GRU, Alm.del - 2024-25 - Bilag 78: Kenneth Høegh udnævnt som arktisk ambassadør og programmet for kongerigets formandskab for Arktisk Råd

Grønlandsudvalget 2024-25
GRU Alm.del Bilag 78
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An organic submarine - sperm whale

Norris Niman - Visit Greenland

GRU, Alm.del - 2024-25 - Bilag 78: Kenneth Høegh udnævnt som arktisk ambassadør og programmet for kongerigets formandskab for Arktisk Råd

THE KINGDOM

OF DENMARK’S

CHAIRSHIP

Greenland, Faroe Islands, Denmark

The Kingdom of Denmark consists of Greenland, the Faroe

Islands, and Denmark, and will be referred to as the Chair-

ship.

The Chairship is honored to chair the Arctic Council for the

second time. As Chair, we will work diligently to keep the

Arctic Council vibrant and resilient, first and foremost for the

Indigenous Peoples and inhabitants of the Arctic so that the

Arctic remains a region of stability and constructive coop-

eration.

An overall ambition will be to have an inclusive Chairship and

to bring the work of the Arctic Council close to the peoples

and citizens living in the region who must have an impact

on the activities in the region, particularly on how sustaina-

ble development is interpreted and advanced. Recognizing

that Indigenous Knowledge and perspectives are essential to

understanding and managing changes in the Arctic, strong

integration of Indigenous Knowledge alongside scientific in-

sights in the work of the Arctic Council will be a priority.

A special focus will be given to advancing sustainable de-

velopment in Arctic communities and economic empower-

ment of Indigenous Peoples.

The Chairship will continue to support ongoing activities and

GRU, Alm.del - 2024-25 - Bilag 78: Kenneth Høegh udnævnt som arktisk ambassadør og programmet for kongerigets formandskab for Arktisk Råd

projects run by the Council’s six Working Groups and its Ex-

pert Group on Black Carbon and Methane. The Arctic Coun-

cil Strategic Plan 2021-2030, adopted in 2021 in Reykjavik,

sets a clear direction for the work of the Council. The Stra-

tegic Plan will be our compass, guiding the entire Chairship

2025-2027.

We will build on previous efforts to promote cross-cutting

cooperation and joint projects between the subsidiary bod-

ies, thereby enhancing synergies and holistic approaches.

The five thematic priorities of the Chairship are important

national priorities while at the same time being in conform-

ity with the Strategic Plan:

Indigenous Peoples and Communities

of the Arctic

Sustainable Economic Development

and Energy Transition Solutions

Oceans

Climate change in the Arctic

Biodiversity

September 2026 will mark the Arctic Council’s 30th anni-

versary. We will strive to strengthen the Council for its fourth

decade and beyond.

GRU, Alm.del - 2024-25 - Bilag 78: Kenneth Høegh udnævnt som arktisk ambassadør og programmet for kongerigets formandskab for Arktisk Råd

INDIGENOUS PEOPLES

AND COMMUNITIES OF

THE ARCTIC

Interest in Arctic sustainable development, regardless of the in-

terpretation of the concept, has been a major area for growth in

the Council’s activities. The Chairship will continue to focus on the

human dimension of the Arctic Council with a particular focus on

strengthening the participation of Indigenous Peoples and the in-

clusion of Indigenous Knowledge.

Strengthen the engagement of Indigenous Peoples in the

work of the Arctic Council.

The Chairship will work to ensure that the Permanent Par-

ticipants play a strong and integral role in the Arctic Coun-

cil’s decision-making process through active participation

and full consultation. The cultures of the Indigenous Peo-

ples originate from and constitute an important part of the

uniqueness of the Arctic.

Medical preparedness and supply chains

The Chairship will encourage closer cooperation regarding

medical supply lines in the Arctic with the aim of improving

capabilities for preventing, handling, and preparing for med-

ical emergencies. We will engage with Arctic communities

and empower them to be able to provide robust responses

to unforeseen emergencies.

Emphasis on engaging Youth in the work of the Arctic

Council

The Chairship will work to promote the engagement of Arc-

tic youth in all agendas of the Arctic Council and support in-

itiatives by Permanent Participants to increase and support

youth involvement in the Arctic Council. The Chairship will

continue the initiative taken by Norway to emphasize the

involvement of the youth.

Health/Mental health of Indigenous Peoples

The Chairship will work with all members, Permanent Partic-

ipants and Observers of the Arctic Council to address holistic

health approaches with regard to Indigenous Peoples.

