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Non-Arctic State Observers of the Arctic Council: Perspectives and Views

  • Diddy R. M. HitchinsEmail author
Chapter
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Part of the Springer Polar Sciences book series (SPPS)

Abstract

The 1996 Ottawa Declaration establishing the Arctic Council allowed for three categories of Observers within the body: non-Arctic states; intergovernmental and inter-parliamentary organizations and non-governmental organizations that the Arctic Council deemed might contribute to its work. At the first opportunity during the Iqaluit Ministerial in 1998, four non-Arctic state Observers, three intergovernmental and inter-parliamentary organizations, and four non-governmental organizations were admitted as Observers. There are now a total of thirty-nine accredited Observers within the Arctic Council. What has brought about this major increase? Who are these Observers and what roles do they play within the organization? What are their perspectives on the operation of the body and the challenges of leadership within it? Have their roles and perspectives changed over the last four Chairmanships? What have been the nature of their interactions with the Chair? This chapter will endeavor to address each of these questions.

Keywords

Observer Arctic Council Non-Arctic state Working groups Senior Arctic Officials Chairmanship 
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© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2019

Authors and Affiliations

  1. 1.University of Alaska AnchorageAnchorageUSA

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