RussiaSA国际影视传媒檚 partners on the Arctic Council, including Canada, have pledged to no longer hold meetings following RussiaSA国际影视传媒檚 invasion of Ukraine.

On the morning of March 3, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden and the U.S. issued a joint statement saying they would no longer participate in meetings of the council, particularly in Russia. The Russian Federation currently chairs the council. As of March 3, the councilSA国际影视传媒檚 website still lists Russia as the chair for 2021-23.

The seven nations condemned SA国际影视传媒淩ussiaSA国际影视传媒檚 unprovoked invasion of Ukraine and note the grave impediments to international cooperation, including in the Arctic, that RussiaSA国际影视传媒檚 actions have caused.SA国际影视传媒�

SA国际影视传媒淲e remain convinced of the enduring value of the Arctic Council for circumpolar cooperation and reiterate our support for this institution and its work,SA国际影视传媒� the statement reads.

The Arctic Council is an international forum comprising groups that represent the Indigenous peoples of the Arctic. Both the Arctic Athabaskan Council (AAC) and the GwichSA国际影视传媒檌n Council International (GCI) participate in the council.

Neither the AAC nor the GCI responded to requests for comment prior to publication deadline. However, on Feb. 14, prior to RussiaSA国际影视传媒檚 invasion of Ukraine, the AAC issued a statement calling for Canada, Russia, the United States and Ukraine to respect the rights of the Indigenous Crimean Tatars.

SA国际影视传媒淚t is at the Arctic Council table that international cooperation agreements have been reached that address important areas including climate change, marine pollution, and Arctic scientific study,SA国际影视传媒� the statement reads. SA国际影视传媒淚t also serves as an important global forum working towards agreements committed to sustainable solutions as regions look to future developments in the Arctic.SA国际影视传媒�

AACSA国际影视传媒檚 Canadian chair, Bill Erasmus, said the council is SA国际影视传媒渢he worldSA国际影视传媒檚 only forum where we, as Indigenous People have inclusion at a global level.SA国际影视传媒