, November 3-6, 2014

Northern Forum Regional Coordinators Committee Meeting - Draft Program_ENG

Northern Forum Regional Coordinators Committee Meeting - Draft Program_RUS

Northern Forum Regional Coordinators Committee Meeting - Registration Form_EN

Northern Forum Regional Coordinators Committee Meeting - Registration Form_RUS

MOSCOW, May 23 - RIA News. Moscow is in favor of forming an international partnership to preserve a zone of peace in the Arctic, Nikolai Korchunov, ambassador-at-large for the international cooperation in the Arctic, told RIA Novosti. "We are not in favor of confrontation and rivalry, but in cooperation and complementary efforts of each other, in forming an international partnership, including within the framework of the Arctic Council, in the interests of preserving the Arctic region as a zone of peace, stability and low military tension" he declared.

The diplomat, commenting on the statements of US officials, stressed that "Russia is pursuing an open, consistent policy in the region, based on the norms of international law, with a broad agenda for international cooperation in the interests of sustainable development, open, including to the participation of the United States." Earlier, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that Washington was concerned about the "Russian claims to international waters of the Northern Sea Route, including recently announced plans to connect it with the Chinese Sea Silk Road. He also declared that the requirements of Moscow were" illegitimate "in order for the Northern Sea Route to go through the ships other countries, calling them "part of Russia's overall aggressive behavior in the Arctic." In turn, US National Security Advisor to the President John Bolton said Wednesday that the United States would soon establish a year-round presence in the Arctic, when new American icebreakers will be put into operation. According to him, the US "coast guard will take the first step in restoring America’s leadership in the Arctic, which has long been ignored." The US Coast Guard, he said, will help Washington fight off Russia's growing influence in the Arctic and resist China’s unlawful claim to the status of a near-arctic country.

As we all know, the Arctic is one of the most important energy sources in the world. According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) the Arctic has about 13 % (90 billion barrels) of the world´s undiscovered conventional oil resources and 30 % of its undiscovered conventional natural gas resources. On the other hand, Arctic Regions are ideal source for renewable energy like hydro power, wind power and geothermal power. In coastal regions, tidal power is also available. In the most sparsely populated Arctic the main energy source is still diesel oil and in the northernmost regions of the Nordic countries the amount of renewable energies is about 90 % of energy and it is still increasing in the near future.

Turning the whole Arctic to use renewable energy is important part of the implementation of Paris Climate Agreement. It is also a big challenge for the regions, but worth of doing. Together with increasing renewable energy together with the energy efficiency, an important component for Arctic regions is formed, which aim is to develop their own communities. One way to solve these problems is making the regional energy strategy. This was also done in Lapland by Regional Council, back then, when the first regional energy strategy was accepted in 2009.

As an example, according to Lapland´s Energy Strategy, the trend in future’s energy consumption is above all dependent on the development of industry and the service sector in the Lapland. The future development such as the investments in the Tornio steel mill, mining projects and growing tourism, will increase energy consumption significantly. More renewable and low-emission energy production, especially, is also needed in Finland. On the other hand, energy efficiency and new technology solutions should be developed further. Lapland’s large energy resources make it possible to increase energy production in a sustainable way and the northern conditions lay a good base for development of new solutions and local know-how both in energy production and consumption.

Sustainability and self-sufficiency are commonly agreed visions in Lapland’s energy production. The aim is to utilize Lapland’s large energy resources, in order to develop the Lappish knowledge and regional economy and energy solutions, which supports Lapland’s vitality. Lapland’s investments are directed to competitive energy solutions, which also support means of livelihood and regional economy, making use of northern abilities and creativity. Energy resources are utilized respecting the environment and Lapland’s unique nature. Energy production in the future will also be more diverse based on several different production technologies and fuels, so that all the potential of the sustainable Arctic energy production will be utilized. The objective is that Lapland’s own know-how and business activities are supported so, that in the future Lapland will be known for its role as a developer and user of energy production and saving solutions, which are suitable for northern conditions.

Impacts on carbon dioxide emissions depend heavily on the quantity of bioenergy, which is used to replace the peat and coal. Without a huge increase in the use of biofuels, the carbon emissions both from power and heat production will be increasing in Lapland slightly from the current level by the year 2030. Efficient utilization of biofuels can reduce emissions by about 30–40 % from the current level. Referring to the Lapland’s regional energy strategy, by increasing the production of local renewable energy, supports this also significantly the aim of achieving the objectives of Finland’s and EU’s climate and renewable energy policy. However, in 2017 the LULUCF-process by the EU has complicated the Finnish plans and strategies to use biomass as source of energy. According to the EU, emissions of biomass used in energy will be both filed and counted for each Member State's 2030 climate commitments.

