By Canadian Press

Arctic co-operation and study must continue despite Russian attack in: U.S. envoy

Mar 7, 2022 | 1:03 PM

A top United States government official says there are plenty of issues to keep like-minded Arctic nations busy after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine forced seven of them to pause their participation in the international body that looks after the region. 

But U.S. Co-ordinator for the Arctic Region James DeHart says there’s no clear path forward for reconvening the Arctic Council after all of its members refused last week to work with Russia.

The Arctic Council, formed of the countries that ring the North Pole, is a major sponsor of scientific research and has led to important treaties on pollution prevention and maritime safety. 

DeHart says issues such as climate change are still pressing and northern nations have to find a way to ensure research into its effects continues.

He says Canada and the U.S. also have other Arctic issues to work on, including modernizing their early-warning systems in the North and developing supplies of critical minerals such as lithium, used in batteries.

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DeHart says the seven countries that chose to pause their participation in the council agreed to do so quickly and easily, with all Arctic officials expressing “revulsion” for Russia’s war on Ukraine. 

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 7, 2022. 

The Canadian Press