Commentary on The U. S. Arctic Council Chairmanship Workplan
2021/03/31
abstract
From April 2015 to the spring of 2017, the United States will chair the
Arctic Council (AC). Based on the “National Strategy for the Arctic Region”
issued by the Obama Administration on 10 May 2013, the U.S. government
has announced an ambitious program for its two-year term as chair of
the AC. According to the materials provided by the U.S. Department of
State, the theme of the U.S. chairmanship of the Arctic Council (AC) is
“One Arctic: Shared Opportunities, Challenges and Responsibilities,” a
formulation which recognizes the peaceful and stable nature of the Arctic.1
Up till now, the United States has developed an ambitious and balanced
program for its chairmanship. Just as Young has pointed out, most of
those who have commented on this program have focused on what the
U.S. describes as “thematic areas,” including the impacts of climate change,
stewardship of the Arctic Ocean, and economic and living conditions in
the Arctic.2
According to the U.S. official document, “improving economic
and living conditions” comes first and “addressing the impacts of climate
change” comes last but not least.
author：
Ye Jiang
Ye Jiang