Key projects and actions in the Lapland´s Energy Strategy are bioenergy, use of biomass, bio fuels, woodchips and pellets, sustainable use of peat, wind power, hydro power and promotion of energy efficiency. The strategy underlines also the importance to develop wind power technology in Lapland, upgrading existing hydro power plants and building new plants, better energy efficiency information, energy efficient building and construction, which are sufficient for Arctic conditions and energy transfer and grid networks.

When put into practice, the commitments of the Paris Climate Agreement will be the most important contribution from the Member States in addressing climate change. At the same time, the implementation of the Arctic Council's “Framework for Action on Enhanced Black Carbon and Methane Emissions Reductions” (2015) will provide a much-needed additional measure. Finland encourages projects and actions, which are aimed to reduce emissions, facilitate adaptation, and raise awareness of climate change. The president of Finland, Mr. Sauli Niinistö has recently discussed with president Vladimir Putin and president Donald Trump about the importance of reducing black carbon in the Arctic. Using renewable energy and improving energy efficiency are also good ways to support this important policy.

Timo Rautajoki

Valajaskoski Hydro power plant

Suosiola Bio power plant

Kairatie Bio Power plant

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New publication: The European Union and the Arctic – Developments and Perspectives 2010 – 2014 has just become available.      The report analyses the policy statements on Arctic issues released from 2010 by the EU institutions and the EU's role-building in the Arctic political framework, notably the Arctic Council. (via Norden) It describes how the EU's role in the Arctic is seen in strategies and policy

The Northern Forum Organisation has established a formal association, the Northern Forum Foundation.

The Northern Forum Foundation operates according to Icelandic Act no. 119/2019 on non-profit organisations, registered in Akureyri, Iceland, operating across borders.

The purpose and objectives of Northern Forum Foundation is to raise funding, fund and support activities and projects that benefit sustainable development and better living for the people and peoples of the North and their societies, including in: education; culture; innovation; responsible business development; empowering the youth; health; science and for the environment; as per the objectives and strategy of the Northern Forum Organisation and as agreed by its members.

The Northern Forum Foundation intends to achieve its purpose and objectives by raising funds based on its merits from the Global international community, private and public, including: individuals; organisations; associations; companies and governments; through funding applications, fundraising campaigns, sponsoring agreements and partnerships based on active communication, outreach activities and events, executed in coherence with the objectives and strategy of the Northern Forum.

Governor of Lapland, Finland, Mr. Mika Riipi, Chair of the Northern Forum Organisation, is the Chair of the Northern Forum Foundation.

The Northern Forum Foundation is hosted by the Arctic Portal.org at Radhustorg 7, Akureyri, Iceland, and managed by directors Mr. Halldor Johannsson and Mr. Vladimir Vasilev, the executive secretary of the Northern Forum Organisation.

For further information please contact:

Halldór Jóhannsson

tel. +3548992828

The final meeting of the Northern Forum Regional Coordinators Committee, as agreed with the Organizing Committee of the XIV International Forum Arctic: Today and the Future in honor of Artur Chilingarov, will be held in St. Petersburg on December 13 as part of the Forum.

Edward Alexander - Co-chair, Gwich’in Council International

Elena Manaenkova - Deputy Secretary-General World Meteorological Institute

Jane Rumble - Head of UK Polar Regions Department

Vladimir Vasiliev - Acting Executive Director, Northern Forum

Petteri Vuorimäki - Ambassador and Senior Arctic Official for Finland

The Northern Forum's Walter Hickel Medal was established in accordance with the Resolution № 169 upon the initiative of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) with the purpose of encouraging and appreciating the most distinguished people of the North for their contribution to the development of the regions and the Northern Forum.

Walter Hickel was twice the Governor of Alaska (1966-1969, 1990, 1994), Secretary of the Interior in Richard Nixon's Administration, and the First Chair of the Northern Forum (1992-1994). He made an outstanding contribution to the establishment and development of the Northern Forum. The Northern Forum became the first organization of regions which gave an incentive to the establishment of a number of large international organizations and the beginning of real cooperation in order to achieve sustainable development of the Arctic and the North.

The regulations of Walter Hickel Medal

Walter Hickel Medal Honours List

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