Canada and the EU: like-minded partners in the Arctic
In this spirit, the Delegation of the European Union to Canada, in partnership with the Canadian Global Affairs Institute, hosted Europe and Canada: Tackling Arctic Challenges Together, a webinar that brought together more than 250 participants. The webinar provided an open forum for timely exchanges on the growing strategic importance of the Arctic, the challenges faced in the region and ways to strengthen regional and multilateral cooperation.
Moderated by H.E. Hanne Fugl Eskjaer, Ambassador of Denmark to Canada, the event featured high-level guest speakers, including H.E. Michael Mann, EU Ambassador at Large for the Arctic, Mr. David Sproule, Senior Arctic Official and Director General for the Arctic, Eurasian, and European Affairs, Global Affairs Canada, and H.E. Jon Elvedal Fredriksen, Ambassador-designate of Norway to Canada.
Dr. Christian Burgsmüller, EU Delegation Chargé d’affaires, and Mr. Colin Robertson, Vice-President of the Canadian Global Affairs Institute, offered opening remarks. The event wrapped up with concluding remarks by Mr. Robert Hage, Canadian Global Affairs Institute fellow.
During the webinar, Ambassador Mann detailed the EU’s ongoing work as a major contributor to Working Groups under the Arctic Council and a leader in the fight against global warming. He described the EU’s Arctic Policy - currently under review – and the rationale behind its three pillars: climate and environmental protection, sustainable development and international cooperation. Ambassador Mann outlined the important role of Indigenous communities as partners in the Arctic and highlighted the importance of connectivity and economic development benefitting the people who live in the Arctic.
The audience also had the opportunity to learn more about Canada’s new Canadian Arctic Strategy. The webinar demonstrated a substantial degree of convergence in approaches between Canada, the EU and Norway on Arctic policy.