We will continue to support the Sustainable Development

Working Group’s (SDWG) role in advancing human health

approaches to benefit all Arctic Council Working Groups. We

will further advance the next iteration of the Local2Global

project, including proactive and hands-on activities to con-

nect Arctic Indigenous Peoples in order to advance the goal

of promoting mental health, suicide prevention strategies

and the empowerment of Arctic Indigenous Peoples’ youth

and communities.

Promote the work on gender equality

Promoting gender equality is a necessary step in fostering

gender equal and socially sustainable Arctic societies. The

Chairship will address gender equality challenges unique to

the Arctic and aims to follow-up on some of the key recom-

mendations emerging from the Pan-Arctic Report, Gender

Equality in the Arctic, Phase 3, welcomed in the Reykjavik

Declaration 2021, and support the activities of the Perma-

nent Participants related to gender equality. The aforemen-

tioned report specifically acknowledges the need to address

the lack of data on youth migration, health and crime i.e. the

extent of violent acts and systemic discrimination commit-

ted against Indigenous women as a central prerequisite for

advancing gender equality in the Arctic.

GRU, Alm.del - 2024-25 - Bilag 78: Kenneth Høegh udnævnt som arktisk ambassadør og programmet for kongerigets formandskab for Arktisk Råd

Two boys hunting the small fish ammassat with rocks

on the beach in Illorsuit in Greenland

Photo by Mads Pihl - Visit Greenland

GRU, Alm.del - 2024-25 - Bilag 78: Kenneth Høegh udnævnt som arktisk ambassadør og programmet for kongerigets formandskab for Arktisk Råd

SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC

DEVELOPMENT AND

ENERGY TRANSITION

SOLUTIONS

People living in the Arctic have a natural and particular interest

in activities occurring in the Arctic and how sustainable econom-

ic development is advanced in a balanced manner with respect for

different Arctic ways of life. The Chairship will dedicate efforts and

attention towards sustainable economic development, with a goal

of ensuring that initiatives in this field are being led by the Peoples

of the Arctic for the benefit of all Arctic inhabitants with a particular

focus on Indigenous Peoples.

Northern Lights over the hydropower plant

powerlines outside Nuuk

Photo by Mads Pihl - Visit Greenland

Sustainable Economic Development

A dedicated focus on sustainable economic development

aligns with the Arctic Council’s Strategic Plan (2021-2030).

The Chairship will undertake an assessment of the economic

development needs within Arctic communities. In order to

promote this priority, efforts will be made and attention will

be given towards sustainable economic development within

GRU, Alm.del - 2024-25 - Bilag 78: Kenneth Høegh udnævnt som arktisk ambassadør og programmet for kongerigets formandskab for Arktisk Råd

the region, with a clear goal of ensuring that initiatives re-

garding economic development in the Arctic are conducted

according to frameworks determined by the peoples of the

Arctic, for the Peoples of the Arctic, and thus directly ben-

efiting the communities and the Peoples of the Arctic. The

Chairship will focus on present and future economic activi-

ties and sustainable economic cooperation with non-Arctic

partners, guided by the aforementioned principles.

The initiatives will cover a wide range of areas, from the

more traditional Arctic occupations within hunting/harvest-

ing, fishing, forestry, agriculture and animal husbandry to

offshore industry, energy transition, mining and tourism. The

approach will be economic development seen from, but not

limited to, a North-to-North perspective. The Chairship is

planning to organize a workshop/conference in order to ex-

change information, facilitate contact, and provide input for

the assessment of the economic development needs and

to take this agenda further in the work of the Arctic Council.

Connectivity with a focus on communication, transport,

business and trade

Opportunities for inter-connectedness among people in the

Arctic as well as with the rest of the world are key to a pros-

perous and sustainable Arctic. Connectivity between Indig-

enous Peoples and Arctic communities takes place through

communication and transport and through direct coopera-

tion, business, and trade. In this vein, reliable and affordable

telecommunication is essential for Arctic residents in order

to access services and participate in the digital economy.

The Chairship wants to maintain a focus on improving con-

nectivity, building on previous mappings of needs, gaps and

solutions.

Improve knowledge on Blue Bioeconomy

The Chairship will promote the concept of Blue Bioecon-

omy as a cornerstone of sustainable economic develop-

ment in the Arctic, focusing on the responsible use and

management of marine resources to secure long-term

economic benefits while preserving the health and bio-

diversity of marine ecosystems. This will promote eco-

nomic growth, job creation, and environmental sustain-

ability in relation to aquaculture, seaweed farming and

harvesting as well as the responsible utilization of other

living marine resources and will offer numerous oppor-

tunities for sustainable economic development, cooper-

ation in research, and knowledge exchange.

