The U.S. Coast Guard will host the eight-nation Arctic Coast Guard Forum Summit October 28-30 at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy Center for Arctic Study and Policy in New London, Conn., where the heads of the coast guards of the eight Arctic States will meet to formally establish the forum through a signing of a Joint Statement.
The Joint Statement formally establishes the operationally-focused, consensus-based organization with the purpose of leveraging collective resources to foster safe, secure and environmentally-responsible maritime activity in the Arctic.
This is the announcement given by the U.S. Coast Guard:
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Coast Guard will host the eight-nation Arctic Coast Guard Forum Summit October 28-30 at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy Center for Arctic Study and Policy in New London, Conn. The heads of the coast guards of Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, the Russian Federation and the United States will meet to formally establish the forum through a signing of a Joint Statement.
WHO: Adm. Paul Zukunft, United States; Assistant Commissioner Julie Gascon, Canada; Lt. Gen. Jaako Kaukanen, Finland; Col. Peter H. Boysen, Denmark; Rear Adm. Georg Kr. Lárusson, Iceland; Commodore Sverre Engeness, Norway; Deputy Director Gen. Anders Kjaersgaard, Sweden; and Adm. Yuri Alekseyev, Russian Federation.
WHAT: The heads of the eight Arctic nations' coast guards will sign a Joint Statement officially establishing the Arctic Coast Guard Forum. Media are invited to attend the signing ceremony, which formally establishes the operationally-focused, consensus-based organization with the purpose of leveraging collective resources to foster safe, secure and environmentally-responsible maritime activity in the Arctic. Video and still photography will be permitted.
WHEN: Friday, Oct. 30, 2015
11 a.m. - Signing Ceremony
11:25 a.m. - Media availability with Chair of the Arctic Coast Guard Forum, Adm. Paul Zukunft, U.S. Coast Guard
11:45 a.m. - Regimental Corps of Cadets Review Honoring the members of the Arctic Coast Guard Forum
Editor's Note: The regimental review previously scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 29 at 4 p.m. has been cancelled.
WHERE: The U.S. Coast Guard Academy, Hamilton Hall (Henriques Room), 31 Mohegan Ave., New London, Conn., 06320.
The intention to formally establish an Arctic Coast Guard Forum was firstly announced during the preliminary meeting of the 8 Arctic Nations at U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, March 25, 2015:
"Citing an increasing need to ensure safety, security, and stewardship of Arctic waters, member countries of the Arctic Council gathered at U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters Wednesday for a two-day Arctic Coast Guard Forum (ACGF) Experts Meeting. The ACGF is a cooperative initiative between nations with shared maritime interests in the Arctic. Membership includes Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, the Russian Federation, and the United States. The ACGF will be an operationally-focused organization that strengthens maritime cooperation and coordination in the Arctic.
The Arctic region is gathering increased global attention due to dynamic geo-political factors such as climate change, permanent ice cover, and intensifying competition for undiscovered resources. Such factors provided context as members came together to reach consensus in organizing the Forum’s operating principles, strategic objectives, and rules of governance. These foundational steps will allow the ACGF to foster the strong partnerships required support safe, secure, and environmentally responsible maritime activity in the Arctic region.
During his recent State of the Coast Guard Address, Commandant Adm. Paul Zukunft addressed the importance of the Coast Guard’s role in the Arctic stating, “Unimpeded access and sustained presence while operating in the Arctic are vital to meet the United States Arctic Strategy. There is a new ocean opening and Coast Guard authorities mandate our presence wherever U.S. national interests require people and ships to operate.”
The member countries will formally establish the Arctic Coast Guard Forum at a Summit at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy’s Center for Arctic Study and Policy this fall."
Source: U.S. Coast Guard