The first SAO meeting organized under the Swedish Chairmanship was a success. Approximately 160 people attended the meeting which took place at the Luleå Technical University 8-9 November. Meeting participants were welcomed on Tuesday morning by a personal video greeting from Sweden's Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt. Arctic Council Chair Gustaf Lind then opened the meeting with general information about the goals and working procedures for the Swedish Chairmanship period.
In its first meeting under the Swedish chairmanship, the Arctic Council approved a new project for assessing resilience in the Arctic.
The Arctic is changing very fast in ways that affect its ecosystems and its peoples. Climate change is one concern but rapid social changes and economic changes are happening at the same time.
Just before leaving the SAO-meeting in Luleå, the participants shared their views on the most important outcomes.
Luleå in the North of Sweden is currently hosting the first SAO meeting under the Swedish Chairmanship. After a guided tour on board Oden, an icebreaker also used for scientific expeditions, the participants have now moved to Luleå Technical University for discussions and decision making regarding several research projects.
The Senior Arctic Officials of the Arctic Council will meet in Luleå, Sweden for their first meeting under the Swedish chairmanship. The meeting will take place at the Luleå Technical University on 8-9 November. Approximately 150 participants representing all the Arctic states, Permanent Participants, working groups and observers will gather to discuss the continued and new priorities of the Arctic Council, as described in the Nuuk declaration. Ambassador Gustaf Lind, Chair of the Senior Arctic Officials will chair the meeting.