Support Energy Transition Solutions

Funding energy transition solutions in the Arctic is essen-

tial for environmental sustainability and is also crucial for

sustainable development in remote Arctic communities,

reducing carbon emissions and polluting activities while

supporting local economies. Additionally, new technol-

ogies related to alternative fuels, including Power2X, are

of importance due to increasing shipping and industrial

activities in the Arctic. The Chairship will continue to pro-

mote this agenda.

Seaweed aquaculture in Kaldbaksfjørður, Faroe Islands

GRU, Alm.del - 2024-25 - Bilag 78: Kenneth Høegh udnævnt som arktisk ambassadør og programmet for kongerigets formandskab for Arktisk Råd

OCEANS

The Arctic is predominantly covered by oceans. The Arctic oceans are

of immense importance for the people in the Arctic and in particular

Indigenous Peoples and their communities who depend on the health

of the sea for their livelihoods and way of life. Ongoing warming

and the reduction of sea ice call upon us to step up monitoring de-

velopments and to identify the drivers of change thereby enhancing

predictability and effective management of the changing marine

environment.

Ocean Conference

The Chairship will organize an international Ocean confer-

ence dedicated to Sub Arctic and High Arctic connectivity

emphasizing implications for biodiversity and migrating

species, climate change impacts, pollutant transport, and

the movement of species between regions, including move-

ment of invasive species to the High Arctic. The conference

will also highlight the significance of sustainable manage-

ment practices for the Arctic marine environment, reinforc-

ing the importance of responsible Arctic marine monitoring

and governance. The aim is to facilitate knowledge exchange

initiatives and connect research findings and Indigenous

Knowledge with a view to establishing best practices. The

Ocean conference will be aligned with the Ocean Decade

agenda.

Area-based Conservation Measures and spatial planning

tools

The Chairship will support the ongoing work on providing an

overview of the current range and understanding of inter-

national and national criteria used for identification of Oth-

er Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OECM) in

the Arctic. This work will lead to an exchange of information

among Arctic countries on the information and application

of OECMs. The Chairship will further focus on ways to devel-

op tools related to marine spatial planning that can inform

national as well as cross-country collaboration related to

marine governance and conservation measures. These ac-

tivities include work related to the ecosystem-based man-

agement approach.

Threats to Arctic Marine Ecosystems and Indigenous Peo-

ples

Global long-range pollutants transported to the Arctic by

air and sea, e.g. per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS),

persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and mercury, are a

threat to the vulnerable Arctic marine ecosystems, animals

and the health of Indigenous People and other Arctic res-

idents who depend on food from marine mammals and a

healthy marine environment. We will continue addressing

these threats in order to get a better knowledge of the lev-

els and effects of the pollutants being of importance for the

Arctic as well as globally.

GRU, Alm.del - 2024-25 - Bilag 78: Kenneth Høegh udnævnt som arktisk ambassadør og programmet for kongerigets formandskab for Arktisk Råd

Research vessel Jákup Sverri, operated by the Faroe

Marine Research Institute

Ólavur Frederiksen

Strengthen cooperation on emergency preparedness and

shipping in the Arctic

The increasing maritime traffic in the Arctic poses height-

ened risks of accidents and pollution in surrounding waters.

Through a workshop, the Chairship will revisit past recom-

mendations for emergency preparedness concerning cruise

ships and passenger vessels operating in the Arctic. The aim

is to assess current response capabilities, future needs and

research gaps to enhance incident preparedness for Arctic

countries, incorporating Indigenous Peoples’ Knowledge and

Arctic communities.

Underwater Noise in the Arctic

Underwater noise pollution from shipping and research ac-

tivities is an increasing threat to the marine environment.

The Chairship will prioritize the ongoing work to understand

the impacts and define management solutions in this area

in accordance with the ecosystem-based management ap-

proach.

Focus on Marine Litter including Micro-plastics

The Chairship will work for a comprehensive follow-up of

the Implementation Plan for the Regional Action Plan on

Marine Litter including Micro-plastics in the Arctic.

GRU, Alm.del - 2024-25 - Bilag 78: Kenneth Høegh udnævnt som arktisk ambassadør og programmet for kongerigets formandskab for Arktisk Råd

CLIMATE CHANGE IN

THE ARCTIC

Climate change in the Arctic is happening at an unprecedented rate

with the estimated average temperature increase now three times

higher than the global average. As a result, the Arctic inhabitants are

among the first to experience the profound impacts of climate change

firsthand. Climate change significantly impacts Indigenous Peoples

and their communities in the Arctic, affecting their environment,

livelihoods, cultural practices, and overall well-being. Our youth will

inherit the state of our planet. This places a crucial responsibility on

all generations past and present.

