Arctic Council observer states gathered in Warsaw for key discussions

On 6 June, the observer states of the Arctic Council gathered in Warsaw, Poland for what has become known as the Warsaw Format Meeting. This meeting, established in 2010, serves as a platform to exchange views among the Arctic Council observer states and the EU and to allow open exchange with the Arctic Council chairmanship. The 2024 meeting covered significant topics and showcased active participation from various organizations, including WWF.

Key points of the agenda included:

• The Norwegian chairship’s Wildland Fires Initiative
• A discussion on experiences with climate change and the cryosphere
• Gender equality, diversity and inclusion in the Arctic during Norway’s chairship.
• Cooperation between observers.

As a long-standing, and very active observer organization, the WWF Global Arctic Programme was invited to join the meeting as a guest speaker, and share thoughts on the potential of extending cooperation between observers.

Role of observers in the Arctic Council

Within the Arctic Council, all decisions are the exclusive right and responsibility of the Arctic States and Permanent Participants. The key purpose of being an observer of the Arctic Council is the opportunity to observe the work of, and engage with the eight Arctic states and six Permanent Participants of the Arctic Council in specific projects and thematic discussions, and to help the Arctic Council implement its strategic plan. Currently, WWF is co-lead on six different projects, an active member of several working groups and expert groups, and contributes to a variety of other projects and initiatives.

Collaborative efforts and research

There is a lot that observer states and organizations can do together around research, bringing in their respective capacities and areas of expertise towards finding viable solutions that will benefit both Arctic nature and the people that are part of it. One of the key considerations is how research questions are formulated. How do we ensure that knowledge generation in the Arctic includes Indigenous perspectives, and addresses the questions that those who know the Arctic most intimately, are asking? WWF reminded participants of their responsibility to ensure inclusion of Indigenous Knowledge and scientific research.

Influence of multilateral fora and frameworks

Outside of the Arctic Council, there are several multilateral fora and frameworks that influence the Arctic, where decisions are made by a much wider group of states. Examples include:

• United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
• Convention on Biological Diversity Conference of the Parties (CBD)
• Central Arctic Ocean Fisheries Agreement
• High Seas Treaty
• International Maritime Organization (IMO)
• The Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic (OSPAR), which protects the marine environment of the North-East Atlantic.

Some observer organizations, including WWF, participate in these fora as well, but observer states, in particular, have the mandate and opportunity to directly contribute to strengthening the stewardship of the Arctic Ocean through their wider international engagement.