The Standing Committee held its second meeting this year, in Greenland 16. – 18th May. Committee visited in Sisimiut and in Kagerlussuag to familiarize with current affairs in Greenland and especially regarding the Arctic.
The Standing Committee held its second meeting this year, in Greenland 16. – 18th May. Committee visited in Sisimiut and in Kagerlussuag to familiarize with current affairs in Greenland and especially regarding the Arctic. Themes for the committee’s discussions ranged from climate change reseach and vocational training to education and search and rescue capabilities.
As Arctic is becoming more international topic, it was seen important that the voices of the people living there should be better heard. Host of the Greenlandic meeting, Ms. Aaja Chemnitz-Larsen highlighted that people must be included when the Arctic is being developed. The same theme was visible in Mr. Sivertsens remarks, when he noted that it is people living in the Arctic who have to have the chance to take part in the decisions of their future.
As the committee is soon celebrating its 25th anniversary, the discussion of the work of the committee and its visibility was also on the agenda. According to the Chair of the Committee, Mr. Eirik Sivertsen, it is relevant that the committee now starts to work to improve its effectiveness and its visibility. “The committee has had an important role in developing the Arctic Council.