Arctic climate change affects all spheres of work being undertaken

by the Arctic Council with huge cross-cutting consequences for Arctic

biodiversity, ecosystems and societies. The Chairship will highlight

climate change trends and address the impacts of climate change on

sustainable development in the Arctic.

Addressing Climate Change and its impacts

High priority will be given to the already undergoing work in

monitoring as well as documenting the biological and phys-

ical climate-related changes in the Arctic. These encompass

changes such as thawing permafrost, melting sea ice, chang-

ing biodiversity and ecosystems together with the many

effects on Indigenous Peoples and Arctic communities, in-

cluding human health and well-being, culture, livelihoods,

GRU, Alm.del - 2024-25 - Bilag 78: Kenneth Høegh udnævnt som arktisk ambassadør og programmet for kongerigets formandskab for Arktisk Råd

and economy, infrastructure as well as ecosystem services

and food systems. An update report on climate change in

the Arctic will be prepared during the Chairship.

Shape action in other regional and international fora

We will support increased collaboration among and between

the Arctic Council and Observer States to ensure that Arctic

circumstances, including the circumstances of Arctic Indige-

nous Peoples, are brought to bear in global negotiations to

mitigate and adapt to climate change, most prominently in

the negotiations that take place under the UNFCCC.

The Chairship will also advocate for upholding the rights of

Indigenous Peoples in our engagement with other regional

and international fora throughout our Chairship term.

Focus on Black Carbon and Methane

The Chairship will continue the important work on short-

lived climate pollutants with strong warming and health

related effects. The work will focus on sharing best practic-

es and advocating reductions in emissions of black carbon

(soot) and methane.

Spectacular shape of melting icerberg in the summer

Photo by Aningaaq R Carlsen - Visit Greenland

GRU, Alm.del - 2024-25 - Bilag 78: Kenneth Høegh udnævnt som arktisk ambassadør og programmet for kongerigets formandskab for Arktisk Råd

BIODIVERSITY

Biodiversity has been a key priority for the Arctic Council since its

establishment. The Chairship will continue this commitment in line

with the Arctic Council Strategic Plan 2021-2030’s 2nd goal: We will

emphasize collaboration across the Arctic Region to monitor and

assess the status and trends regarding Arctic biodiversity and eco-

systems enabling us to continue to detect and predict changes and

provide the best available scientific data and Indigenous Knowledge

for governance.

ments and conservation groups, working to harmonize and

integrate efforts to monitor Arctic biodiversity. Special fo-

cus will be given to produce assessments and updates to

the State of the Arctic Biodiversity Reports. Furthermore,

the Chairship will support the development of new strate-

gic guidelines for CBMP. This includes increased alignment

with local, national, and international needs for information,

including in relation to the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodi-

versity Framework indicators.

Enhance knowledge to address Arctic Invasive Alien Spe-

cies

Invasive alien species are one of the major threats to bio-

diversity for both terrestrial environment and the marine

environment. The Chairship will support the important work

to improve the knowledge base and to inspire urgent and

effective action on this topic to protect the Arctic from inva-

sive alien species.

Data policy principles and improved access to and use of

data.

For better access to and the use of data, the Chairship will

continue to support the development of data policy prin-

ciples, including Indigenous Peoples’ Data Sovereignty, to

guide the management of data being used in the work of

the Arctic Council entities. The Chairship will welcome ef-

forts to improve access to user-friendly, up-to-date, and

reliable topographic data for the monitoring, research, and

decision-making processes.

Actions for Arctic Biodiversity

The Chairship will take a leading role with the continued de-

velopment and implementation of the Action Plan for Arctic

Biodiversity 2025-2035. The Action Plan guides and informs

the work of the Arctic Council on biodiversity. The new plan

emphasizes areas for heightened focus and is built around

an alignment with the objectives of the Kunming-Montre-

al Global Biodiversity Framework while the unique Arctic

identity, integrity and specific relevance is maintained. In

addition, the new plan is created to enable Arctic Council´s

work on biodiversity to be aligned with relevant internation-

al biodiversity mechanisms such as the Intergovernmental

Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Ser-

vices (IPBES).

The triple planetary crisis – climate change, pollution and

biodiversity loss

The Chairship will give priority to the triple planetary crisis

by convening events during 2025-2027 with a focus on

addressing key questions to respond to the triple planetary

crisis. The events will bring together scientists, policymakers,

Indigenous Peoples’ representatives, NGOs and others. In

2027, key messages from these events will be addressed at

a conference.

