The Alaska World Affairs Council hosts regular discussions regarding topics that are important to Alaska. Today, the topic was US Leadership in an Emerging Arctic. The guest speaker was Ambassador David Balton, the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Oceans and Fisheries. The Ambassador was introduced by Lt. Governor Mead Treadwell. The Lt. Governor noted that Ambassador Balton is someone who works to bring people together, treats everyone with respect, and is a strong advocate for Arctic issues.
Ambassador Balton began his presentation stating that a new Arctic is emerging and the Arctic Council members are asking what role they will play in this new environment. The Arctic Council is a high-level intergovernmental forum that addresses issues faced by Arctic governments and the indigenous people of the Arctic. The member states are Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden, and the United States. Member states are closely monitoring the changes to the Arctic, including the thawing of permafrost, melting sea ice and the changes to the way of life of people living above the Arctic Circle.
The changes also include new opportunities for the region. Untapped oil and gas resources are located within the Arctic boundaries. There have also been new developments in shipping routes that pass through Arctic waters. The member states are working to meet these new challenges and many are looking inward to see what their nation believes is important when it comes to the Arctic. Ambassador Balton believes that it is important for the US to look to Alaska for experience and knowledge with these challenges. Alaskans can educate the rest of the nation on issues surrounding Arctic resources and the region.
A problem that the Ambassador discussed was that the US has not adopted the Law of the Sea Convention. This United Nations convention defines the rights and responsibilities of nations in their use of the world’s oceans, establishing guidelines for businesses, the environment, and the management of marine natural resources. The reason this is problematic for the US in relations to the Arctic is it provides challenges for claiming rights to minerals and non-living material on the sea floor, beyond the continental shelf. Many groups agree that adopting the convention would be beneficial for the US, but the Senate has yet to agree to ratify the treaty. Opponents believe that the treaty could lead to an extended taxing authority and that free market principles are not being met, even with the most recent version of the treaty.
There are many issues facing the Arctic region and there are also many groups working together to create sustainable solutions to the challenges. Ambassador Balton believes that the US can play a major role and the current National Strategy for the Arctic Region is a great start to the dialogue that is needed to move forward in the changing environment. According to the Obama administration, the US seeks an Arctic region that is stable and free of conflict, where nations act responsibly in a spirit of trust and cooperation, and where economic opportunities are pursued in a sustainable and responsible manner.
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