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APPENDIX 1CONFERENCE OF PARLIAMENTARIANS OF THE ARCTIC REGION THE STANDING COMMITTEE OF PARLIAMENTARIANS OF THE ARCTIC REGION MEETING IN HELSINKI 20 November 2014 Venue: Parliament Annex, Auditorium, Arkadiankatu 3
Draft minutes
1. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA AND THE PROPOSED ORDER OF AGENDA ITEMS Decision: The Committee adopted the agenda and the proposed order of agenda items.
2. APPROVAL OF DRAFT MINUTES FROM THE SCPAR-MEETING IN WHITEHORSE 9 AND 10 SEPTEMBER 2014 Decision: The Committee approved the minutes from the SCPAR meetings in Whitehorse 9 and 10 September 2014.
3. THE ARCTIC STRATEGY OF FINLAND Mr. Erkki Tuomioja, Foreign Minister of Finland, noted the growing interest for the Arctic all around the world. The Arctic Council opened up to new observers at the Ministerial meeting in 2013 which was an important decision to keep the Arctic Council the main forum for Arctic cooperation. Climate change the most important factor for increased attention for the Arctic. The background is very worrying but it also opens new opportunities. With the melting ice we are close to a tipping point in the Arctic. There is a new sense of urgency to deal with the issue of climate change. New EU objectives for climate change, deal between China and the US and international negotiations in the IPCCC are positive but not enough. Climate change in the Arctic should be highlighted at the COP 21 meeting in Paris 2015. The economic opportunities are another key factor. 200 billion euros over the next 10 years is expected to be invested in the region. With regards to the economic activities it will be important to prevent accidents and pollution. Arctic Council will be 20 years in 2016. In that connection we should have analyzes of the Arctic Council and the future needs. The cooperation in the Arctic Council has been very fruitful. The Arctic is conflict free and we must keep it that way. Despite increased international tension over the situation in Ukraine, everyone has a clear interest to keep only circumpolar cooperation working. The EU does much Arctic research and has substantial knowledge to address the challenges of the region. As for EU observer status in the Arctic Council there should be a solution at the Ministerial meeting in April 2015. Russia has however voiced some reservations regarding granting the EU observer status. The Arctic Economic Council was founded in Iqalluit in September 2014. It is a business to business forum, independent and a partner for dialogue for the Arctic Council. Finally, Minister Toumioja commented on the conference statement from Whitehorse. He noted the many good proposals and the importance of participation of indigenous peoples as Permanent Participants in the Arctic Council. The preparations for the Finnish chairmanship of the Arctic Council in 2017 – 2019 have started. On questions from the Committee the Minister noted that a possible Arctic summit in 2016 needs to be well prepared and useful where the international situation must be taken into consideration. As for special events in 2016, the Mr. Tuomioja was open for proposals, but possible new Arctic agreements in addition to an Arctic summit are possibilities. The members of the Committee agreed to keep the Arctic as an area of cooperation. As for the topic of strengthening the Arctic Council the Minister would like to see a stronger basis for the Arctic Council. Finally Mr. Tuomioja was positive to the proposed agenda for the US Chairmanship of the Arctic Council. Decision: The Committee took note of the information.
