Arctic Council

In light of Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, the Canadian Coast Guard has paused its participation in the Arctic Council, including its position as Chair of the Emergency Response Prevention, Preparedness, and Response working group. We continue to believe there is great value in collaborating with other countries on Arctic maritime search and rescue and environmental response issues.

The Arctic Council is an international forum that enables cooperation across Arctic states and with Indigenous peoples on common issues of sustainable development and environmental protection in the North.

The Canadian Coast Guard is serving as the International Chair of the Emergency Prevention, Preparedness, and Response working group from 2021 to 2023.

The working group aims to prevent and respond to events in the Arctic, such as:

• environmental emergencies
• search and rescue incidents
• natural and manmade disasters
• accidents

It does this by:

• preparing strategies, guidance, and tools
• exchanging information and best practices
• facilitating international response exercises and training

The working group also maintains and implements two international agreements:

• Agreement on Cooperation on Marine Oil Pollution Preparedness and Response in the Arctic (2013)
• Agreement On Cooperation On Aeronautical And Maritime Search And Rescue In The Arctic (2011)