Finland ready to collaborate with Russia on Arctic Council initiatives

Finland views the resumption of Arctic Council activities, including the participation of Russian representatives in working groups, as a positive development.

Petteri Vuorimäki, Finland's Ambassador for Arctic and Antarctic Affairs, shared this perspective with Russian media, as per Caliber.Az.

He acknowledged that while the Arctic Council is still far from resuming its full range of operations and cooperation, it remains functional and capable of making decisions.

"We are not yet back to normal operations that would allow the Arctic Council to work at full capacity," Vuorimäki noted. "However, it is encouraging that the Council is operational, making decisions, and moving forward."

Vuorimäki reported that interactions with Russian representatives have been "quite positive," with working groups meeting two or three times annually. He mentioned that virtual meetings, which began in the spring and summer, are still being evaluated for their effectiveness.

He emphasized the importance of Russia's involvement in addressing global climate issues, stating, "Addressing climate challenges, which pose a significant threat worldwide, cannot be accomplished without Russia's participation."

The work of the Arctic Council was suspended on March 3, 2022; in autumn 2023, participants resumed written communication. In February 2024, it was decided to resume working groups, including Russia, in the format of online meetings. The first meetings were held in the spring and summer of 2024.

The Arctic Council is an intergovernmental organisation of the Arctic states. Its members are Denmark (together with Greenland and the Faroe Islands), Canada, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden, and the United States.