4. CULTURAL COOPERATION IN THE BARENTS REGION AND NORTHERN DIMENSION POLICY Ms. Maija Lummepuro, Counsellor for Cultural Affairs, Ministry of Education and Culture, informed the Committee about the cultural cooperation within the Barents Euro-Arctic Council (BEAC) and the Northern Dimension Partnership on Culture (NDPC). Finland is the current Chair of BEAC. The cultural cooperation in the Barents region has existed for a long time. In 1993 the Ministers of Culture met in Kirkenes, Norway, to formalize the cooperation between Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia in the Barents region. In addition to the national level cooperation, there is the regional cooperation between the northernmost regions in Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia. The regional cooperation reports to the national level. A strategy for Barents cultural cooperation from 2014 – 2018 has been agreed upon. In 2015 the new program “Barents cultural initiative incubator” will start. The Barents cooperation has been a successful cooperation with projects on many areas, including theatres, libraries, indigenous peoples, languages and more. Keywords have been coherence, continuation and continuity. The NDPC started in 2010 and has its regional focal point in creative industries. There is a close cooperation and dialogue with NDPC and EU programs. It has created meeting places and forums, and studies of possible cooperation. On question from the Committee Ms Lummepuro noted that there is no special working group on Arctic cultural cooperation, but cooperation happens in different parts of the Arctic region, also on grass root level with people to people contacts. On the question of what kind of projects that would be suitable for Arctic cooperation, she noted that it would be best to involve the grass root level – people to people – who create projects together which they consider relevant and important. The countries need to provide and support the fundament and basis for the cooperation. Institution based cooperation is the next step with possible working groups, regional and national together to exchange information, plan and discuss priorities with the people working in the sector. Success of the projects is easier to measure on bi-lateral projects than multilateral projects. Members of the Committee noted that the strong northern cultures contains significant knowledge on how to survive in the environment they’re in. It is important to use the local culture and cooperation to deal with the environmental and economic changes in the Arctic. Student exchange is important to share experiences and as cultural cooperation. An adaptation portal is another way sharing information across the borders. Ms Lummepuro noted that the creative sector, cultural and creative industries, should be seen together and use synergies in the region. Decision: The Committee took note of the information and will at the next meetings look at cultural cooperation in the entire Arctic region.
5. THE USE OF BIOENERGY IN FINLAND Deputy Director General Timo Ritonummi, Energy Department, Ministry of Employment and the Economy informed the Committee about cleantec and the use of bioenergy in Finland. In 2013, wood fuels biggest energy provider in Finland. 38% of the Finnish energy consumption in 2020 shall come from renewable energy and 50 % of the renewable shall come from sustainable forestry in Finland. In Finland, 1/3 of the energy comes from renewable resources. The Finnish energy market is open. The district heating covers half of the space heating in Finland. On question from the Committee it was noted that wood chips was provided both from state owned forest and privately owned forest. All what is left from the production in the forest industry is used for production of wood chips. Private owners are the biggest owner of forests in Finland. Some wood is also imported from Russia. Fortum is the biggest actor on the industry side. Regarding cooperation across the boarders the Mr. Ritonummi noted that there is cooperation within the EU. Representatives from the Finnish delegation informed the Committee that Finland next month will vote on whether or not to build a new nuclear power plant. Finland has also created a roadmap for energy in 2050. It includes the EU 2020 targets, but also own targets such as the decision of Helsinki to go from coal to use of more forests and more renewable energy. Export of cleantech from Finland will also be enhanced. Decision: The Committee took note of the information.
6. ARCTIC ECONOMIC COUNCIL Mr. René Söderman, Counsellor, Department for Europe, Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, informed the Committee about the establishment and structure of the Arctic Economic Council. The Arctic Economic Council was established in September 2014 as an independent body. The establishment was facilitated by the Canadian Chairmanship of the Arctic Council and is now a circumpolar business forum. The main idea is to help shape sustainable Arctic economies by sharing best practices, technological solutions, and work with standards etc. The Arctic Economic Council shall cooperate closely with the Arctic Council and be the business voice of the Arctic. Working groups for the following business areas will be established: infrastructure, energy, mining, tourism, fishing, human resources and capacity building. The AEC shall focus on traditional and local knowledge and small businesses. It has 42 business representatives appointed by the eight Arctic states and the 6 permanent participants. The president is from Canada and Vice-Presidents from Finland and the USA. Decision: The Committee took note of the information.
