Arctic Council to Hold Virtual Chairmanship Handover from Norway to Denmark on May 12

On May 12, the Arctic Council will officially transfer the chairmanship from Norway to Denmark, marking a significant transition for the international forum dedicated to cooperation in the Arctic region. This handover will take place virtually due to ongoing geopolitical challenges, particularly following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. #### Shift to Virtual Meetings

In a recent confirmation, the Arctic Council announced that all member components, including Arctic States, Permanent Participants, Working Groups, and Observers, will meet online exclusively for this event. Notably, the chairmanship program presentation scheduled to take place in Nuuk, Greenland, will be livestreamed via the Arctic Council’s official website. However, the chairmanship handover itself will not be live-streamed to the public.

Context of the Chairmanship Handover

Denmark’s upcoming chairmanship occurs amid rising tensions among key stakeholders, particularly between Washington, Greenland, and Copenhagen. These tensions have roots in the rhetoric of the Trump administration, which frequently focused on the potential U.S. acquisition of Greenland.

The council operates with a rotating chairmanship among the eight Arctic nations—Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden, and the United States—and the leadership shifts every two years. As of 2023, Norway has held the chairmanship, prioritizing the restoration of the council's operations, especially concerning critical topics like climate change.

Impact of the Ukraine Conflict

Prior to Russia's military actions, the Arctic Council typically facilitated in-person chairmanship transitions featuring sizeable delegations from each represented nation. However, the ongoing war has significantly affected collaborative efforts within the council. Following the invasion, the seven Western member states initially suspended most of their cooperative engagements with Russia, citing the violation of fundamental principles such as national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

In June 2022, these nations agreed to partially resume specific projects that did not involve Russian participation, acknowledging the need for continued cooperation in addressing various Arctic issues.

Focus Areas for Denmark’s Chairmanship

As Denmark prepares to outline its chairmanship program, it is essential to note that the Arctic Council concentrates on matters related to emergency preparedness, environmental concerns, and sustainable development across the Arctic. The work to identify how best to navigate these challenges, particularly in the context of the resumed participation of Russian experts in working groups, will be crucial over the next two years.

Denmark’s chairmanship will aim to build upon Norway's foundation and further advance collaboration among the eight Arctic nations, while also addressing pressing environmental issues and sustainable development in the region.

This forthcoming virtual transition represents not only a shift in leadership but also a reflection of the complexities involved in Arctic governance amidst changing geopolitical dynamics. The international community will be watching closely as Denmark takes on its new role in leading the Arctic Council.