Circumpolar Biodiversity Monitoring Program (CBMP)

High priority will be given to the Circumpolar Biodiversity

Monitoring Program, strengthening the international net-

work of scientists, Indigenous Knowledge holders, govern-

GRU, Alm.del - 2024-25 - Bilag 78: Kenneth Høegh udnævnt som arktisk ambassadør og programmet for kongerigets formandskab for Arktisk Råd

IVE

ITY

SCIENCE

IGE

DGE

GRU, Alm.del - 2024-25 - Bilag 78: Kenneth Høegh udnævnt som arktisk ambassadør og programmet for kongerigets formandskab for Arktisk Råd

THE

THREE

SEALS

Logo – The Three Seals

The three seals do not represent any specific seal species.

Many seals living in Arctic regions, for example, have shorter

flippers than species found further south and the Arctic seals

are specialised to survive in extreme conditions. One of the-

se conditions is cold water and cold air, which allows ice to

form. For some seal species, the formation of ice is crucial,

as seals depend on sea ice as their habitat, where they give

birth to their young.

The Kingdom of Denmark consists of Greenland (Kalaallit

Nunaat/Nunarput), the Faroe Islands, and Denmark. Each of

the three countries has neighbours other than one another,

yet they are all connected by the sea. These three nations

are geographically dispersed, yet still connected. In my in-

terpretation, this is symbolised as movement within a group,

or a family journeying into the future—towards a shared goal

of a better future.

The connection between these countries has historical roots

dating back to the colonial era. Over the years, history has

evolved, and over time, the nations have become connec-

ted through many different bonds.

Photo: Camilla Nielsen

Miki Jacobsen

GRU, Alm.del - 2024-25 - Bilag 78: Kenneth Høegh udnævnt som arktisk ambassadør og programmet for kongerigets formandskab for Arktisk Råd

Puisi / Seal

Survival in the Arctic is, to a great extent, a matter of advan-

ced knowledge. As a Greenlander, I have often wondered

why Inuit culture has frequently been described as ”primi-

tive.” This perception is particularly puzzling when conside-

ring that we have managed to survive in the Arctic without

having a red emergency button to press for help to arrive by

air or sea, as seen in survival shows where people attempt to

live in nature for more than 100 days. We know that most

modern expeditions have succeeded precisely because of

Inuit knowledge of survival in the Far North.

For thousands of years, the Inuit have survived in the Arc-

tic, developing techniques for hunting and moving through

extreme conditions. Especially during the dark and cold sea-

sons, specialised techniques and knowledge are required.

Seal hunting was particularly important for the Inuit. The

hunting tool—the harpoon—was not designed by chance.

The harpoon head was crafted in a way that merged both

functional and spiritual elements. Its shape and details ”mir-

ror” the form of the seal. According to ancient tradition, this

design ensured that the seal’s soul would not be frightened,

as it would recognise the harpoon as another seal. This belief

held that the seal’s soul would return in a new seal, ensuring

the survival of humans.

It can therefore be said that the seal was essential to the

survival of my ancestors. It provided food, clothing, and oil

for lamps.

Today, the situation is different. Like many other cultures,

we have undergone significant development in many respe-

cts. The seal is no longer essential for survival. Despite this,

technological advancements have not changed our percep-

tion of the seal—we still view it as a source of food in a clima-

te where agriculture presents unique challenges.

Graphical technique:

The technical work behind the basic elements of my design

was done with brush and ink—an ancient technique for crea-

ting a graphic expression. Culturally, this is ”new” in Green-

land, however it is an old technique that has been used in

many other ancient cultures.

My primary interest has been in achieving a simple graphic

language and working with light and dark elements and the

balance between them.

For me, the brush allows lines and strokes to come to life by

varying the width of the stroke applied to the surface. In this

process, different tools can be used besides a brush—such as

dry and wet brush techniques, value, tone, and more.

During my time at the School of Applied Arts / The Danish

Design School, I gained a much deeper understanding of

graphics. However, I had already started drawing, sculpting,

and painting at an early stage, as my father was a skilled

draftsman, painter, and ceramicist. As a result, education

and experience blended together early on in my life. I conti-

nue to explore and experiment with my art, discovering new

expressions by mixing different techniques.

I am grateful to have had many distinguished teachers, also

at Eqqumiitsuliornermut Atuarfik—an art school in Nuuk,

Greenland, in the 1980s—and during my studies at Nova

Scotia College of Art and Design in Halifax, Canada.

GRU, Alm.del - 2024-25 - Bilag 78: Kenneth Høegh udnævnt som arktisk ambassadør og programmet for kongerigets formandskab for Arktisk Råd

Fishing spot in Ilulissat

icefjord.

Aningaaq R. Carlsen