Arctic Marine Strategic Plan

REYKJAVIK, Iceland – November 24, 2004 – The Honourable Stéphane Dion, Minister of the Environment, today reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to work with circumpolar governments and Arctic peoples by signing the Ministerial Declaration at the fourth biennial meeting of the Arctic Council. The issues of importance are presented in Arctic Climate Impact Assessment, the Arctic Human Development Report, and the Arctic Marine Strategic Plan.

Co-led by Canada and Iceland, the Arctic Marine Strategic Plan is a coordinating framework intended to improve how the Arctic coastal and marine environment is managed, particularly given the accelerated changes occurring in the north from climate change and the possibility of increased economic activity. The Plan includes four overarching goals:

reduce and prevent marine pollution;
conserve biodiversity and ecosystem functions;
promote the health and prosperity of communities; and
advance sustainable resource use.

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