Carleton University hosts groundbreaking dialogue on Canadian, Russian and Norwegian Co-operation in the Arctic The The first trilateral conference “Canada/Russia/Norway: Dialogue and Cooperation in the Arctic” involving the most active Arctic countries for whom the Arctic is home, was held in Ottawa on May 26-27, 2011.
It drew over 100 dignitaries, regional officials, researchers and businessmen. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Norway Espen Barth Eide, Russian representative to the Arctic Council, Ambassador at Large Anton Vasiliev, assistant deputy minister of the Canadian Northern Affairs Organization Janet King, and Russian Deputy Minister of regional development Alexander Viktorov were among their number.
Russian experts Director of the Centre of Northern and Arctic economics, Ministry of Economic Development Alexander Pelyasov; Director of the World Ocean Centre, Ministry of Economic Development Alexey Konovalov and Deputy Director of the Severtsov Institute of the Ecological and Evolution Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences Vyacheslav Rozhnov delivered their reports on the various topics during the discussions.
- The first panel “Best practices for dialogue and cooperation in the Arctic” was devoted to the mechanisms fostering the dialogue between Canada, Russia and Norway. Russian and Canadian officials announced that they would follow the Russian-Norwegian example of cooperation, and that the first step in this direction would be cutting the distance between the countries.
- The second panel “Being an Arctic Ocean Coastal State – challenges and opportunities developing best practices for circumarctic transportation” raised the issues of marine transportation in the Arctic (including search and rescue), resource development and cooperation to respond to an open Arctic environment, as well as the most pressing practical challenges concerning regulation of increased shipping traffic and marine transportation in the northeast and northwest passages.
- The closing panel of the first day of the conference “Best practices for eco-system based management in the Arctic” focused on the implications of the changing climate in the Arctic including the degradation of permafrost on land, and the opportunities of increased use of oceans for shipping and fishing. In this context experts discussed best practices undertaken by Norway, Russia and Canada on Ecosystem based management. The panel also considered specific challenges to sustainable development of the region’s vast energy resources such as environmental offshore drilling and the possibility for accurate risk assessment.
Day two of the conference saw international experts, businessmen and regional officials discuss practical steps and projects including the construction of a new international cargo hub in Krasnoyarsk for transpolar flights, a sea bridge between Murmansk and Churchill, and the need to establish closer ties between Russia and Canada. Such steps will not only serve the two countries’ political needs, they will also reduce distances for international trade and promote ecotourism.
The conference was organized by the Carleton University together with the Valdai Discussion Club and in cooperation with Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC), Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada (DFAIT) and National Defence and Canadian Forces (DND). It was supported by the Magna Fund for Russian Studies, Kinross Gold Corporation, Norwegian and Russian Embassies in Ottawa.
The obstacles to international cooperation in the Arctic must melt faster – 6 June 2011
By Valdai Club
On May 26-27, Carleton University of Ottawa hosted the two day conference Canada, Russia, Norway: Dialogue and Cooperation in the Arctic.
It was the first trilateral conference involving the most active Arctic countries and their partners, for whom the Arctic is home. It drew over 100 dignitaries, regional officials, researchers and businessmen. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Norway Espen Barth Eide, Russian representative to the Arctic Council, Ambassador at Large Anton Vasiliev, assistant deputy minister of the Canadian Northern Affairs Organization Janet King, and Russian Deputy Minister of regional development Alexander Viktorov were among their number. Read More…>
Canada/Russia/Norway: Dialogue, and Cooperation in the Arctic – Development of the best international practices
Carleton University, with support from Norwegian and Russian Embassies in Ottawa with cooperation with INAC, DFAIT, DND, Valdai Club (Russia).
Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada May 26 and 27, 2011
This two day event is organized by Carleton University with support from Norwegian and Russian Embassies in Ottawa with cooperation with INAC, DFAIT, DND, Valdai Club (Russia).
May 26th, 2011 was be devoted to three key issues.
- Best practices for dialogue and cooperation in the Arctic:
This panel was devoted to the discussion of mechanisms to foster bilateral dialogue between Canada and Russia and will also discuss best practices based on successful Norwegian – Russian cooperation in the region. People to people cooperation and accommodation will also be discussed including the aboriginal peoples. - Being an Arctic Ocean Coastal Sate – Challenges and opportunities Developing Best Practices for Circumarctic Transportation:
This panel considered the broad range of issues that involve: marine transportation in the Arctic (including search and rescue), resource development and cooperation to respond to an open Arctic environment. The most pressing practical challenges concern regulation of increased shipping traffic and marine transportation in the northeast and northwest passages will be discussed as well. - Best practices for eco-system based management in the Arctic:
This panel focused on the implications of the changing climate in the Arctic including the degradation of permafrost on land, and the opportunities of increased use of oceans for shipping and fishing. In this latter context, what best practices undertaken by Norway, Russia and Canada on Ecosystem based management can be employed to address these challenges? Issue such as – for instance – permafrost land management t will be discussed. The panel will also consider specific challenges to sustainable development of the region’s vast energy resources such as environmental off –shore drilling and the possibility for accurate risk assessment.
May, 27th, 2011
The second day was focused on bilateral Canadian-Russian issues in a form of direct dialogue between Russian and Canadian partners. It will also focus on the role of business and NGOs in the region as well as the specific role of different government departments and universities and academics in both countries.
- Morning session:
Round table on how to sustain Canadian –Russian Dialogue in the Arctic. - Afternoon session:
Canadian – Russian Business Cooperation and opportunities in the Arctic – Round Table (co-organized with CERBA)