7. EU ARCTIC INFORMATION CENTRE Professor Paula Kankaanpää presented the EU Arctic Information Centre and strategic assessment in the assessment they have produced. Information and knowledge are the most important factors for implementation of sustainable development policies. The EUAIC has 19 partners around Europe and will provide access to information, exchange and collect research and outreach to relevant stakeholders. The Strategic Environmental Impact Assessment of Development in the Arctic was test case for the EU Arctic information Centre. Within the timeframe from December 2012 to September 2014 with one million euros was the assessment produced. An Arctic communication from the Commission is expected in 2015. A final decision on the establishment of the center should come then. On question from the Committee professor Kankaanpää noted that the EU is already spending large sums on Arctic research and that this Artic information center can function for a small amount of money – 3-4 million euros a year. This depends on the level of ambitions. There is also a dilemma in the aim of being cross sectorial and the need of getting financing from source in the European Commission, but the getting funding from the environmental directorate is the most realistic. Decision: The Committee took note of the information
8. EVALUATION OF THE 11th CONFERENCE OF PARLIAMENTARIANS OF THE ARCTIC REGION IN WHITEHORSE 9-11 SEPTEMBER 2014 The participants took note of the report from the Secretary General. The conference in Whitehorse was very well organized and the feedback on the adopted conference statement has been positive. The Chair underlined the importance of a variety in background for speakers addressing the conference. A Conference report from the Conference in Whitehorse produced by the Canadian Parliament is available on the internet. Decision: The Committee takes note of the report and the evaluation.
9. STATUS OF THE WORK OF SCPAR Canada reported on the establishment of the High Arctic research station in Churchill. The construction has started and it will open 1 July 2017. The Vice-Chair of SCPAR Mr. Bevington reported from the SAO meeting in Yellowknife in October. The Arctic Council is involved in a wide range of activities, including black carbon which is equally important to other parts of the world and to the work in the IPCC. The presentation of the U.S. chairmanship program for 2015 – 2017 was interesting with an emphasis on climate change, renewable energy and economic development. The presentation, given by Mr. Bevington at the SAO meeting on the main results from the CPAR in Whitehorse, was well received as more visionary than the ordinary work of the Arctic Council. Norway and the Chair of the Committee informed about the letter he has sent to the different Ministers of Foreign Affairs with the Conference Statement from Whitehorse attached. The Chair has also had meetings in the European Parliament and attended the Arctic Circle in Iceland. The Norwegian government has recently presented a new strategy for the High North. Finland noted that they also have conveyed the conference statement from Whitehorse to the Finnish government. The delegation did also have a meeting with governmental representatives in advance of the SAO meeting in Yellowknife. Sweden informed about the new government after the elections in September 2014. Climate change and adaptation to climate change are important policy items for the new government. Saami Parliamentary Council informed about the upcoming establishment of a Saami secretariat in Brussels. SPC will seek membership in the Nordic Council and the Arctic Council. The Saami representative also reported about tensions regarding the use of land which the Saamis traditionally have used and where new activities are starting without consultations with the Saami community in advance of the decisions. The Nordic Council reported from the latest session in Stockholm in October 2014 where the Arctic was one of the items on the agenda. A new Arctic program from 2015 - 2017 was agreed upon with around 8 million Danish kroner in a yearly budget. The West-Nordic Council reported from the latest annual meeting in September where it was decided that the West-Nordic Countries shall develop a common Arctic strategy. The West-Nordic theme conference will be in Asiaat in the end of January 2015 and it will be about the Arctic and the West-Nordic countries. The West-Nordic Council hosted a session at the Arctic Circle conference in Reykjavik. Russia reported on the work to implement the Arctic strategy of Russia. President Putin has also appointed Mr. Shtyrov as a new special representative for the Arctic. Iceland noted with appreciation that the EU and Canada has found a solution to the conflict around seal products. The Arctic Circle Assembly was recently organized in Reykjavik and gathered 1400 participants from 34 countries, and just in advance there was a conference on gender equality. Decision: The Committee took note of the information.
10. NEXT MEETINGS OF SCPAR The next meeting of SCPAR will be in Washington, D.C. 10-11 March 2015. The dates will be confirmed in the beginning of January. Decision: The Committee welcomed the invitation by the U.S. delegation to meet in Washington D.C. 10-11 March 2015.
11. ANY OTHER BUSINESS There was no other business.
CONFERENCE OF PARLIAMENTARIANS OF THE ARCTIC REGION THE STANDING COMMITTEE OF PARLIAMENTARIANS OF THE ARCTIC REGION SCPAR MEETING IN HELSINKI 20 November 2014
List of participants
MEMBERS
CONFERENCE OF PARLIAMENTARIANS OF THE ARCTIC REGION THE STANDING COMMITTEE OF PARLIAMENTARIANS OF THE ARCTIC REGION Seminar on Security in the Arctic 20 November 2014
List of participants
MEMBERS
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