Arctic Politics Questions
The Arctic Council is an intergovernmental forum consisting of eight Arctic states (Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden, and the United States) and six indigenous organizations representing Arctic indigenous peoples. Its role in Arctic governance is to promote cooperation, coordination, and interaction among its member states and indigenous organizations on issues related to sustainable development and environmental protection in the Arctic region. The Arctic Council facilitates dialogue, conducts scientific research, and provides recommendations to member states on various matters, including climate change, resource management, and indigenous rights. However, it does not have legal authority or decision-making power, serving primarily as a platform for information exchange and policy coordination.