On April 24, 2015, the eight Arctic nations, six permanent participants and a host of observer organizations and states will gather in Iqaluit, Nunavut, for the biennial Arctic Council Ministerial. This will mark the end of Canada's chairmanship focused on "Development for the People of the North," when the gavel is passed to Secretary of State John Kerry for the U.S. to lead the council for the next two years.
The U.S. has articulated big plans for its chairmanship under three themes: communities, oceans and climate change. Importantly, the State Department also hopes to raise domestic and international awareness of the Arctic while promoting the region as one of peace, stability and international cooperation.
Clearly, this is a time of great anticipation -- the U.S. chairmanship is framed by climate change and increased human activity in the Arctic, challenging geopolitical tensions and heightened global attention. Governance during these times must be flexible, transparent and informed -- the U.S. now has the data it needs to achieve this.
A new public opinion poll released recently by the Munk-Gordon Arctic Security Program in Canada in partnership with the Institute of the North in Alaska provides greater understanding of the region. The results of the poll, which surveyed 10,000 Americans, Canadians, Icelanders, Norwegians, Danes, Swedes, Finns and Russians, point to some hard work ahead.
On average, only about 20 percent of respondents know clearly that there is an Arctic Council. Fewer than 50 percent of respondents in Alaska and northern Canada knew that indigenous peoples had a formal seat at the Arctic Council table through the permanent participants -- the only international organization where such a structure exists. Only 10 percent of respondents in southern Canada knew it was the chair, though numbers were much higher in its north. Forty-five percent of respondents in Nunavut, for example, knew Canada was chair.
The perception of the threat of military conflict in the Arctic in the last year has increased, ranging from 25 percent to 58 percent of respondents depending on which Arctic nation they live in. The Arctic Council's mandate doesn't include military security, but on average more than half of respondents said that it should. However, there remains support for Russia's continued involvement in Arctic cooperation and for negotiation in resolving disputes.
What does this mean for the United States as it takes the chairmanship of the Arctic Council? First, generating domestic awareness of the Arctic and Arctic Council activities will require a sustained campaign that connects with Americans and engages them where they work and play. Second, awareness may not translate into interest. The U.S. focus should be on Alaska and states that have direct interests in the Arctic. Third, if it continues to believe military security should be handled outside the Arctic Council, the U.S. is going to have to step up its efforts to highlight existing security cooperation in the Arctic beyond those auspices. Indeed, it was at American insistence that military issues were explicitly excluded from the council's mandate at its founding. The public, based on the poll, needs greater assurance that this is being addressed effectively. Finally, the chairmanship provides an excellent opportunity to strengthen our cooperation with the Nordic countries, especially Finland, to whom we will pass the chairmanship in 2017. Together we need to keep Russia at the table in the Arctic.
The poll serves as a reminder of the need to align government decision-making with public interest. In a time of increased change, insecurity and activity, it is critical to provide transparent opportunities for inclusive dialogue and action. A significant strength of the Arctic Council is the way in which the indigenous residents of the Arctic are brought to the table as permanent participants. Just as it has fostered consultation with the First Nations, the Arctic Council must seize the opportunity to collaborate with local and regional governments, the private sector and other Arctic stakeholders in order to sustain its relevance in these changing times.
Drue Pearce is a senior policy adviser with Crowell & Moring's Environment & Natural Resources and Government Affairs groups and the chair of the Institute of the North. She served in both houses of the Alaska Legislature from 1984 to 2000, including two terms as Alaska Senate president.
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